bob55314

hi i am just like yourself starting out i made my first two blades one out of an old woodwork chisel blade and one from an old metal work file both with good results all i can say is do not give up. all the best. Bob

wow thanks guys i did not realise you are all a propper friendly bunch thanks for all the replys our first project is two small skinning knifes for me mum she is a butcher (so they will get a good test!!) we are trying with two sections cut out of my mates old golf g60 brake disks!! these have been heated all day in my workshop stove at about 800'c and are cooling slowly then once soft we will form a blade harden then temper will let you know how we get on

many thanks for the quick reply!! will check out what you advise and let you know. many thanks Bob Finch

hi all im bob! i am very new to this blacksmithing game and i have all ready hit a problem. i have made myself a forge using a lorry brake drum using plans off the internet and i have an electric blower that gives me lots of air the problem that i am having is what to put in it. After trying the local solid fuel yard i have got told that you cannot buy coke for forging. so i tried some of there coal brickets which do not burn hot (only got the steel to red hot after half an hour of heating with air) the only other option is using charcoal but that burns to quickly and for the small bit of forging that i want to do it would cost me a fortune! so can anyone help? i live just outside of maldon in essex if that helps