You start by feeling the sword in your hand, seeing where it leans when you hold it, then tweak the hilt and tang. First I make the blade itself a bit longer at the back, giving a bit of heft to the tip. That pulls the center of gravity toward the point, but I keep the back a bit thicker so the blade’s mass isn’t all in one spot. I then bend a little the tang into the handle and run a small weight gauge along it; if the handle feels too light it’ll slip, if too heavy it’ll feel like a hammer. When the blade feels balanced when you swing it lightly, I’ve got it. I always test it again after each heat treatment, because the metal can shift a bit. It’s a mix of feeling, measuring, and a little trial and error.

You’re right—over‑heating the hilt is a rookie mistake. I keep it just warm enough to bend, but let it cool before I add the leather wrap. That way the grip stays firm and the blade’s balance does its job. When the edge is clean, the whole thing feels like a well‑tuned hammer and a true partner in battle.