nthe10ring

Google Kevin Cashens site, he is the go to guy for heat treating knives and has information for 7 or 8 of the more common steels.

I built one of the GIB kits from Polar Bear and used the 1 1/2 HP Motor and VFD from Wayne Coe. Both guys are great to deal with and very much in line on their prices. I did some trading around and got my wheels, ( two idle, tracking and drive ) and I ended up with about 1100 bucks in the whole thing. If I had to buy the wheels new it would have been more. I messed around for about a year getting everything together but glad I purchased and completed the project. Its a very good grinder and compatable with the more expensive models. It tracks on the money and has plenty of power. I really enjoy the variable speed. I am going to order the platen that allows mounting an eight inch and 3 inch wheel in the future and set up another tool arm for it. Jerry Fisher

Both of mine stay outside, I keep a rag soaked in wd40 on the face and both covered with one of the large commercial trash bags. No problems so far. Not the ideal solution but space is at a premium so no inside forging. Jerry Fisher

I just bought a nice little pyrometer with thermocouple good to around 2400 degrees for 50 bucks new, been working good for me,, spend another 4 bucks and get the longer probe. Bought it from Auberins Instruments online. Jerry

Ric, Let us know when you start making some of Brians style of tongs. Since I only forge blades, maybe with a little offset. Hopefull the bank account will stand it,if so I would love to have a pair. Jerry Fisher

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=199&zenid=5754fdcb7db86afbdc6c3e9f6dfda18a Here's a nice little unit, friend of mine has two of them. Jerry

I forge outside and both of my anvils are always in the weather. I spray the tops with wd40 and leave a soaked rag covering them and then slip a large heavy duty garbage bag over each of them them. Both are always pristine with no rust and they have been out there for couple of years now. Hope to get a shed roof off the side of my shop this summer to give more protection. Jerry Fisher

Clean work, great lookin knives as usual Matt. Jerry Fisher

I forge outside so my anvils are constantly exposed. I spray them with wd40 and leave a rag soaked in the same on the tops. I keep them covered with heavy duty garbage bags and never have any problems with rust. Keep it simple. Jerry Fisher

About 3 years ago HF used to sell the cast Steel Russian made anvils , not the best but for less than a hundred bucks they were a pretty good deal. I purchased one and still have it, the rebound is not all that bad and I still used it some. I make mostly knives and eventually got a bladesmith anvil like the one that Don Fogg uses- Searobbin. Jerry

I think the key to Brians is the radius and the groove that allows one tong to hold a variety of widths of material, pinching all the way from the front to the back of the radius. Now guys if I could just get a pair with a little offset and mabe a little larger groove for blade work I think these would fill the bill for most of my bladesmithing . Jerry Fisher

Steel is cheap, if your going to put the effort into a knife, buy some of the 10 series steel,,,1084 is good and you will know what it is and can work on a good heat treat. For 20 bucks you can buy enough to make a dozen fairly large knives or 20 small ones. When your finished you know what you have. Jerry

Thats coal country around there, I was raised about 20 miles from there in Jasper. You might contact the Alabama Forge Council there and Im sure they could point you in the right direction. Jerry

Absolutely gorgeous work, I look forward to seeing more. Jerry Fisher

Jymm, Save your money on the over the counter remedies for tinnitus, they are hype. If you have just a ringing now, be very carefull to alleviate any loud sounds, with full blown tinnitus it is at time so lound you can barely make out regular sounds. You not actually hearing the sounds that occur with tinnitus but your brain is amplifying what can be best describes as white noise. Regards Jerry Fisher