Robakyo

Greetings Matt. Is a rail anchor "J" shaped? Would that be acceptable knife blade and/or hawk material? I've read that some Smiths use them for improvised hardies or fullers. I can't remember for certain. I've also read that they are a Bear to flatten out. Thanks for the information. Robert

Hi Steve, Big fan of your work. That Katana was something else! I think that I've used the ILL extensively. Through my library I've been able to borrow many books not in my library. Bergen County, NJ seems to be weak in the area of Blacksmithing in general. I've borrowed books from many libraries in the system. I intend to purchase several of the books mentioned on this forum. It is better to build my own library of resources than to rely on material that isn't always available when needed the most. I've read Mr. Powers often quoted term ILL, so of course I had to find out what that meant. He is a veritable fountain of knowledge! I'd wager that his personal collection would shame the combined libraries of Bergen County. Sorry, I didn't intend to hijack Phillips thread. I hope that he does another one. That must have taken a lot of effort. When you are in the moment, in the zone, it is hard to remember to take a picture. He presented so many high quality photos of a fantastic blade and shared some of his thought processes. So, again, Thanks Phillip. Robert

Surprisingly, this book isn't available in the library system of my county. Nor the other two books written by Dr.Hrisoulas. They are definitely on my "must have" list. But in the absence of said books, I truly appreciate this thread. Though the descriptions aren't overly detailed, the pictures are very clear. Nor do I expect Mr. Patton to write a book in the space of this forum. I do get a sense of what is involved to some degree. Besides, JPH has already covered this. It is just really cool to see it displayed here. Robert

Greetings Dave. Nicely forged knives. I like the appearance of both the san mai and damascus blades . I'm really torn between the two. I'm drawn more to the natural look that san mai offers. However, if I were holding one of those etched blades in my hand, I would surely be mesmerized. Nice file work too. That is an intriguing variation of vine and thorn (not sure of the actual name). I hope you don't mind, but I might just have to borrow that pattern. As an archaeologist, how far back do you find examples of file work on weapons? I thought that it was a relatively recent embellishment, but was able to find examples from 1,000 A.D. Two Seaxes. Second hand information from another forum, so I question the accuracy. Thank you for the pictures and information. Robert

Sam, sorry for the late response. From what I gather, Aldo is a knifemaker, as well as the NJ steel Baron. So, you've met him? Cool! Aldo's is absolutely on my "to do list". I'm definitely going to accept your offer. I need to forge some tongs, master the "S" hook, nails, etc., so I don't waste your time. Thank you for the generous offer! My forging configuration has been proceeding so slowly that I made a crudely improvised forge, just to be able to say that I had pounded hot metal. It was a successful failure. But very satisfying. It gave me a lot of food for thought. Now, I've almost completed the construction of Japanese box bellows, which if found in the book: The Craft of the Japanese Sword. Robert

Ahoy Greg! Thanks for the peek into your work process. Cool looking sword. Nice set up. Store bought or home made charcoal? Unfortunate to have the guard split like that. Forgive the beginner question, and I'm sure that the answer is self evident to anyone with experience, but could you flux the crack and kinda weld it back together? Would it just make it worse to do so? What do you use the track plate for? Straightening a blade? Hardy hole? Pritchel hole? I see that were also working on some other blades as well. Nice. Robert

From the reading I've done, Leonardo was quite the SOB. IIRC, his mother was an unwed mother, and his father was of the higher social class. His father never acknowledged him as his son. Not to excuse his insufferable arrogance, but that has to scar a person. I'm sure growing up in that religious environment, people weren't too nice to him either. Especially in that era. He dismissed Michelangelo as just a sculptor. Visionary genius, but I sure wouldn't buy him a beer. Robert

Greetings JPH, You are prolific in your axe making! Would you call them axes or tomahawks? The Forging looks flawless. I really like the clean, functional lines of the heads. Is the scalloped edge historic, or your own interpretation? It looks great regardless. Had to Google RPFS. Fascinating! Interesting People. I would like to guess the secret ingredients of your browning formula. Is it Barley Pop, pronghorn steaks, and asparagus? Robert

Greetings Rusty... I hope that you don't take this the wrong way, but I think that you are an Artist too! In my experience outside of Blacksmithing, I have met many "Artists" who were brilliant in concept, but not in execution. Technically, they really are "Designers". IMHO, I think that you are a true Artist. One who manipulates their materials/media to produces an objects that are useful, functional, beautiful, admired, appreciated, needed, valued, etc., are Artists. I admit that I went to several "Art Schools" in Boston. I worked very hard at my craft. I took several semesters of Figure sculpture and Printmaking, even though my major was Illustration. However, I lacked the attitude to be an "Artist". Leonard Baskin visited our school once. He said that an artist must be a Megalomaniac in order to succeed. That statement has stuck in my head all these years. I wasn't all that impressed with his work, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What he had in abundance was EGO. That is what he seemed to be marketing. So, I finally settled for working in a Stained Glass studio, and became a pair of hands. The owner gets all of the recognition, credit and money, even though us craftsmen actually cut the glass, fit together the windows, solder, cement, and finish them. Kinda like that Mickey Mouse outfit. In order to succeed in Stained glass, my boss has to echo the ego of each designer he works with. That seems to be all that they respect. As unsavory as that sounds, maybe that is the game that you must play. I have respect for him because he can do the work that we do, and occasionally gets dirty too, in a pinch. Being an Artist is a good thing. Every person here is an artist. Creating objects in metal is Art. Whether a person forges, castes, welds, mills, or cold forges, they are creating something unique and valuable. That should be respected and honored. Please, try to distinguish the difference between Artist and "Artist". Blah, blah, blah. Sorry for the wordy post, but I'm an artist. Robert

Greetings Andrew. You are creating World Class Art! Although I can appreciate abstract art to a certain degree, I have a greater affinity to figurative art. The dynamic quality of your sculptures is very appealing. I echo the collective WOW expressed by others here. I hope to see one of your pieces at the MOMA someday. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to take a trip to Oz. What sets your creativity loose? Does viewing an object trigger a vision of the whole, or do you draw a plan, and then hunt for the appropriate parts? Thank you for sharing your fantastic work! Robert

Hey Sam, no, you don't know me. I'm another newbie to this Craft/Art. I live in Fair Lawn, which is close to the New Jersey Steel Baron, located in Hawthorne. I still haven't made a trip over to that store. You've made huge strides since your early posts. I know that with training/practice and a measure of natural aptitude, I can do this as well. Thanks for showing me what is possible. Robert

Sam, that is a really nice spear head! With the socket wrapped, It looks to me like a fine dagger as well. How do you envision it being used? Would you consider making a belt sheath for it, or is it only intended to be a spear? Fantastic work as always. Robert

Aaarr and Welcome to IFI. I saw your two cutlasses and thought: Perfect use of a horse shoe, Awesome D-guard! Very post apocalyptic. Like Madd Maxx meets Captain Jack Sparrow. Robert

Ciladog, Thank you for that information on the Hammer-in! I definitely want to attend one. Robert

Hey Aaron, looks like you are off to a good start. You started this off with a rail spring clip? I have several of those. So, is the carbon content a respectable level? Maybe so since they are called "spring clips". I didn't realize that they could be drawn out so long. Nice work! Also, I see that you are using a track plate, or whatever it's called, supported by a stump. How well does that set-up work? How is the rebound? I ask because I am still assembling my own equipment and hacked out an anvil from a piece of R.R. track given to me by a friend. I thought of adding the plate elsewhere, and maybe also using one of the square holes as a hardie hole. In such case, I would be using the round hole to mount the spikes. I just worry about the shaft getting stuck. Anyhow, at 19+ inches I would call it a short sword. Robert

Greetings Mr. Powers. I suspected that the steel was not very good. After reading many posts on these forums, my suspicions were confirmed. However, heating a cut-off of the same material to cherry red and quenching in water, it snapped right off. I doubt that the previous homeowner would have selected a high carbon steel just to hold ductwork in place. You see, he was fond of patching holes in the walls with masking tape and band-aids. I think that the spine of a palm frond would make a respectable Shinai. I lived on Oahu for 6 years while stationed at Schofield Barracks. I really loved Hawaii, and I still like to say Aloha. I just like the way it sounds. I really do need to research the njba.abana chapter. It would be fantastic to meet and learn from real people. Books can only get you so far. HT alone is a vast subject, but vitally important to the success and safety of any blade being forged. Just know that your words do not go unheard. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Robert

Not wishing to incur your wrath, but could you please elaborate.

Greetings to all the fine members of the IFI Blacksmithing forum. I recently tore out the old duct work in my basement. In three strategic locations in the system the duct work was held up by 2" X 18" X ¹⁄₈ " flat steel. I started sketching ideas for knives that would fit the available shapes as they also included some large holes used to nail them to the bottom of the floor joists. With hacksaw, body file, and a file that was really too fine to remove much metal, I shaped them into full tang KSO's. I even added scales, pinned in place with pieces of cooking hashi (Very large chopsticks). After sharpening one, I realized that I really needed help. Searching the net for information on HT, Bladesmithing, and Blacksmithing in general, I eventually found this forum. I am astounded by the scope and talent of the people found posting here regularly. Teachers, Authors, Masters, Journeymen, Apprentices, and Novices. Whether a person is a professional Smith or hobbyist, all share their successes and failures, knowledge and experience. I've been reading this forum since 2010, and recently joined. I have been hesitant to post anything, because I still don't have a forge. It is still not complete. I made an anvil from a piece of R.R. track including a horn using only a hacksaw and body file. I purchased a cross-peen hammer from HD. And I've been acquiring metal in woods, shorelines, etc. My wife thinks I'm losing it. Am I? I aspire to be a Bladesmith. After ready 59 pages of posts on the Knife making forum, as well as 6 or so on the Sword making forum, not to mention the various other subjects here, I know it is a very deep pool. I've also utilized the Library system to learn as much as I can, but until I actually start pounding hot metal, it remains only theory. Robert

Incredible pattern welding. Your work is fantastic. After looking at the short sword on your Site, the one that replaced this one, I truly like the blade posted here more. I see a more interesting Composition in the blade without the repeated pattern imposed upon the ricasso as well as the blade. This ricasso is defined. It's like a Peninsula jutting out into some crazy sea. Both are superbly crafted, but I really like the reject the best. And I, also think that the plastic handle doesn't deserve to embrace that blade. Also, thank you so much for posting the detailed steps that went into the creation of this blade. Very clear.

I second Mr. Einhorn's views. Anybody with the slightest intellectual curiousity would know your Name. The work that you have done for this Craft/Art is immeasurable. Before I knew who you were, I read the vast majority of your posts on this forum. The swords that you make are masterpieces. While reading the fifth edition of the Gun Digest Book of Knives, I did a double take. There was a chapter about you and the efforts that you made to make this Art form immediate and approachable for the aspiring Bladesmith. Your harrowing encounter with a criminal, threats of violence against you for revealing knowledge about the Craft, and the safety consciousness of your approach to Sword and Bladesmithing. I thank you for all that you have selflessly done for others. If you get into an argument with someone incapable of listening; someone too full of pride, you are just pissing into the wind. Hopefully, people like me, will listen to the views of people like You, Mr. Powers, Mr. Sells, and the myriad experienced Bladesmiths/Blacksmiths on this site. Mr. Powers lessons echo in my head constantly. I think he must be a great teacher! One question though, what ever happened to the "Sword of Septis"?