ocrossley

Thanks again Michael, yes ive heard that 1095 steel is good for certain knives. I will invest in some in the near future. I will look up Steve Sells book!

Duly noted about the quotes. 

3 hours ago, Michael Cochran said:

I know I’ve heard other places it’s often a better quality steel but I got the answer I expected. 

Ocrossley, unless yours is actually good steel your practice is only going to be so effective.  Piloting a plane is far from the same a submarine so you cannot expect to learn how to pilot a sub by flying a plane no matter how hard you try. I would suggest getting alloys you can identify and practice on that so that you’re aware of how that steel reacts to the hammer. 

Thanks a lot for the sterling advice Michael, what would you recommend? 

47 minutes ago, Michael Cochran said:

Why are you using rebar for kitchen knives? I cannot find any reference as yet showing that #14 rebar is suitable for knives. I know as a general how it’s best to stay away from rebar for anything more than what it’s meant for or for handles for PW billets. 

 

I am using it so I can work on my hammer control and other skills including fit and finish. I know I will have a far from pretty/effective blade but It's a fun project for me to undertake before starting to use more expensive steels  

32 minutes ago, JustAnotherBiker said:

Different grading and standards in the UK for rebar due to the intended structural and safety requirements so it's more of a known steel than its US counterpart 

I wasn't actually aware of that as I'm a newbie, but interesting to know as I often see a lot of bad rep about rebar from our brothers across the pond! 

Nice!

Began to draw out a massive piece of #14 rebar with a sledge with a buddy of mine to make two kitchen knives. Wanted to use power hammer but apparently, we have to earn our stripes!  We are only beginners but we are under the eye of Kevin Boys in London. Hopefully will make good Christmas presents for our partners. 

Definitely feeling it in my upper body now 

video-1512319642.mp4

welcome jason! 

9 minutes ago, Daswulf said:

Don't forget Technicus Joe who  (I believe) had his forge area in a shipping container that we would travel to. 

Thanks Daswulf, I just stumbled across his youtube! 

4 minutes ago, Charles R. Stevens said:

We have had a member forge on his apartment balcony and finish knives in his closet. Another smith hid his forge in a barbecue grill and forged on campus behind the dorms. As a farrier I forge out of a truck most often and vans were often used when coal forges were the norm for farriers. Honestly a workable smithy will fit under a 10' popup canopy, but it would then take a truck to haul it.

their is a guy over in Eastern Europe who backpacks from town to town with forge and anvil.

4

Thanks for the swift reply Charles. 

Wow, those examples are amazing! Such dedication! 

And thank you for offering to help me out with kit, Southern Hospitality at its finest.

Looking forward to speaking again. 

Hey There! 

Thanks for letting me be a part of this wonderful group.

This Sunday just passed I had my first blacksmithing lesson with London Blacksmith Kevin Boys and managed to come out with this basic Viking ladies knife  (I think? ), pictured below, in a little over 2 hours! 

I have been simply obsessed with blacksmithing for about 2 years now, but haven't been able to pursue anything... Partly to do with living in central London ( You know how hard it is to find a forge in London?!) and also with me finishing my University studies. This is the first time I have been able to put things id learnt on paper into actual physical use and nothing has ever felt better! 

Its so primal and elemental!

I thought I would join the group so I can learn more and more every day, and that I can also keep some folks up to date with my progression in my weekly 2 hour class and my quest for a reasonably priced workshop! 

Thanks all and hello!