Alright Maier, you want a custom iron blade? Let's hash out the specs before you start drafting your perfect contract.

Alright, here's what you need: blade length 850 mm, width at the base 50 mm tapering to 15 mm at the tip, thickness 18 mm at the spine, 12 mm at the edge; hardness 58 HRC, tempered to 60 HRC; handle wrapped in boiled‑oiled leather over a hardwood core, knuckle guard of steel, grip reinforced with carbon‑fiber inserts. Edge treatment: full‑tang grind with a secondary bevel at 15 degrees for a razor‑sharp finish, followed by a heat‑treat burn‑in cycle at 860 °C, then a protective oil coating. Those are the specs you’ll need to lock in your clause.

Good, but don't think a contract can be a poem. Every metric must be in the text, not just implied. Write “blade length: 850 mm ± 2 mm,” “hardness: 58 HRC ± 1 HRC,” “handle: boiled‑oiled leather over hardwood, dimensions specified,” and “edge treatment: full‑tang grind, 15‑degree secondary bevel, burn‑in at 860 °C.” Include a clause that if any measurement deviates, the piece is rejected. Add a penalty for delayed heat‑treat cycles. That’s the only way it will stand up in court or on a battlefield.

That clause looks tight enough for a contract, but remember the buyer’s “option” is a loophole if they don’t actually test the blade. Add a line that a certified test report must accompany the rejection, or else the penalty applies. Also, be sure the 5 % daily rate caps at 30 % total; otherwise you’ll end up paying more than the blade’s worth. That way the contract’s as uncompromising as the edge itself.