Redneck carp's-tongue

Well, for the record I plan to quench it with salt water. plus, it's smaller than the real thing, at around 12in. My mom only wanted to use it as a pruning knife after seeing the partially-forged blank. I just chose the design because I liked it. Oh, and for the steel, I plan on using 5160. I know by this point that stainless is not good knife steel. I have made (and heat treated, and quenched) tools in the past: a pair of weed-pullers, both of which worked very well despite being made of construction steel. Those two were excellent learning experiences, as were a "Eta-hook" and a double-S hook I made long before posting this. I, unfortunately, do not have a drill press, though I do have clamps. Not as good a solution, but still a solution nonetheless. Really, really good advice, though!

(FYI, In-between this and my last post I did some fairly extensive research on knife-making so I should at least know most, if not all, the basic principles). So, after having read the knife-making classes multiple times over and reading through a book on knives and swords, I decided I would seriously try to make a small Yataghan. I've also outlined a plan for that: First, my and my father have already cut a 36'' construction steel bar (that we bought at a hardware store) into three even (12'') pieces for use as a trial run of sorts; the actual blade that I show will be made out of proper cutlery steel. The second stage of the plan was to form the forward curve most typical Yataghans exhibit, which was easy enough. There are three more stages for the prototype, and roughly two more for the actual finished blade: forming the point: this is possibly going to be the most difficult out of all the processes, because it will require either extensive file work or a grinder. Alternately, my dad has a hacksaw, so I could just cut out the shape I want. Sharpening: again, going to require file work. because of my knife's 8in. blade, how long will it take to sharpen all 8 inches? handle and tang: this will be made of wood and pinned in through holes. Processes for the finished blade: paracord handle wrap: in addition to wood scales, the handle of the final Yataghan will be wrapped in epoxy-secured paracord and possibly tape. scabbard: my dad has worked leather in the past, so he agreed to craft a leather sheath for my non-prototype knife. Uses for the knife: my mother wants a garden, and she also wants trees. she does see potential use of my Yataghan in the form of a pruning knife. Questions: First, what do you think of my plan? Second, what other uses could you people potentially find for a knife like this? Also, any further advice you would like to give?

good enough. I might actually go to metalbender's shop once I am actually ready to forge the knife; right now I am making a crude "rapier" out of a cylindrical rod (I've finished the actual forging part; all that's left is to file and mount the "blade"). wish me luck.

Wow! That looks just like something you would find in a museum! Have you got an idea for the sheath? (I'm not actually sure what actual Tachi sheaths would have been made of. Lacquered wood, maybe?) It is rather honestly amazing for a first try. Good luck to subsequent swords!

That is exactly what I meant to propose when I asked this. Anyone still care to name a website or book?

Hrmm....All good (if unexpected) information; better than I had expected. Though, as I mentioned, this is a future project. I could learn some of these techniques from reading or internet research (in fact, I saw a competitor on Forged in Fire who did this extensively and explains he was basically self-taught). So, on that note, where would some of these learning resources be? Anyone care to name a particular book or website?

Spring steel, huh. I think I could just buy a stock of that in bar form at a hardware store, though I could be mistaken. and finally, what about the design of the knife in general? Is it an easy design to make?

I had actually counted the sheath as part of the metalworking process. so, anyone have an idea on what kind of easily-available steel I could use?

During my absence from posting on the forum, I have officially made a simple tool (a weed-puller, from the aforementioned "duck-bill"). what's next on my resume? Making a simple, barebones knife. Thing is, knife making involves a lot more than just forging or cutting out the blade. My question is are there any other aspects of knife manufacture that involve a craft other than metal smithing (other than making the handle or sharpening) and where can the materials necessary to make a knife be found (such as wood for the handle, files, cheap blade steel, etc.)? as for the knife design, I was thinking of a crude facsimilile/bastardization of a Persian fighter-type knife with a large, thick, somewhat long tang with a simple wooded handle. For a first-time smith, would that be an easy project?

Oh, thanks. Well, I've got a few ideas for what I could do that would require your help, but those are a little far off. It might be a while before I post again, just to get the hang of things.

I actually planned on reading some of the articles. This was just an introductory post. Looks like I came to the right forum. Do you happen to have anybody in Manor or Austin (both in Texas)?

Hi! I have literally just started forging using a backyard contraption made of fire-retardant brick and fueled by lump charcoal. I managed to curve a part of a steel rod into a hook with a crude "duck-bill", and I have also managed to lengthen another steel rod. Given that this is all beginner stuff, one would expect that I'm here to learn. And you'd all be right. While I do have lofty fantasies of what I could create, I came here for the purposes of learning basic techniques and then working my way up to those thoughts (eventually). WHY I'D LIKE TO BE A BLACKSMITH: I'm interested in weapons, armor, and military equipment in general (both ancient and modern). In addition, I find working metal to be an art form, and it's one I'd personally like to specialize in. In addition, I first got into learning about blacksmithing as a hobby. THE TYPE OF BLACKSMITH I WOULD BE: I'd either be a bladesmith, gunsmith/gunmaker, and armorer (or all three/some combination of two), largely because of the first of the above reasons and (in the case of gunsmithing/gunmaking) as a (potential) career. WHAT I'D LIKE TO LEARN: simply put, anything that has to do with blacksmithing and its sub-occupations. The only restrictions on what I want to learn are when I can learn it and if I have the resources available to learn. For now, I'll just ask about the beginner aspects. (Yes, I am aware that gunsmiths work with a lot more than just metal. I only mentioned that as a future career.)