OzMatt

Really nice set of knives - the carvings on the handle and sheath are a great finishing touch.

Great work Chris - really like it.
As a matter of interest, what was the rough time taken to complete this?

Cheers,
Matt

Nicely done - I really like the second (utility) knife.

Thanks guys - much appreciated!

Hey All,

Thought I would share the first forged knife (and second knife made) that I recently completed.
This was an experiment in making a hidden tang knife, getting the feel of forging a blade, and heat treating. It is certainly not perfect, but I think I learnt a lot making this.
As you can see there are some rough spots from forging on the blade, which some may not like, but I like to think of it as 'character' :-)
Now I need to try my hand hand at making a leather sheath.

Anyway, blade is 4140 steel, handle olive wood, and pins and bolster brass.
Overall length is 180mm

Any comments or tips welcome!
Cheers,
Matt

Nice clean lines on this - great job.

Bloody awesome. True works of art.

That's awesome - thanks for sharing your idea.

There was a guy in Australia who died recently in an explosion in his van. Dangerous stuff.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/melbourne-plumber-dies-after-van-explodes-20111212-1oq5m.html

Thanks for sharing this video, it was very helpfull!

Hey Andrew,
Is this for a private job, or through a builder/architect? Have they given you any idea on preferences for finishes?
I would say that for thee internal stuff, if you could bolt pieces together, then a powder coat finish would be ideal, but if you have to weld pieces after fitting it rules out that option.
As far as outside finishes, I would be interested to hear which way you end up going, as I am trying to decide for my own project.

Cheers,
Matt

Thanks for posting such a great and inspiring video.
Matt

I certainly hope my first attempt goes as well as yours did. Hope you post some pics of it when finished.
Cheers,
Matt

Wow! Thanks for posting. A magnificent machine for sure.
Did you take the photos?

Thanks for that - much appreciated!

Hello all.

I am looking at making a small hatchet, and have been given an assortment of different tool steels, one of which is P20.
I am thinking of using this as the insert for the blade. I was wondering if anyone has used this type of steel before, and it's suitability for this application?

Any info appreciated.

Cheers,
Matt.

Fantastic - very nicely done.

Cheers guys, much appreciated!

Hey everyone,

From Adelaide, Australia, and am glad to be part of this great community.
Just started down the path of blacksmithing about 6 months ago, and have joined the local artistic blacksmithing association.
Been working in industries associated with steel/manufacturing all my life, and blacksmithing allows me use some of that knowledge and apply it to something I really enjoy doing!

Cheers,

Matt