Donnie

Here's another easy project for anyone looking for somewhere to start. It's a belt buckle. I saw one posted a while back by, Sam Salvati. I liked it, so I made one too.

My forge time is quite limited and my projects small. Arthritis in the hips, shoulder and whole spinal column, changes things. I still pickup the hammer when I can. This is just a simple towel ring. I thought it might give someone looking for a simple beginner project an idea. While being a simple, yet useful item, the tapers and scrolls are good practice in hammer control.

I like the overall shape of this piece. Well done.

Here's mine.........98lb. Kohlswa

Unbelievable. Many thanks for posting all those pics. Humbling to say the least.

Sounds like Christmas in July. Pictures please!

Looking good.

Very interesting pattern. Two thumbs up.

I do love an all metal knife. Those look great.

I use peanut oil for quenching. While not being a metalurgist, it has been my experience, that W1 will air harden in small cross sections, such as the thinness of a blade. While W1 is a water hardened steel, I have had blades crack when hardened in water. It is my opinion that water is just too quick for such thin pieces. I am sure there are plenty of folks who quench W1 blades in water with no problems. I am only sharing my experiences and opinions.

W1

Guilty :rolleyes:

I enjoy forging knives. I've never made a fancy one. Never will. I just like things simple. I do love looking at all the great work done by others. I fully understand the skill, time and effort it takes to produce them. Anyways, here's a few I've done lately.

Tough way to get handle material. At least they end up with a nice knife!

Very impressive for a first, or second, or third.........looks great.

They are all nicely done. The key is my favorite.

That is my favorite style knife to make. I don't enjoy making handles. I just need a bunch of folks with money to like them too.... :rolleyes:

Very nice indeed.

Nice job. Now as mentioned in the previous post........details, details, details. :D

Use it as is. If the hammer only strikes hot metal, I don't see anvil hardness as much of an issue.............opinions vary

I've had quite come along over the years saying they would like to learn the craft. I've had a few to show up and give it a try. I don't know of but one. that ever stuck with it. It is amazing how many actually say they want to make a sword. As soon as I try to explain that I have never made a sword, lack the knowlege to do so, and how complex a sword really is............that is the end of those clowns. But, if and when the next one comes along, I will gladly do all that I can to help.

I meant to say, "It is as Mr. Powers, said."..........sometimes I'm just not as smart as I'ld like to be! :D

I burn coke. It is as Mr. Powers, harder to light and requires more of a constant air flow. I have used it with a hand blower. I had no problems keeping it going. You just can't let it sit without turning the blower as long as you can with coal. I like coke because for me it burns a lot cleaner and hotter. If you give it a try, let us know what you think.

If something is important, we find a way. If not, we find an excuse.

I purchase W1 round stock, from Fastenal.