kjbarth

Thanks Frosty for the RR spike info.  After I build my forge, I'll need some tools like tongs so maybe I can make some tongs using the RR spikes.  Will be a good learning experience.

16 hours ago, ThomasPowers said:

I graduated from Holmdel High, Holmdel NJ (mile 114-117 on the GSP)

Brings to mind the old joke, 'You from Jersey, I'm from Jersey.... What exit?'.  I'm off 145.

Hi from North Jersey.  I have no experience blacksmithing but am trying to learn.  I became interested through straight razors - I've been doing restores and honing on straight razors for a bit and thought I'd like to try to make one.  As I started researching, I thought maybe I should try making a knife or a few knives first.  I may be wrong but I figure a knife might be a little more forgiving to mistakes than a straight razor.  I have a KMG grinder. 2 buffers, a lot of honing stones and am planning to build a propane forge from an old expansion tank from my furnace.  I have a couple of 50 lb railroad track pieces and a few smaller ~20 - 25 lb pieces for my anvils for now.  I have some 1084 and O1 tool steel pieces and a bunch (40) of old railroad spikes.  I'm looking for a used HT oven but figured I ought to start doing something with what I have now before investing in an oven.

I'll be lurking all over the site trying to learn as much as I can.

Ken.