Crazy Ivan

I don't think it would be a leg for something because when mounted, the serial number would be positioned upside down (unlikely though still possible I guess). It may be usable in a swage block or stake plate however.

Are you saying you hit a section of railroad track with a hammer and it crumbled? I'm thinking either your description of what is going on is a little lacking or maybe you are just about the toughest smith I ever heard of!! If the material you are talking about was heated in the forge, then struck and it crumbled on you, that sounds to me like you had yourself a piece of cast iron and not high carbon steel. I am only guessing though because there is not much detail in the OP. If you would elaborate a little bit more as to what you did and what the material was, we may be able to give you a more accurate assessment. -Crazy Ivan

EDC is an acronym for "every day carry" referring to knives that are a legal length to carry on your person in public. I second that motion and suggest you forego the debating and carry on to posting pics of the finished product! :D -Crazy Ivan

Happy birthday Frosty! -Crazy Ivan

I like that. Got any pictures from other angles? The candle rest is a really nice touch too. -Crazy Ivan

The shape on the end looks like the horn on a saddle. Maybe used to work leather for a saddle's horn? -Crazy Ivan

Thanks for the comments! After some more digging i found some more pieces for my next "scrapmascus" billet and put them to the side. Another dull and useless file, pallet banding, bandsaw blades, 5160, and some kind of mystery steel railroad clip (I'm gonna do some tests and figure out if it is suitable). I think I might try a twisted pattern on this one. Its gonna be a while before I get around to it because I'm starting a big sculpture tomorrow and will be working on that for the next few weeks. I'll be sure to post pics of the next billet though! -Crazy Ivan

I think there is a huge difference in copying someones finished product and copying someones details. I think copying someones finished work and passing it off as your own is wrong unless the original creator of the piece in question gives permission for you to make it (selling also brings up other arguments). However, when taking someones features they use or originated, I could argue that most everything made by us IS some else's ideas. Somebody was the first to design and make a basket, a scroll, a heel tenon, etc so technically you would be taking some else's idea in re-producing those as a part of what you are making. Do they own those designs exclusively and indefinitely?...I don't think so. Knowledge/designs/and techniques needs to be shared and encouraged. My 2 cents. -Crazy Ivan

'?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>> An older conversation on the topic of using this to cut rail. -Crazy Ivan

I have seen similar minded folks as apprentice ironworkers some years ago. (mind the metphors to follow) I was a connector and some 1st year apprentices come on the job (1st day ever with a spud wrench in their hands) saying they "only work the high steel" I keep the laugh to myself and nudge the raising gang forman (the reality slap soon follows). Long story short, I have seen many 1st year apprentices get up on the high steel and freeze...cannot even step back to get off it. I even had to signal the crane operator once to pick one kid off the iron by his harness to put him down on the decking below so he could start moving around again and relax (we called him sea-level after that because he needed to remain at sealevel to function). Two years later that very same kid was running the iron like he was born up there. The point to the story being that you need to learn to walk before you can run...(sometimes they need to learn to crawl before they even try to walk). That is something that seems long forgotten these days. Baby steps get the goods in time. My 2cents. -Crazy Ivan Oh, and on the point of metaphors....I do not in any way consider myself a "connector" as reference to my level of smithing (for anyone who knows about structural ironworking). I was just using the story as a reference point of similar circumstance. :) -Crazy Ivan

I see a Japanese style straight peen hybrid hammer hiding in there. -Crazy Ivan

Well, I searched for quite some time (now I'm very curious) and found nothing about them other then they exist....They are however listed in the 'Anvils In America' book which I know some members on this site own. I'm sure one of them will find this thread and give you the low-down. On a side note, I did find out that my Mousehole anvil was made between 1790-1795! Wish I could be more help. -Crazy Ivan

I can't be of any help with this one, but since I have not heard of this brand before, I'm curious. Got any pictures? -Crazy Ivan

Some more photos as requested. http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37987-1st-pattern-welded-knife/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37986-1st-pattern-welded-knife/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37985-1st-pattern-welded-knife/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37984-1st-pattern-welded-knife/ http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37983-1st-pattern-welded-knife/

Sure thing. I'll try and have more pics up in a couple hours. -Crazy Ivan

I love it! I'll put this one on the to do list! Thanks for posting. -Crazy Ivan

After cleaning and re-organizing my shop I had a few little pieces of high(er) carbon steel, so instead of tossing them, I decided to make a billet . I call it the junk knife (made from would be trash). It is made up of a piece from a broken file (1095?), some 5160, busted band saw blades, and mild steel (billet would be really really tiny without that). Welded it up in my gas forge, 163 layers, and cut an 'X' pattern in it before drawing out to size. The handle is a piece of hickory from a busted hammer handle and the bolster is aluminum. Etched it in distilled white vinegar for a couple hours, taking it out periodically to get the bubbles that formed around the blade off and make sure it did not pit or anything like that. I am not much for knife making, but had a good time making this little thing. Definitely not the last billet I will make. :) Critique is appreciated (Honesty is the best policy) because if I'm not learnin, I ain't earnin! -Crazy Ivan http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/image/37982-first-pattern-welded-knife/

BTW, we love pictures here! ;)

Hubbard. I have a couple hammers made for PRR by Hubbard. -Crazy Ivan