John R

So gents I have pounded a lot of steel but never have forge welded, as in making laminated, or Damascus blades. My question: When stacking the layers, do you apply any flux prior to the heat? Seems a little difficult to place the borax between the un-forged layers. Or do you heat and forge first, the apply the flux at forging temperature, the continue with forging and bending, continuing to apply the flux? In reading Steve Sells book, it appears that he stacks the layers and does the first forging, then applies the flux as he bends and continues with the forging/layering process. I am assuming that you have to be at forging heat to melt the borax and have it flow. Thanks!

Nice looking anvil. I have 4 that are in semi-storage, as I am building a forging shed now behind the main shop. Last time I pounded iron was around 1990. I am in Port Angeles, not far from you. I joined the NWBA a couple of months ago but have been very disappointed with the lack of participation by others. Seems like a dead site to me.

I have a total of 4 anvils, sadly, all sit idle now in my shop. Soon to change as I am laying the foundation now for a forge shed behind the shop. I will radius the edges on all of them when they are properly mounted out in the forge shed. And all will be cleaned up. Can't wait! Ordered knife steel yesterday and today.

Here is mine. 196 pounds. 1929. Beautiful ring!!! The name is stamped on the side. Soon to be placed in my new forging shed behind the main shop.

I stumbled into the 1045 and 1095 some 25 years ago. Found it at a machine shop auction. No one else knew what it was or wanted it, so I got it at a low bid. Most is flat bar stock. Now stashed in the barn, I have a small supply in the shop. I will pass it along to the grand kids one day, one is a pretty talented fabricator and likes to play in my shop. Two pieces are in the last photo above alongside the knife blank. Perfect forging size!

It will get a lot of use. The forge, 4 anvils, a dozen or so sets of tongs, hardies, many hammers and other things are waiting for the vise to be set up. Next week I will search for a large timber to set in concrete for mounting the vise. And there is over 600 pounds of 1045 and 1095 waiting. I mainly work with knives. I found a little brother to the 120 pounder and will pick it up later this week. At 40 pounds it will be a gem.

Threads are in great shape, they still have grease.

At least I think it is a Columbian. Experts, chime in and tell me what you think it is. Jaws are in perfect alignment and the jaw faces are smooth. Everything is there: Clamp, spring, clamp wedges, bench mount. Even the original 5/8 square head bolts and nuts. The hammers, hot chisel and hot punch came with it. Got it today from a picker that found it at a barn sale. Life is good!