Robakyo

Great looking knives as always. Looking forward to seeing the big blades done. You've developed a signature style. I could probably pick out your knife from a table full of knives forged and finished by other makers. Best of luck at the show.

Robert

Some good looking knives you've got there. I especially like the second one down in the picture of the group of four. It has a nice profile, and seems rugged. Welcome back!

Robert

Theo, I absolutely love the profile! Everything else is a matter of personal preference. Aside from the guard, it somehow reminds me of an antique bayonet. Great blade.

Robert

I'd say you do at least that much, or more a year.

How many swords have you made over the course of your career? Every time I see JPH as the poster, it is mandatory that I click on the topic. Your work is alway outstanding, and even though you joke about "puttering around", I know that your standards have always been of the highest order. 

Thank you 

Robert

Good looking knife! I like the blade profile. How did you secure the hidden tang? I'm curious about the handle. Are you left-handed? It seems customized for that purpose. Again, well done.

Matei, that is nice looking from every angle. I especially like the geometry of the spike. 

Robert

Nicely done. That is the style I prefer also. However, I do appreciate smoothly finished knives as well. Every knife that I have ever purchased is of the latter variety.

It wasn't until I started dabbling with knife making that I learned of other possibilities such as Brut de forge. This forum covers a wide spectrum of possibilities. 

Robert

JHCC, thanks for the link. I saw this video a while ago. I forgot all about it. Those men were highly skilled craftsmen. It is a shame that they are gone.

Would this Finnish hewing axe be an example of wrapping a high carbon bit over the edge of the blade instead of Imbedding it? Thomas has mentioned that option many times, but I've never actually seen done before.

If having a warped mind were all that it took to do what you seem to do so effortlessly. 

Robert

I really like this knife, as I said in my previous post, but have to add a comment about your sheath. The scalloped edge is almost a mirror image of the spine of your knife. Interesting and unexpected. Well made sheath.

Robert

You,Sir, have a heart of gold!

2 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

We're talking 20's and 30's as I recall way before the "modern" bumpers...

I guess that would be out of the question for me. They are a rarity here, but as always, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Robert

Michael, the shape looks good. Are you planning on sculpting the bowl with files? I think that would be part of the fun. I wonder what purpose that pipe previously served.

Robert

Thomas, I had no idea they used to be made of spring steel, but considering that older cars were more stoutly built, I can see why a substantial bumper would be paramount.

Robert

Charlotte, I am truly sorry that you experienced such cruelty. I also apologize for dredging up unpleasant memories. 

Robert

That Trident is over the top! Superb. Thanks for posting your progress pics as well as your thought processes.

Wow, that's fantastic! Very nice pattern too. 

That is a good looking blade. I am looking forward to seeing it completed. The barbed wire look great.

Thanks Stormcrow, I guess many of the resources recommended as carbon or high carbon steel from his day, are oftentimes case hardened mild steel today. Old bumpers? I'm intrigued. Were they HC too? I requested it through my library. I can't wait to read it again with fresh eyes.

Charles, as I'm now learning, this is a versatile resource. Do you roll a socket for a handle?

JHCC, thanks for this visual reminder. The drawings are better than photographs in certain circumstances. He was able to clarify content with these images.

High-carbon angle-iron bars salvaged from steel bed frames, garden swings, or dishwashers all make good tool material for larger gouges because these articles are as a rule light in weight but very strong." (Ibid, p. 70)

Oh, great, now I'm going to start considering whether or not to throw discarded dishwashers in my truck.

Charlotte, that is exactly what I heard, regarding the manufacturing of bed frames. Both You and JHCC have motivated me to revisit that valuable book. What kind of chisels did you make, and how are they holding up?

JHCC, thanks for the reference to Weyger. I haven't read that book for a long time. That is now on my near future reading list. Thank you! 

Robert

14 hours ago, Stormcrow said:

Looks really good, and while I haven't used it myself, I know I've seen a number of fellows who really like bed rail steel for forging blades. 

What's the approximate spine thickness?  Looks like maybe around 1/8"?  Have you given it a workout yet?

Stormcrow, you are spot on about the thickness. It is 1/8", but towards the tip it narrows to 1/16''. It is about the same thickness as the machete I got while in the Army. That blade has very little distal taper. This chopper works well. It chops as well, if not better than my machete. I could just be biased in that estimation though.

21 hours ago, dickb said:

Very nice, but my guess is that bedframe steel isn't any better than  1018 MILD STEEL, Did you test it with a file before tempering.

I have used vinegar for descaling, but the stink is awful. Pallet wood is very very tough stuff,  

It was through IFI that I first learned of this potential steel source. After reading about it here, I suddenly started seeing the occasional bed frame being left curbside in my area. They were probably being discarded the whole time, but were never on my radar.  I can understand your assumption, but so far, every section I've tested has proven to be High Carbon Steel. They also make fine kitchen knives.

21 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

Bed frame; particularly the older stuff tends to be high carbon; I've made some very nice corner chisels from it with minimal work.  You; of course; would want to test a piece of each frame you use for carbon content with the spark and heat/quench in water/break---wearing PPE!!!!! just like you would want to do with any junkyard steel you want to use for a blade.

Thomas, every piece that I use is tested. I guess that they are mostly old bed frames. I am a big fan of PPE! I've experienced the snapped piece riccochete and bounce off my protective lenses. I start with the oil quench, and haven't yet had to try water. I'll have to try making some other tools besided knives.