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Thanks! I think this is going to help me out with the axe project that keeps bouncing around in my mind.

Those look really nice! If you don't mind explaining, how would you go about forging the ear tabs on an axe? I've wondered about how to do it for a while.

I agree with everyone who has spoken so far! Stick to your standards. My neighbor has come to me wanting to bring home some scrap angle iron or mild steel so I can forge him a "big bowie knife" out of it. I told him it was the wrong type of steel. He responded that he just wanted a "big shiny bowie knife" to hang on his wall to show people. He hasn't gotten the knife yet and he won't get it either until he is willing to let me make a quality piece that CAN hang on his wall and look good, but can ALSO do the job it is intended to do if ever called upon by him or his great grandchildren.

NO COMPROMISE! Let them go to flea markets and stock up on junk knives. You make quality and those who know quality will eventually be drawn to your work.

Beautiful work! I've played around with doing that myself, but haven't stayed with it. What wood did you use for the haft?

Recover soon.

Eric

To echo what was already said about using an angle grinder and a cut-off wheel: BE CAREFUL!!!! If you have access to a plasma cutter, please use that instead. But if you are like me, it's the angle grinder and a lot of caution.
@ Steve: I have lots of people ask me, "Don't you ruin the temer when you cut them out?" I tell them, "Oh, by the time it takes a trip into my forge the temper is shot anyway." Most folks I talk to miss the idea that I actually forge the blades instead of grinding them until the question of heat treat and temper comes up.

Haven't been around in a while so I'm coming in really late on this one. Because of a slow connection speed, I usually don't take the time to check out pic heavy threads. But from the first post this one captured me! Outstanding work! I confess beforehand that I am going to steal your guard setting jig design. That's the simplest idea. I've learned a few things from this thread. Thanks for posting!

Dang it Sam!!! Now you've got me trying to figure out how I can make one of those! Fine job! I like the color on it as well. What are the dimensions?

Well. . . I WAS going out to the forge today, but now I'm tired just from reading this post! These hammers make you appreciate the lighter stuff.

Coal is a very good fuel for knives if- as everyone has said- it is coaked down. A good clean fire is what you are looking for. No yellow smoke clouds billowing from the fire. I've understood that charcoal is an EXCELLENT fuel, but my forge isn't set up to properly use it. I have done it by using fire bricks to create a little "furnace."

And I totally agree with Thomas about certain steels laughing at you when you hit them. It can be discouraging when you first start out.

Eric

I sharpen bandsaw blades for a living and have collected MANY blades like the ones you have pictured. I've made several knives out of them and sold them. I always follow up my sales with a "how's it holding up?" email to my customer. I have never had a single complaint about the durability or edge holding ability of the knife. I've been corrected a time or two on my own execution- which is great btw- but never a complaint about the knife itself. I would gladly use the blades you have for knives.

Just my thoughts and experience.

Eric

Edit: I would agree with Thomas about acquiring the blades though. If you can find a local mill or saw shop, you could most likely have far more saw blades than you can use any time soon. I have paid a grand total of $0 for all of the blades that I have. Most mills end up with old and useless blades sitting around.

Fantastic job! I have yet to try to clay coat anything I've done. That looks really good.

I've had good results with Blue Wonder Gun Black. It's pretty easy to use. It is also all I have ever used, so there may be something better out there. You can find Blue Wonder's web site on the internet.

All of the circular saw blades of that size that our mill runs are L6. But I don't sharpen the circulars, they are sent off to another company. If you have access to 50 of them, then it would be worth sendiing a piece off to have it annalized. The steel has to be a high shock resistant steel, or it won't last long in a mill. Wish I could be more help. Check into having it annalized and let us know what you find out.

Don't think I've ever posted in this subforum before. But that is one stunning knife! I like it!

Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I haven't been around much over the past several months. Life kinda got in the way.

Frosty, thanks for the prayers and kind words. It means a lot coming from you with your recent mishap.

Update. Mom got a call some time after the wreck from someone in the other vehicle. She remembered a man with a bloody hand complaining about chest pains, but the Highway patrolman told us that the driver only suffered a banged uup knee. The call that Mom got was from the passenger in the truck that hit her. He nearly lost his thumb and was hurt pretty badly. But he made a good recovery. Yet another blessing.

That is one good looking hawk. I like the maker's mark. Where did you find that tutorial? Is it in the blueprints?
The file work on the hawk looks really good too.

Dont know if Durham is your last name, or if it is your location in NC. If it is the location, I have a lead on some coal in Roxboro, but I haven't bought any from the guy yet. He's selling for $10 a 50# bag. There is also a guy in Pittsboro selling Sewell coal. The last time I bought from him, it was $12.50 a 50# bag.

That knife has an "old used" look that is really appealing. I like it.

From an old soldier here. I greatly appreciate the job our Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen do for us. The men and women serving to keep us safe so we can go from state to state without passing through military checkpoints or answer to officials because we MAY have said something that can be misconstrued as offensive to our leaders or just so we can live free have my utmost respect and my prayes on this and every day of the year.

I didn't post, but believe me, I'm certainly praying for those and their families who were wounded or killed in that attack.

Hmm. If I actually succeed on this cable weld that I am attempting, I may have to consider a sgian dubh. Nice knife and thanks for the inspiration.

Also - people seeing it has led to ORDER # 3!

YEAH!
kc

And that's how it works! I'm working on about three hand seaxes at the moment. One will be a gift at a "Viking Christmas party" that a friend holds every year. Hopefully folks will like it and want the other two.

Eric

Kevin, I saw your name on this thread and said, "Oooo! Let's see what he's done now!" I like seeing how you advance with each piece.
I like it. I'd be proud to carry it out to the next scout meeting and explain how it was made.
What wood is the handle?

That is AWESOME news!!!

I was recently working at a forge while another blacksmith watched. After a while he gave me a couple of pointers on how to do things better. Then he sort of apologized for telling me his way. I asked him, "Do you know how I got so good at my day job?" Kind of set on the defensive a bit, he said, "No. How?" I said, "By listening to those who have gone before me." Well, his face lit up with a smile and I learned a few things about the basics that I didn't know before.

Anyway, on the subject of welding. I'm still trying to master that one myself, but I'm learning that one of the key ingredients is: patience. And I agree that to secure the pieces together you need sturdy wire that you can really tighten with a pair of pliers or something to keep it still.