The secrets of doing so were jealously guarded as well as formulas for alloys. While any blacksmith could manufacture a knife or an axehead only a swordsmith could create a high quality sword. Extending further from the transformation of ore into metal, the difficulty of actually obtaining a quality blade which took intense concentration and skill added to its esoteric qualities. Through the fires of the forge ( fire was also given spiritual connotations) a lump of earth was transformed into a shiny usable object that could be hammered into many shapes. It is probable that the roots of the sentient weapon myths stem from ancient peoples belief that sword making and metallurgy was in fact a magical process.
