Alan B

Strine, If you perform your job with the same expert eye for detail as your blacksmithing that in itself will settle the score for you. Congrats on the new job mate. Alan B :D

Glenn, I have been a member here since its inception. In the beginning I supported and stood behind the values you have and the standards that you strive to hold this site up to. I just wanted to publicly state that I still do. This is a wonderful place where I feel at ease in sending ladies and even young people that are simply seeking information on blacksmithing, laughing and sometimes lessons on life in general. I am now and will remain steadfast in standing side by side with you in your efforts to keep this site clean and free from vulgarity and slanderous statements. People are free to come and go but while here they should be courteous and choose the wording of their post carefully as this forum is free and open to the public. If people find this unacceptable they are free to move on. Thank you for your diligance in the advancement of smithing and its knowledge through this site. Your friend, Alan B

Before throwing them into the DG's washer mix up a bucket of warm water and GOOP. The hand cleaner available almost every where. Soak the rags in this solution and stir now and then to remove 90% of the grease :lol:

My name is Alan Brazzel and I live in south western Indiana close to a small town named Owensburg. I have been a welder for the past 22 years and got started in smithing about 8 years ago. I have always had an interest in blacksmithing and after a visit to a renfaire my kids asked me " Dad, why don't you do that ?". I built my first forge and got started. I have a major interest in damascus and over the past 8 years have learned a whole lot from books, hammer ins but mainly from talking to people on this site. I also do heavy equipment repair and ornamental iron work. The name of my shop is Brazier and Black Blacksmithing. I am of Scottish descent and Brazier was my families surname. I am also only the 4rth generation of my family to be born in the USA. :D

Congratulations Jim. Do I see the possibility of a new book such as " More Damascus Patterns". Hope you have a good time with the new machine. How about some pics of the metal mangling monster for the rest of us to drool over. Alan Brazzel :wink:

For chain saw chains I use straight Ferric Chloride For cable I use 6 ounces of ferric chloride mixed with 1/2 gallon of muriatic acid. For most other damascus I use a mix of 6 ounces of ferric chloride with 1 gallon of muriatic acid. Alan Brazzel WARNING: using the above formulas may expose the user to chlorine gas as well as the caustic action of the etch. Use in well ventilated area and avoid all contact with clothing, eyes and skin! :!:

Thanks Metal master, I love your roses. Please don't hesitate to put yourself on the prayer list as I will put you on mine. Thanks for the info and may God bless. Alan

Metal master, I would really like to see a blue print on how you do your roses. They are beautiful. :lol:

Ralph, You and Dawn are still on my heart and in my prayers. May the Lord grant you both peace and a Happy holiday. We are with you in heart and spirit. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. God bless you both. Alan, Sandy, Bambi and Levi Brazzel

JWB, Thanx for sharing that with us. I made my own snow pig a couple weeks ago and managed to break my collar bone. I too sprang to my feet to make sure no one witnessed the EVENT. My point being, you are not alone...LOL Alan

Hal, I made my father in law a damascus knife from 1095 and L-6. It has between 120 and 200 layers. He has skinned and butchered a 1600 pound steer, 500 pound hog and 4 deer with out ever touching it to a stone. He is very happy with it. As far as a single steel goes 52100 is about as tough as it gets if you get the heat treating correct but be prepared to go through a lot of sanding/ grinding belts. As for the grind, while forging make sure to put in a double taper, from spine to cutting edge and from tang to tip. Then I would recommend a hollow grind for the finished edge. Alan Brazzel

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You will be in my families prayers.

Leah, I read your post and am still LMAO. I have had entire weeks go like that then all at once Murphy will get bored with me and move on to some one else. Thanks for sharing this "amusing" happenstance with us. Oh, I'm glad he finally let you get it welded. :D

Jr and Cookie, We will be praying for your daughter Cookie. God Bless

Dan, The number is actual layers of steel not the number of folds. As you fold, sometimes you may add a piece in the center or to the outsides for burn off. My point is if you weren't there during the forging process you may not be able to divide the number of layers up evenly to see where it started at. For this blade I started with 21 layers, made one fold now we are at 42. Draw it out and cut into thirds and reweld. We finally arrive at 126. Hope this helps. :lol:

Woody, The blade is 126 layers of 1095 and L-6. The handle is a piece of maple burl. The bolster is brass with a blued steel guard. The pommel is brass and the tang of the knife is piened over in a recess in the pommel. :lol:

Jr Thanx for sharing this moment with us, by the way, Bambi says thanx too. Her side was almost healed up from the last time Alan

Bryan, May God bless you and yours in your hours of mourning. Your all in our prayers. Alan, Sandy, Bambi, Levi

A group of blacksmiths and no one has mentioned..." a shovel short of a ton of coal " LOL :roll:

Newlad, When I was younger I had an interest in knives. Now my son has a serious interest and he is 17. With knowledge comes responsability. My children have been raised and TAUGHT how to properly handle firearms. How to hunt, Skin, and butcher should the need arise. Teaching a younger person doesn't mean you are encouraging misuse or abuse of what they are making. I make damascus knives and my son has several but he knows what they are for and the dangers involved in abusing them. Any smith on here I am sure would encourage skill, ability, and most of all responsability. We are not here to train terrorist but to continue a dying trade for future generations to enjoy. :D

My heart goes out to you and the young boys family. Of course me and mine will have you all on our prayer list.

As always Rich, another beautiful knife. :lol:

PPW will be missed sadly. My heart is heavy for his family and I pray God will bless them with peace and understanding.

Great idea Glenn, please count me in.

JimG, I'm not catholic but you can bet that at 6pm Thursday my entire household will join you in prayer for PPW and his family. Thanx for the good idea Jim.