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The guard is too thin and the blade is too bulky. Does the steel have enough carbon to heat treat?

I don't know what kind of steel the blade is made of. I didn't buy it from a manufacturer; I bought it from a steel shipping warehouse that had a scrap pile, but thankfully the steel itself is not of poor quality. I will see if I can heat treat it tomorrow, but I thought that I saw some colour on the blade after I was done working it.

I bought a few pieces of steel the other day and decided to try my skills out on it. I started working the blade on friday, and I thought it would be smart to bring it here to ask for suggestions on what to improve, what to get rid of... etc. I have attatched photos of my work. Any comments. suggestions, or questions are welcome.

Knives and Scabbards, Museum of London has over 300 knives from the medieval period found in excavations around London.  Not many pictures but every one has a very nicely done archeological drawing TO SCALE.  With the aid of a photocopier that can enlarge stuff to set amounts you can blow up a drawing to the exact original size to work from.  If you really like it you can glue the pic on thin sheetmetal and cut out a metal version---scratching MOL and the knife number allows you to keep track of the designs...  It also has information on, metallurgy, handle materials and construction methods....

The knife making classes are a fantastic resource,

 

http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/148-knife-making-class-101/

 

For me I have to go thru them slowly, trying out what's being done for myself before things begin to make sense.  All of the knives I've made to this point are full tang knives so yesterday I was reading & rereading the threads on handles until I could start to understand what I'll need to do for a stub tang.  Even then I'll likely have questions which no one here is going to mind if at least they can see that I've read what's posted and tried to apply it, and then need help.

 

What type of steel are you using at this point?  I copy profiles of knives that I like, including ones that others post here.  My first knives were paring knives from my kitchen that I cloned, using old files which can be 1095 steel.

BundleRiff,

 

I Did not mean to offend or discourage you.  And I encourage you to try all that you wish.   Probably too long away from the fire that has me all grumpy. Jim Hrisoula has written 3 very Good books on Knife making (I hear tell of a fourth?).  I highly recommend them.  There are many other books and even videos available for sale on the internet through Amazon or usaknifemaker and the like.  Loads of good information.  Learn all you can.   And if funding is an issue, you can try your local library.    I find that if you look hard enough, then internet will provide more answers than one might care for.  On google if you type in "free blacksmithing books" or "Free knifemaking books",  you will find plenty of info to keep you busy for a long while.   A very good knife can be made with not much more than fire in a hole in the ground, a rock for an anvil and a hammer of some sort.  If you want it to look shinier, a file goes a long way.  More than one way to skin a cat, but the basics remain the same.

 

Good Luck, and Keep on Forging.    

 

-Bruno

Thank you all very much for the books. I'm sorry if my post wasn't the clearest or the best qualitywise, but nevertheless I am greatful that you took the time to give me more help in my career. If I have any other questions, I'll be sure to come here before I try and search through google.

Thanks and have a nice weekend,

BundleRiff

You have unknowingly used the incorrect wording in your post. 

 

You did not list your location so we can not direct you to a blacksmith in your area. We cannot suggest other information in your area. It is a small thing (located in your profile) but it has many advantages.

 

You only own one blacksmithing book. What is the title? Did you read and apply the information from the book? Why not seek out additional books for additional information. Many are listed in the book section of IForgeIron. Blacksmithing books that are free to download are listed behind the downloads tab on the forum page.

 

Did you read the knife classes, or the knife section of IForgeIron? Was the information helpful?

 

Did you use google to find what was available to you from the internet? What sites or forums did you visit and were they helpful to you?

 

Why not move from making small knives to making larger knives. What size or style knives have you made. Please attach photos so we can both see your work and make suggestions for improvements.

 

We encourage newbes. They need to show us they are interested and are trying. They need to take the suggestions made out to the forge and use the information. Then show us what you made, ask how to fix the problems you may have encountered, and more information will come your way.

 

Rough starts are sometimes caused by a lack of base knowledge to draw from when asking your question. Just like a car, once you get past the rough start, let it warm up a bit or digest and research the information provided, then move slowly down the road until you feel comfortable. Build up speed and before long you will be teaching others.

 

I'm already apprentacing under a master for starters; I've been working with him for eight months or so. His name is Michael Sobrado of Dragonforge Ironworks. Here is his website: http://dragonforgellc.com/

The title of the book I own is called "The Skills of A Blacksmith: Volume 1" by Mark Aspery. The book is about basic blacksmithing and has no schematics I can follow that I haven't done already. I looked around my shop and found the second volume in his series as well, which means I can work on more things over the weekend. I have made multiple hand chisels already and I have heat treated one of them. I haven't been able to find any good online resources, and my time to search is limited because of my highschool. I do have a library nearby, but it is almost useless since they don't carry many books at all. This is the first forum that I found online, and by looking at reply and post counts, it seems I picked a very active and helpful one.

The knives I have made are somewhat small and crude. I have steel, but I am still not sure how I want the blades to look or really how to make one. I have attatched pictures of an example of what I have made.

Thank you for taking the time to write back to me.

BundleRiff,  If you are not just a Troll (no offense),  your question will breed discontent and laughter from the members of this forum.   There is no such thing as a "How to make the ultimate sword for Newbies" book. If you are serious,  Read all you can, learn all you can, and practice.  No shortcuts exist.  This forum is Full of information and insults to get you well on your way.  All you need to do is put in the work.   Interested in European swords ?   Find the literature.   Google has an app for that I think.  Between historical accuracy and the methods historically accurate and modern, you have your work cut out for you.   If all else fails, then simply forge something (try it),  and if you survive unscathed, learn from any mistakes you've made.  I think that's how they did it thousands of years ago before google.  Always trying stuff attempting to make it better.

I didn't mean to write this post as a troll post, I'm just seeking information. If you truely believe that I am trying to XXXX  with you guys with this post then you're mistaken. I'm sorry if I didn't make my post clear enough, and as I reread my post it is pretty broad (writing has never been my strong suit). I only requested any names of books, paperback or otherwise, to help me teach myself. If this post is seriously bugging you, then I can scrap it and rewrite it, making it clearer. Thanks for atleast reading my post,

-BundleRiff

You need to read and follow the ToS before posting again. . http://www.iforgeiron.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

Generally its no fussin, no cussin, and treat people with respect.

Does anyone know of any websites or books where I can get some schematics for european style swords, swordguards, etc...? I'm in need of guidebooks as well. I can't see my master that often, and I only own one book of basic smithing, so more books and instructions would be appreciated. Anything is useful at this point; I'm getting kind of tired of making small knives.