aaamax

Enthusiasts, how far would you all travel to pick up a nice unit?  So often things pop up and at a very fair price, but the distance is too much for me.

I suppose if one is anvil-less then on would be more prone to make the excursion.

Here is a classic example of one that makes my heart go piter-pat.   Over 200kg and clean edges for $500ish, Oh my...  But a 10 hour round trip doesn't sound like fun and I sure as sheets don't need another anvil.

I had trouble getting my 107kg in the truck, this would be a bear.

On 5/4/2024 at 1:33 AM, jlpservicesinc said:

it depends what you are after and your skill set. 

wow, some serious skills their on display.  Impressive.

The drawknife looks to have a Hamon line, yes?  How did you develop that, or did I not catch that it had wrought for the spine?   did you grind off the teeth on that one first?  I see no left over artifacts, so clean.

The 20 min blade as well seems so clean at the edge.  How was that acomplished?

On 4/29/2024 at 5:52 AM, HondoWalker said:

bastard file a forum member was nice enough to give me. I made a simple knife out of it. The file ridges make it serrated. It'll cut thick leather like it's paper. 

this is something I wrestle with a lot.  To forge the file as is, or to first grind the teeth off?

since I live out in the country, I have access to more hoof files going to the dump than I know what to do with.  I have made some blades and pull knives I am happy with, but if I didn't grind off the teeth first, I end up cursing myself afterwards.  Or if I do grind, I wonder why I didn't simply use some fresh 1080 for whatever the project is.

But it is always tough to say no to first class high carbon when it's offered, even if it has teeth...

What do you guys usually do, grind, no grind?  what kind of projects?

Never did think about utilizing the "teeth" to allow for a semi serrated edge as the OP outlined.  I will have to give that a try.  If it works out, then there is the natural project for old Ferrier files.

9 hours ago, Frosty said:

So, what you going to make?

 I was going to ask the same question.  

Often good high carbon, but a bit of a bear to get to knife blank thickness.   Fold around hatchets are an option.

On 1/27/2024 at 3:43 AM, Frosty said:

Lifting it is easy. Find something that'll support more than you think it ways, say 500-600lbs. A sawhorse directly over one set of legs should do nicely. Make a sling around horn and heel that loops over a 2x4 on edge. With the horse say 2' from the anvil and say 6' on the other side you can lift it like it weighs nada.

@Frosty

Friend, I have read this several times and I am having trouble visualizing your description.  Can you possibly reword this a touch and maybe I can grasp it.  because it sounds like a terrific approach... if I can figure it out... LOL.   

"The sawhorse directly over one set of legs."  A sawhorse with 4 legs and placed over or to the side of the anvil? Won't this tip over?

English is a tough language with all its nuances. 

thanks in advanced.

On 2/7/2024 at 8:07 AM, swedefiddle said:

hold your dinner plate.

In your living room by the fireplace on a block with wheels lookin' all purty.   buffet stand many a times...

@bluerooster
The sandwich idea would fit right at home with Japanese blade construction.  Give a search on the web for details.  

Will it help with micro fractures...  well...  for a kitchen knife you'll maybe get away with it.  heavy use, not so much.

good luck.
 

oh my that is nice.

Would enjoy hearing the story of how you found it, more details = more fun.

I'm guessing our new friend is a picker and won't be here long, which in no way is meant as a disparaging remark.  If it weren't for pickers, there would be even more fine anvils, guitars, you name, lost to the junk heap.

I'm sure she will find a good home and the OP will have been deservedly well rewarded.

Cheers.

4 hours ago, George N. M. said:

broadening the area just behind the edge will take the edge with it and straighten the waves.

oh that's good!  And then any slight wave that is left at the tip maybe just grind down on the vertical since we've elongated the face a tad.

I have a very large (280mm) Japanese style cleaver (chukabocho) project in 1080 that has vexed me for quite the while.  I may have to revisit it soon.  -18c here makes for less than comfortable time in the shop.

35 minutes ago, Goods said:

Plan at this point is to cut it down to a reasonably sized kitchen knife.

Looks like there is still enough material to keep on trying to get the edge right.

Why not throw it back in the heat and have another go at it?

Granted, I always have a tough time keeping cleavers straight.  there is so much face and once you get one area correct, the other goes wonky.  Nakiri size is easier.

good luck.

JHCC, those pics are dynamite and a shop to be envied.

cheers.

23 hours ago, JHCC said:

be in the hammer-buying

Love it.  hanging a new handle is such the rewarding activity.  

I often throw to the side nice straight grained firewood when it pops up.  then when bored will rough shape into rectangles, waiting for its new home.  

can never have too many hammers.  just look at my avatar... even if many of those were hung in a hurry with whatever branch I could find, LOL.  I call them " future projects."

9 hours ago, Nobody Special said:

Tomorrow, I think we'll make a stand for one of the post-vises and maybe a stand for tongs and tools

that looks like a massive hand sledge you have there.  what weight is that and do you use it regularly?

is your shop outdoors?  Looks like a lot of light streaming in.  but I see el machines as well, so maybe not...

cheers.

All good info, thanks.

One would think that using a forge outdoors would be the best.  but every time I have  done that it seems like I can never position myself up wind...  kind of funny constantly dancing around trying to avoid the fumes.

On the topic of stoves.  We ended up with an odd piece some years back.  A range that has 2 el plates, 2 gas and an el griddle, coupled with an el oven.  never had seen both on a range before, but I will admit the that for simply boiling something up, el is quite handy. oTherwise, cooking on an el plate is no fun.  zero control.

18 hours ago, Nobody Special said:

Avoid breathing particulates from grinding

Good point.  I wonder how long the particulate matter stays airborne?  I do a fair amount of metal grinding and usually wait a minute or so before removing my mask.  To be honest, I truly like the way steel smells during grinding... LOL.  masking is relatively new for me, it wasn't until by chance I heard about the possible hazards.  

I even know of a few guys that are masked up during their forging.  That is a bridge too far for me.

Is the reality simply that there will always be some degree of smoke/dust from the active forge indoors?

Every shop I have ever been in has the smell of burnt coal and misc residue near the forge.  Never thought much about it before until one of my kids pointed out that my clothes have that smell  afterwards and that it can't be healthy...

Does anyone have a setup where there is good air quality in your shop?  If so, how do you go about achieving this?

Nice.

how do you go about making that crescent moon shape?  the only way I can make such detail is with a dremmel.

here is the pic:

A Really nice one you have there Frf and a bit unusual in my area.

Here's another one that has popped up.

Pretty darn clean, a good weight and roughly $800

On 4/23/2022 at 9:48 PM, Mothman_c3w said:

I found that I could beat out one of the larger hooks in just under 6 minutes

impressive.  

It takes me two heats to make a decent hook with hot punches for the holes.

Can be done in one, but it is so much nicer to work with soft metal at heat.  And when you're doing a lot of them, I set up one side of the forge with the first heats, the opposite side is the second.  No down time and no fishing around. 

I'm a bit late to the party, but gladly chime in.

The double horn is a bit more unusual than the London pattern for Söderfors.  For some reason around here in Sweden, when the double horn version pops up, they are usually beat to xxxx.  Yours is a very nice example and since you seem to like Kohlswa, this is the obvious choice.

In regards to splurging on your purchase.  I absolutely believe that having a tool, in this case your new anvil, that you love, makes the whole process of doing what we do that much more enjoyable.   I sometimes go out to the workshop just to stand and look at my favorite pieces.  The wife thinks I'm nuts...

You will have the company of a terrific piece of equipment at your side for the rest of your life.  For what is probably the difference of just a few nights on the town dining-out. 

Figured that some of you might enjoy seeing a 200kg Söderfors.

The anvil is a local sale (roughly $800) to which of course I will not divulge the who or where so as not to run a foul with the moderators.

A funny stand and its on wheels, which is apparently heavy as well.

Cheers.

On 3/12/2022 at 12:32 PM, Chad J. said:

Ran into a leather worker at the artisans market that asked about closers for leather book covers.   After a quick discussion about what she was looking for I said I'd see what i could come up with.  Well 20 minutes in the shop and some 1/4" scraps later.  She paid me for these and 2 more.  

would be interesting to see them in action.  How do they work? They seem quite large.

Biggundoc,

The biggest difference you would find would be in petrol prices.  Here it is close to $2 a liter.  BUT, one generally doesn't drive as much here as the average American presumably does.  Aside from that, your grocery bill and all else would look about the same.  However, we are one of the last State controlled liquor retailers.  Meaning that there is only one outlet for purchases and some towns/villages don't have one.  So you have to drive to the nearest one which can be over 45minutes away in the next larger town.  [Political content removed]

But as with all things, there is the good and the bad.  It is all about finding the balance that works for you.

Personally anything north of Stockholm is too nasty weather wise.  I would stay south of Stockholm if one could choose.

Cheers.

Bigundoc,  You're right, a lot of fine American steel made its way over here.  Many post war, service HD Flatheads are still on the road here.  Very cool.

On Sunday's with nice weather you will see a lot of vintage Detroit machines, totally restored, cruising down the way.

Since  salt on the roads is popular during the winter months, these vehicles don't go out into harsh elements and have a pampered existence.

But not today, we just had a snow flurry 20 minutes ago... LoL.

9 hours ago, BIGGUNDOCTOR said:

After I sell my folks estate in CA I could buy that and move.  Not a fan of rain and snow though, but that is a beautiful shop.

I wonder if the Swedish bikini team is still active

Any restrictions on non Swedes owning property.

LoL,

I'm guessing the taxes you'll end up paying for the sale of California real estate would by a few shops here.

As far as I know foreigners can own property here.  The problem is with staying any length of time for non residents. 

Political content removed.