digger9523

Thanks Theo, I'll start small with typical hunters knives, then go up to a good sized Bowie. I've been greatly inspired by these two videos on youtube recently: http://youtu.be/gLlObpob6lg http://youtu.be/2f01tU9akqY I think the end piece is a masterpiece, and one day i would like to do a sword of a similar style for an old friend of mine

Hi all, I've made a few knives in the past, all stock removal, but i hope to get into pattern welding some in the forge as well. Here's a few of my past efforts, only done 10 or 11: Hope you like them, all the best, Nick

Yep, she's gonna look great by the time i'm done! Going to dress the sides once the top is done, i hear what you're saying Phil, i may just stop where i am now, build up the last few dips with weld and then do one more pass to clean up the welded area and make it true with the rest. The grinder is water cooled Mac, so the face doesn't even get warm. The ring grinder is set to take of 15 thousandths of an inch each pass and takes about 3 seconds to travel the length of the face, then it automatically comes across the width of the stone for the next pass. I've stayed with the machine all through the job, but in theory i can set it to do it all un manned until it's taken off a set amount. I estimate we've taken 5-6mm off at this stage. More pics will be posted here as and when i do anything new :)

After purchasing this, my first forge: I had to source myself an Anvil. I scoured ebay, trawled through my contacts to see if anybody knew of one, but all were either too pricey or that far away as to make it pointless driving off to pick it up! Then a stroke of luck, a time waster on ebay blew out on a deal just 10 minutes drive away from the house, a quick ebay PM, bish bash bosh, £40 later and i collect this: Happy days! :D After a quick clean up at home it looked like this: Not pretty, nearly 50 years as a garden ornament had taken its toll. So, what to do??? AHA! A few chunks of venison passed tactfully under a table later and it was in a milling machine at work having the base trued up, then across to the ring grinder and now, 7 working hours later, we have this: I estimate one more lunch break of work and she'll be ready. A touch of welding to be done, but otherwise, just what i need to get started! B)

Hi Beth, I've definitely heard of Mr Bowers! You're right, not many folk in my game that haven't! Hoping to get in the forge a couple of times this week to finish the holder. It's naturally going to be a very basic affair, but it will be the first thing I've forged, and the only instruction I've had has been from good old Youtube! How far away from the Dean are you? My mate Sid is a forestry ranger down there.

Thanks for the warm welcome folks! Hoping to have some stuff to post for your abuse/appraisal soon. Been hammering out a candle holder for a friend of mines 40th birthday next weekend, hope to get it done this week, but time is my enemy at the moment, same as a lot of folk i suppose! :D

Mate I'm sorry about Wales. Try England next time! Luckily for the neighbours I'm gifted with friends that have remote workshops that i can stick my gear in! ;-)

Hi all, just joined your forum. Member of a few others specific to my main hobbies/profession, so the format's familiar to me. I grew up on a fruit farm in the garden of England, went on to join the army for 14 years, liberated Kosovo and got Iraqi sand between my toes. Did a lot of service rifle competition shooting, came over to the states 4 times to shoot AFSAAM in North Little Rock AR. I make a few knives, mostly stock removal, but bought a forge and a tired old anvil this week, so I'm gearing up to start forging a few blades. Ultimate goal is to do some Scandinavian style laminated steel blades, then hopefully progress to pattern welding. I'm now a semi professional deer hunting/staking guide, but i also work for a diamond tool making company. I'm also hoping to earn some extra money doing some blacksmithing work for some boys i know that build and/or renovate old timber framed buildings Gonna get stuck into reading some of the many many educational posts/threads in the forum, hope to be able to contribute now and again as well. Hope the weather is fine where you are, keep your powder dry, All the best, Nick :)