Steve Sells

I love it.... Very humorous really, not have to sell it at $5k LOL ok I am ready for the next joke.

Roach proof is great. 98 % pure boric acid, 2%inert ingredients. It don't seem to effect the welds what ever that 2% is. But when I go and l buy more large containers, People gotta wonder about my roaches LOL (no, I dont have any that I have seen)

Oh yes they can...

done forget 15n20 is basically 1075 with 2% nickel. And L-6 is nickel chrome and moly, so sparks don't always help much there..

I had an apprentice attempt to "organize" my steel pile a while ago, I stopped him before he got to far, Since then I have permanent marker the steel ID numbers/letters in every bar.

LOL and if he is a member and I get flamed for Laughing I dont care!

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Benchmade pr@benchmade.com Benchmade Knife Company, in support with The American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI) opposes U.S. Customs' attempt to classify assisted-opening knives and all one-hand-opening knives as switchblades. U.S. Customs proposes to bypass Congress and expand the switchblade definition to include all knives that open with one hand. These include multi-tools, traditional pocket knives, one-hand openers, and assisted-openers. More than 35 million law-abiding Americans now own one-hand-opening knives in one of the above four categories. The majority of Americans who carry and use one-hand-openers every day need them for their jobs. They use them to save lives as well as for scores of recreational activities. If U.S. Customs succeeds, it could lead to effectively banning all folding knives from interstate commerce. We're asking you to register your opposition to the U.S. Customs' plan (19 CFR Part 177) to re-classify assisted openers and all folding knives. Please address your comments to arrive at Customs by June 21, 2009. 19 CFR Part 177 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of International Trade, Regulations and Rulings Attention: Intellectual Property and Restricted Merchandise Branch Mint Annex, 799 Ninth St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20229 Please also express your concerns to your state Senators and representatives.

As an Electrician, I get picky about terms, To many are confused enough without misuse of technical words adding confusion. Not trying to make anyone feel bad. I have never heard or used the term overlap as being applied to phase relationships before, as that term implies repetition of an effect. I do agree the 3ph sine weaves leave no Zero, I also agree 3ph has a higher potential. But I can still plot the sine waves as distinct and not duplications on the scopes. Just trying to understand what you were referring to, as many cultures, even geographical areas of the same culture use terms differently. As for Phillip's question, I didn't comment on his power supply, as I have NO CLUE what the power is in China. I applied but did not get the 2 year post to Beijing a few years back, so no work for me there. It may or may not be the best choice over there. I would think after speaking with Phillip a few times, that having a self contained genny/welder unit would be best, for many reason and applications.

I have an old 60# beater anvil (any ASO is ok for this too) sitting on the floor when I have to upset. This gives me the advantage of hammering at a comfy altitude when upsetting longer stock.

Since bladesmithing is a subset of blacksmithing , I am surprised how many don't know the basic skill of how to bend a bar. As you are forming a thing, when you see it wants to crawl off in another direction, then why just keep hammering? Stop and think, just put it back where it belongs. This way we keep it straight as we go. It is not that hard to do, rather than guessing how much it might bend, to just keep realigning it as we go, is so simple. Maybe its from too many being in a hurry to hammer a bar into a knife shape, that they forget to learn basic smithing skills beforehand?

Happy to be of service, glad to see another person coming into blade work.

overlapping Phases ? HUH ? single is 180 degrees, and 3ph is out 120 degrees, what over lap ?

Forwarded by request, I am not donating, but its an issue we should be aware of. AKTI opposes U.S. Customs' May 21 attempt to revoke the permission granted earlier to import assisted-opening knives. They propose to re-classify assisted-opening knives as switchblades. AKTI fears that their broad new language will redefine all one-hand-opening knives as switchblades. If U.S. Customs succeeds, they will effectively ban all folding knives from interstate commerce. Individuals who cross state lines into states where switchblades are banned will be subject to arrest and prosecution. AKTI's request for an extension to respond to the proposed ruling has been denied today (June 10). We need you to register your opposition today. Your comments must be received by U.S. Customs via snailmail (emails not permitted) by June 21st (that's a Sunday so plan on getting your response to them by June 20 or earlier). This is not someone else's problem. This is huge. U.S. Customs is serious. Help us to help you! Go to American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) Keeping Knives in American Lives now and get more information. We've also created model letters, Knife User Data sheets, and AKTI Talking Points so you can write a clear, rational letter that reflects your concerns as either an individual or business owner. Thank you! David D. Kowalski AKTI Communications Coordinator

Nothing wrong with any gift of Love. and Unless you Hired my first wife mother to bake the cake, It should cut just fine. (diamond drills could not get through anything X-MIL cooked)

I must admit never though of that, but the idea of the pineapple twist for the ball sounds terrific

after you get your ball formed, why not drill and install pegs, pins or spikes? they can he hot forged into place if you wish.

should be fine

Welcome to I Forge Iron, glad to have you here.

I do it before final HT, for that very reason.

I have 3 learning under me. One is my son. one a 30-something adult named Doug, and then Chris, my only real apprentice, who is a 15 yr old member here that is doing very well. The problem with apprenticeships today is how does the trainer get reimbursed? I will address this in "First Person" here for ease of typing. 1) trade labor? what can they do? they know nothing yet of smithing, so cant help on a project, and how much sweeping or truck unloading do ya think I need done? mow the lawn? After a while I have invested time where I could have been making money, and now my apprentice know something, what happens? Now that they may be able to actually do work I need done, most have given up the idea that swinging a hammer in the hot shop is fun, and gave up already, OR as one maker had happen: decided to go into business against him, by underbidding him to his existing clients. 2) another idea is Cash. How much do I charge? how much will you keep paying out as a beginner? for this discussion lets say $10 per hour. What happens when I show you how to clean and then fire up the forge, how to use the slack tub to cool tools, or a burned hand, Then after this You get to hammer a square rod into a round, then triangle and then back into square. Is a beginner going to value that as much as making a sword to bring home? You are paying for this, you want to have some thing to show for your first $50 of classes. You don't know hard it is to jump into a blade the first day. Many beginners want it all now and they came to me to learn to make a super sword, so why don't we start on that? Hard to get them to see they must learn the basics first when they only wanted me to help them make a sword, so they won't pay as much to buy one. They see it done on U Tube. Many want instant gratification, so they go off posting and complaining I ripped them off and they still don't have a sword. (this did happen to me a few years ago) I can not speak for others, Just myself, I take on very few apprentices. But I will open my forge for anyone wanting to learn about smithing, for a day or two no problem. But I see an apprenticeship as a long term commitment for both parties, Myself to them, as well as the student to me. My personal feelings are that I must be as committed to them as I expect them to be to the craft, for this type of relationship to work. I don't always wish to take on more of that responsibility either.

[Finnr] My thought exactly Garey [Rich Hale] And maybe a dose of Finnr Now what about no guard at all? [Rich Hale] Knife Show - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [markb] Thats a hard transition [garey] i would make the blade more narrow , not as tall and do a curved in area behind the ricasso [Finnr] then a gentle curve in teh ricasso area would be great and serve as a hand guard [Rich Hale] These are nicel ittle knives I would call bird and trout........With that curve Finn Do we all use a belt grinder? [Finnr] Love those!! [brucegodlesky] those pictures won't come up for me [Rich Hale] I know garey does [Finnr] Of sorts, LOL [Rich Hale] How about this one Bruce? [garey] i really like those small blades. [Rich Hale] How could we grind that curve into the blade before heat treat? [brucegodlesky] nope [Finnr] Couple way, Run your belt off the side of the contact wheel is one [Rich Hale] Yes for sure [brucegodlesky] I ground some b&t this evening with an upswep curve [garey] if you got the small wheel attachment use that to put the recessed curve in thye blade [Finnr] Or use a small wheel for shaping [Rich Hale] And if you have a four or five incho contact your are set Garey can you get a blade onto your idler wheel? Without making the papers? [garey] could use the dremmel with a small drum and sanding collar [Rich Hale] Yes Could hacksaw,,file grind ,,lots f ways...before heat treat is the answer. [Finnr] My cheap nasty 1 inch belt sander has about a 1 1/2 inch idler that works a treat Beat that puppy in over the horn [Rich Hale] Scriber a really good line and watch it close..then when you glue and pin scales you just grind to steel [Finnr] On those the most common mistake I see is not working the front of the handle material before pinning [Rich Hale] If you forge blades that is a good way also...The point is really that if you plan for the handle and the overall look of the finished poiece as much as you do the blade you will make a good looking piece. have a couple more thoughts will take a minute or three then questions if you wish knife by Rich Hale - Blacksmith Photo Gallery how do we attach the guard on this piece and the handle materials? [steve sells] I want one of those [jimmy seale] fine workmanship [garey] recessed fit , hidden tang lots of hand filing. [Finnr] That a soldered Guard Rich ? Nice tight fitting of the guard and hand grip [Rich Hale] That blade is just like the feather pattern we looked at earlier [Finnr] OK nicely relived all round the tang [Rich Hale] I slotted the guard the sides of the blade and front of the guard were mirror polished first Then soldered the guard in place and finished it [Finnr] brass chisel for solder clean up? [markb] Did solder flow to blade guard line [Rich Hale] The slipped each individual piece,,spacers fossils wood etce,,the tang is long and comes to about a half inch or so of the butt of the handle [Finnr] solder Is dyslexia catching? [Rich Hale] Theree is a little sold line blending the two either brass or nickel pin stock with half round chisel edge [markb] Could you do without solder [steve sells]: Hey dont blame me. My Dr says I am not contagious [Rich Hale] Yep Mark and on damascus I press fit,,,use some J B weld for water tight [markb] I haven't tried solder, oh boy [Finnr] Solder is a Puppies Momma to clean up on damascus [brucegodlesky] I use JB for all guards [Rich Hale] GET a K and G catalog it 'spains it all in there [Finnr] Don't ask how I know :whistle: [Rich Hale] Lots of folks do now Bruce,,,,, [markb] 1Catalog have more than on-line [brucegodlesky] Since I file all 4 sides of the ricasso, ya dont see any gap atall [Rich Hale] Ok last one does anyone know how to fit these bolsters in place? Bolsters knife - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [markb] I couldn't find trucor? [steve sells] I hidden pin those but I am sure there MUST be a better way [Finnr] saw cut for the riccasso? [Rich Hale] I drill four holes in the blade after useing a marking pen to mark where the bolsters will be......eighth inch holes [Finnr] Yupper [garey] hidden pins [Rich Hale] Yes is that how you do your tangs? [brucegodlesky] pretty much [Rich Hale] then after heat treat I clean out the holes of any scale with a littl round diamond file. I use 416 ss for pins and bolsters [Finnr] 11:04 pm: Downright slick ! [Rich Hale] I flatten the backs of the bolsters,,polish the fronts polish the blade [markb] Nice work, under statement [brucegodlesky]well done bolsters really set off a blade [Rich Hale] Then buff the pins cut the pins off a little long and pein themn really snug then to the big anvil and a 2 lb hammer and hit them again, Then before putting on scale i grind and buf the tops off to make sure they are hidden [brucegodlesky] you use a tapered hole Rich? [garey] when you going to write a book Rich on knife making and fit & finniswh? [Rich Hale] Next life [garey] 11:09 pm: finnish ! [Rich Hale] I did not invent any of this I am like a parrot [Rich Hale] That would be nice Steve...Just precede it with the idea that ist is not to showcase or pick on any one maker.... I dont think we had anything we presented that was picked on [Finnr] First off it's obviously a turned handle, blasted hard to grip properly [steve sells] boll-A-rama pin on the end of pattern welded blade [Finnr] Yep

Rich Hale] I spoke with Steve about a thought for tonight ,,,would you like to discuss over all shapes of knives and how they relate to fitting guards etc? [steve sells] Rich is on tonight I am taking a rest [WagonMaster] Sounds good. [Rich Hale] Ok we have a motion and a second. WE have a motion and second.....sop let me mention a couple of things. This will entail looking at some knives and the first one up is a fine piece of work It wouild be really easy to get side tracked and say "how did he do that" that is for another night...so I will let you look at the pic and return...and will will mention items about the blade...enjoy the pattern but this is not about that: Go to the forums and look in the knife section at the post with Feathers in the knife section , Blacksmith Forum [garey] ok. nice pattern [Rich Hale] Take a peek and come back [Finnr] Fantastic work [jimmy seale] yes that is sick.... [garey] is that a notch in the tang? [Rich Hale] That is why I selected it Now lets look at what makes it really right...the pattern is obvioous. [garey] almost flat grind [markb] The tang is recessed all around the ricasso [Rich Hale] Look at the shoulders he has fitted for the guard to fit to [Finnr] : Nicely done plunge cuts [Rich Hale] And as mark noticed,, he has clearance the tan so he can get a really nice fit with not gaps at the guard. [garey] milling machine Rich ? [Rich Hale] I use a file Garey but a mill would work great. So planning ahead before heat treat makes life better when fitting the guard. [Cool Hand] Rich, didn't one of those pics have a "barb wire" damascus blade? [steve sells] that is a different thread [Rich Hale] Garey mentioned a couple of nothes on the tang....anyone know why? [Finnr] Grip the epoxy [markb] glue hold [garey] place for the glue to get a bite ? [Rich Hale] I believe that is what the cuts are for [markb] Do you use a clamp/guide to file [Rich Hale] No Finn mentioned the real nice job on the plunge cuts...the end of the grind where it meets the ricasso...between the guard and the grind. I do that Mark simple homemade mild steel with allen bolt as a clamp [garey] notice there is a slight radius on the tang at the top and bottom where it joins the back of the blade body? [Rich Hale] Do you notice that the ricasso area is narrower from top to bottom than the rest of the blade? [markb] stress relief [Rich Hale] Finn and Garey see all the little things that make a good blade [markb] didn't notice [Rich Hale] Why would we want the ricasso to be narrower than the blade? [garey] you got to learn from all your mistakes [Finnr] Ease in sharpening [Rich Hale] Yes, Another thing is the size of your handle material. [garey]looks better, easier to sharpen and gives more handle room [Rich Hale] If your handle material is the same size as the blade it looks nice.... If the handle is larger than the blade it seems odd [Finnr] Nice flow that way [Rich Hale] If the handle is smaller than the blade this kind of shape can blend it all together..... everyone with us so far? [Finnr] Yep [markb] ok [Rich Hale] And by the way the entire knife just reeks of craftsmanship [Finnr] Design is a MAJOR factor in knife making [garey] wonder if Rich would adopt me for a year so i could learn more from him? [steve sells] Chain saw Files, and a med and fine bite MILL file are very usefull tools for a knife maker I love my bader B3 but it has not replaced hand files [Rich Hale] bison-bowie-plus-2 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [garey] files are for fine tuening and fancy hand finishing work. [Rich Hale] The large knife in this pis is an fine example of how to make a handle and blade flow together [steve sells] : also close in shape to teh project knife [markb] several steps from handle to blade [steve sells] nice flow tho [Rich Hale] This one also 4-crosses-2 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [Finnr] I have an example here of bad flow if I may [garey] nice handle materials [steve sells] file or mill work in the metal in front of the handle ? [Rich Hale] That pic makes it look like the top of the blade does not line up with the top of the handle but i think it is the camera angle....... [markb] I like the piece behind the guard also when they put one in front, ads interest [Finnr] This is just NOT an appealing handle [Rich Hale] Finn let me work thorough these and come back if we wish [Rich Hale] Damascus knife - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [markb] woo dude could you do any more wrong [Rich Hale] This is another style ...there is no guard hanging down... [Finnr] I've seen that someplace? [steve sells] pawn shop ?> [Rich Hale] The top lines and bottom match up and carries you eye through the whole piece. This would work reall good for tutting on a board no guard in the way. Finn keep that link for me later ok? [Finnr] Will DO [Rich Hale] 12/21/08 - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [markb] The transition from blade to handle is hardest no mater how simple for me [Rich Hale] These are well made and clean blades......Any thoughts on them? I hope this helps Mark, I am selecting them at random not promoting or putting anyones work on the block here [markb] almost look like integrals [Rich Hale] How could we fit guards to those blades Damascus Hunter - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [garey] dont think you can and make it look right [Rich Hale] This is anothe nice flowing piece with the narrower ricasso aera than the blade....... Garey I would have a time with those....Would like to see how they were done Any one find the links? [markb] i got lost I'm not leav'n [Rich Hale] Any questions ? [Finnr] If you just open KNIVES in the gallery it's the first posting [steve sells] Knives - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [Finnr] leading the eye from point to buttcap smoothly makes for a nice looking ( well selling ) knife [WagonMaster] Member Profile - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [Rich Hale] I got it...There were a lot of folks selling damascus billets...this fella had a display piece... Knife Show - Blacksmith Photo Gallery This is different than we have been loooking at Does not follow wot we have discussed [Finnr] Looks subtly wromg [markb] wide blade, wider than handle [markb] like to have the tooth [steve sells] looks like too much Japanese Animation or Sinbad [Rich Hale] That is a pretty nice blade and nice guard,,,fitted with a precey whale tooth......(I may never own one) [Rich Hale] So you decide if you like it or no........The makers at this show sell a lot of knives and I saw many fitted like this [Finnr]A bit of something to flare out toward the blade would help it a whole lot [steve sells] a smaller blade would have looked better. [WagonMaster] its nice but the handle realy doesn't fit the blade.. is that correct. [markb] A brutish look [Rich Hale] I did not see this knife Cool hand took the pics...think the camera makes the blade bigger and handle smaller.... [Rich Hale] Brutish is a good word [Finnr] LOL!! I got that [Rich Hale] This is the blade that cool spoke of earlier with the barb wire...look it over Knife Show - Blacksmith Photo Gallery [markb] Some old bowies have that big blade look [Finnr] being able to see the guard from teh other side would help [steve sells] THAT is a cool pattern [Rich Hale] Great pattern in Vegas there was a guy sellilng billets with that pattern [steve sells] but seems out of balance with the handle again [markb] Nice materials but ddesign falls short IMHO [Finnr] Where the handle is level with the spine of the blade helps the flow [Rich Hale] I thin I can see the bottom of the ricasso area near the guard....? [WagonMaster] : Awful lot of blade there. [steve sells] helps but still too lartge a blade for the handle size [markb] Mongo guard [Rich Hale] What would you do with this blade ? [Finnr] Sell it? [steve sells] melt it before it got seen [steve sells] a KATAR blade with A BOWIE HANDLE [markb] Full tang centered on blade [Rich Hale] How would it look it you narrowed the ricasso area? [Finnr] Looks like the ricasso is wider than the blade in the pic [markb] Good [Rich Hale] Or a larger handle? Or both? [markb] both [Finnr] Some of each would be good [garey] put a curve in the ricasso? where it would blend in with the hanbdle? [Rich Hale] I think that would work Garey

Looking forward to it.

see the repost of the last Knife chat thread at http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f14/misc-knife-shop-talks-chat-may-29-09-a-12560/ Rich hale covered a lot on guard fitting.

in case you have not noticed, we have at the present time 11 anvils for sale here in our IFI tailgating section.