Tubalcain2

SUPER neat.

Todah, achi. Did TT see it? I would be curios as to his opinion... I think.

Definitely a super unique forge.

Nice job as far as the knife goes. Can't say I would ever think to combine warthogs and lavender...

Thanks, Guys! Before a forged the bevel, I made a set hammer/flatter which REALLY helps get a nice finish on the bevel before the cleanup on the grinder.

Thanks!

I have been dabbleing in Scottish history a bit recently, and, me being a burnewin, it has naturally it has taken the form of making Scottish weapons. I REALLY like dirks, so I will probably try a "take 2". Blade Is ??? from a coil spring, handle is a rather unique bit of walnut. Blade is 10 inches.The false edge on the back dosn't show to good in the pictures... This was my first time hot fitting a handle, as well as my first time cold-peening a tang, so I am glad it turn out. Critique and advice always welcome!

I made my 185 lb striking anvil with a 1 1/4 inch hardy hole to match that on my anvil. That is enough to drift most hammer heads and tomahawks/hatchets. If I ever need anything larger I can weld another (larger) hardy hole to the anvil block just like I did the first one. Like John said, start basic and expand as needed.

Build it like you think you will need it. If you make a lot of axes The drift hole would be smart. If you make nothing but Jewelry, maybe not so much....

Welcome to the world of high carbon! Sounds like you are off to a good start

No sir. Quite a unique experience. And all 8 fingers! I count 'um every morning to make sure...

Yup. I have an inch long scar across my nose now from holding steel poorly. SUPER IMPORTANT!!!

When I was 14, Starting a business was the excuse I used to convince my mom to let me blow the $800 I had saved on smithing equipment.

Super sweet.

I got In to it because my best friend got in to it. Then I got Hooked/addicted, and continued doing it because I couldn't Imagine stopping.

K, I think that makes sense.

OK, wow. You obviously know a lot more on this subject than I do. hypereutectoid? could you explain this term? Could you also explain soaking? I have heard the term bandied around, but I don't know that I understand it

Brought up to critical, did an oil quench, tempered for an hour at 375. This was a couple years ago when I was first starting out. With what I know now I would do 2 tempering cycles at a higher temp, maybe 425. That said, I beat that blade around pretty bad and never had any issues with it. Most of my metallurgy at the time was based of off the 50$ knife shop book.

Why not 1095? that was the steel I used on my first knives, and I have found heat treating it to be pretty simple.

Welcome to the forum! Not bad for a first project. There will probably be a million and one people who will be along to say this in not too long, but about forging knives... Please don't take this as discouragement or criticism, I am saying this out of the desire to keep you on as straight of a learning curve as possible. As fun as knife making is, it is a fairly advanced level of forge work. I would highly recommend starting out with simple projects in mild steel. learn the way the metal moves, and learn get your hammer smacking exactly where you want it. Then, start reading up on metallurgy and heat treating. KNOW at least the basics of steel structure and how steels respond to heat treating before you start thinking about knives. This will save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. Just as a point of reference, It took me about a years time smithing before I could forge a usable knife, and looking back at it I can barely call it a knife. Not that it takes everyone that long, but that is what it took me. Hope this helps

Can't read xxxxxxxxxx what you said, but that sure is purty.

You know the situation best, and if you think you have to drop it, that is your call. Tough decision to make. Just remember that If you ever change your mind, there are always people willing to help. My little podunk town is hardly a destination point for an overseas traveler, put if you ever come by, my shop is always open to other smiths. Shalom my brother

Well, your best is definitely better than mine.

Wow. I love it.

I would have thought you would have outgrown the urge to suck on things.