coltpax

Forging is fun and pretty fast, if your not including the time to start the coal fire (like those who use propane), but stock removal is easier and i believe its safer (for the metal). I do a bit of both, but usually forge my blades. Now a few are all stock removal, but thats because either I dont know how to do it with hammer and anvil, or its not as easy with hammer and anvil.

I would use a decent spring steel and differentially treat it, or quench it and put it in the oven longer than normal. But with the weight issue, just pick what suits you. i have found that for me, a knife thats heavy in the front with a straigh handle works good.

ugh. i was eating as i was reading, and when i got to that picture, i almost lost it.

What style of sword would you call this. This is the first sword I have made, and its still in the process, but just havent decided what to call it.
Thanks for any help,
Colton

I found three of thes in the woods behind my church, and RT told me they were part of a plow share, but has anyone had experience making blades with them?


Blade? and hammer - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

The sound of firing a round can also solve a "problem" as well. So can the experience of being on the wrong end of that round.

Wow, small world. Police dont show up here either. My Grandma lives in the middle of the town, and the police have only shown up once, and then it was three hours after she called them. Now, I dont have any fancy guns like the police shotgun or an AR, but I think a double barrel is just almost as frightening. But just recently, somebody broke into the autoshop right beside the fire station. Wasnt even 10 yards away. Thats just plain dumb. Just remember, Shoot to kill because a dead man tales no tales, and also, a dead man can't sue ya (but watch out for the family).

I think it looks good. I wouldnt change a , except to maybe put a lanyard hole in that piece sticking out the back.

My friend found this book at a yard sale and got it for a few dollars, then decided to give it to me (dont know if its a compliment or an insult), but either way, I got a decent book. Good for some ideas, and i would have never thought about making a goat yoke.

k. thx. i think there maybe some gun blue around here.

I like mirror finishes, but I'm making a tactical knife, and tacticals dont usually consist of mirror finish blades. I dont have access to a bead or sand blaster, but I could try the scotch brite wheel.

I believe i would make a black powder .22 cane gun. After building a new shop to put the lathe in because I'm all out of room in my garage.

Okay, i've got a knife all polished and would probably be fine right now to use. However, I want to put a matte finish on it. i would like to know a good spray paint that can take alot of wear without rubbing off, or how i would put a matte finish on plain metal. Thanks,
Colton

What you probably saw was gun blueing.

just wash it. it should be fine to use as an eating utensil after you was it. Or, If your gonna store it in a dry place, you wont even have to do that. Just make sure you clean and dry it after use. As long as it stays dry while not in use, it should be fine.

yea, just put plug up about half of your blower.

no, you only dip in water at a dull read heat. You can still forge the punch at the normal forging temperatures, just dont dip it in the water until it is at a dull red.

"set your goals low to avoid disappointment"

Thats the one I seem to be using lately.

I have one 20lb propane tank that gets filled up when its empty. Just about every gas station around here fills them, so Its fairly easy to get filled. I only have about 60lbs of coal around because I have to drive an hour just to go get it, and then its $7 for a 40 lb. bag. Also, I dont have alot of coal around because I prefer propane unless I'm demoing.

Mercury BAD
Motor Oil GOOD
And I know you said not to ask, but how did you get it?

Beautiful and interesting pattern on that bowie. Never seen a pattern like that.

I got all my metal from helping clean up a mechanic's shop. Forge looks like a good design to me. By what I've read, sounds like your wanting to make blades. If you know a sawmill worker, you can get sawmill blades, if you know a farmer, you can get disc plow blades, or if you know a mechanic you can get leaf or coil springs. Even your neighbor might have an old lawnmower blade to spare. My best advice is to ask around, and your bound to find something.

I like to try something new, or spend about an hour just messing around with hot metal instead of trying to make something specific. I know that I got burned out about a year and a half ago, then I met a fellow smith near me that helped me get started up again,and then I also got my gasser, so now its alot easier than coal. Thats one thing that burned me out was waiting an hour to get a coal fire going, then waiting another hour afterwards for it to go out. But I have a tendency to stop smithing for a week or so because I get a little angry at some of my improvised equipment (handheld belt sander stuck in a vice), but i'll eventually have to start something and I'll get out to the forge.

I might see about ordering ne from kayne & son. It says its cast ductile iron like the ones off of ebay. I reckon when I get it, I'll post back here saying how it does.

Anyone know a place that sells a decent tomahawk drift? Looked on ebay and they had cast drifts, but not sure the quality of those tools. Thanks for any help,
Coltpax