j.w.s.

The ratio is 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part FeCl2. Add the H2O2 slowly, wait for the visible reaction to slow down completely then add more until you've hit the correct ratio. When using something as strong as 9% or 12% H2O2 be sure you're mixing in Pyrex or another heat capable vessel as the reaction is a little more aggressive and the exothermic reaction can release temperatures in excess of 140F! There is some math needed to figure out dilution for blade etching, but I've experienced great results straight as mixed using 5% H2O2 and 31.54% HCl. This isnt like the FeCl3 you get at radio shack where it has to be diluted prior to blade etching. J

My large hydraulic tank has an automotive type filter on the return and a magnet that is suspended on a rod connected to the cap in the tank through the fill port. Both seem to catch any unwanted particles in the tank. My valve only bypasses the flow so any time it's running idle the oil circulates through the tank about once every 2 minutes or so. Yes, its a closed system, but things can still get in there, just dont ask me how. J

​I'm leaning that way.. and I wish I had a fly-press.. if I were to do it with pneumatic, I would make it the same way my current holder works.. that rests the stamp directly on the work piece, then it with the pneumatic arm.. sorta like using a dye in a power hammer.. I've got a few parker 5 port valves, momentary switches and relays so it wouldn't be that difficult to hook up. J

I've been looking at my touchmark recently, and while I love it, I do know I get inconsistent results. My stamp is from CMT, pricey but they did a good job. I made a c-style frame and holder for it that allows me to put my blade in using either x or y orientation, but if my hammer comes down a hair to one side or another I usually end up with a mark that half disappears in the final polish. Anyway, looking around my shop I realize I've got almost a dozen different hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders ranging from 5" to 14" tall & 250lb to 8500lb displacement.. So, my question is, anyone ever built a cylinder driven touchmark and if so, whats better? A fast air powered ram with a few pounds added for force or a hard but slower hydraulic mechanism? J

Absolutely stunning. I love the lines. Care to share your method of forging these? J

while I like the handles, I love the photography, your composition and contrast are top notch. hats off, that's some beautiful work and the hammering is good too! J

​There's about 12" of that workbench not visible, and there was a piece of wax paper there, but with operating a camera, construction going on nearby and countless other distractions it wasn't actually used in the video.. lol this is what happens when you try to film by yourself - but every damp spot got a good dusting of baking soda afterwords. Thanks for the kind words though! J

​Thank you, I love making these videos.. lol.. but I always said, that if I knew at 17 what I know now about the chemistry, physics and math involved in blacksmithing (and bladesmithing specifically) I probably would have been turned off, but now I really love it.. I get to be a scientist every day.. granted, probably more along the mad line and greasy, dirty, soot and coal covered sweaty one, but a scientist none the less.. J

Here's a video I just shot and uploaded to YouTube. This is the process I use to make my own ferric chloride for etching San Mai and Damascus knife blades. The ratio is fairly simple, 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to one part ferrous chloride. The first step in this video demonstrates how to make ferrous chloride, the second step changes it rapidly to our desired ferric chloride. Perhaps someone will find it useful. J NOTE Proper safety protocols state to always add acid, so to make a correction to this video one needs to add the ferrous chloride to the hydrogen peroxide.

H13 has a max working temp of 1000F, not perfect as thats the extreme but its about the best you'll find. I get drops locally for around $1 / lb but for tool making that's not too bad, I'm not buying a lot. That being said I've made them from 1018 and have had them for years! Depends a lot on your use - most of the time I just cut on the sharp edge of my anvil - no time to find a tool when I'm working. J

If you look up the video I did on cable damascus you can see my use of a similar hammer. Search the forums here or just google 'jwsblades', I've got a small video page on my website - just because its an auto body hammer doesnt mean theres no use for it in the forge and out of the box uses seem to present themselves once you have it, heck, I've forged entire bladed with mine! Happy swinging! J

A quick update, his reply "Thanks for the intel, but I'm sorry, I can't ask for this".. J

Thats way too much abuse for one of my delicate babies! Most we use in the shop for striking is 8lbs and then we let gravity do most of the work. Although i do have a 20lb sledge just sitting against the wall because its really darn impressive to look at. I'll see if I can dig up a pic of the 30lb hammer.. if I remember correctly it was more like 22lbs with 8lbs of lead in the 16" or 20" wood handle just to keep it manageable in the belt loop holder he had made. I think the holder was just a modified carpenters hammer loop with leather straps to keep the thing from jingling around when he walked. Haven't seen the guy for a few years but he used to be a regular patron at the Pa Faire. J

I've given him options. Even offered 10x10 tube. 38lbs give or take with a decent steel capped haft. He insists that it be solid! Lol yeah, he thinks its gonna be impressive, I think he's been watching too many comic book movies (I'm guilty of that too) and his friends are going to think he's a weinie when he's lugging this thing around a renaissance faire and having to stop every ten feet. I made a 30lb hammer a few years back for a guy who was 6'6" and built like the god of thunder and even he said it was a little too much for a costume piece and ended up having it copied by a machine shop from aluminum. J

So I got an email the other day regarding a custom order for a hammer. The guy asked how much a 10"x10"x15" hammer would weigh out of steel. I replied back:425 lbs. A short time later he replied, how about out of tungsten? My answer: 1047lbs. I gave him the weights for a few other metals as well. This morning he writes me back and asks if I'd be willing to forge a smaller version with his new blueprint at 100 lbs?! I would understand if this was a yard sculpture or for an exhibit, etc, but I'm almost certain he wants this as a wearable costume piece! Does he realize how much 100lbs actually weighs?! I told him it'd be $4000 and two months for me to undertake such a project, (and that the haft will probably snap under the weight of the head, so I cant make any guarantees). I dont honestly know how I'll do it (buy a Bridgeport and start milling a blank?!), but I'm hoping the numbers scare him away - otherwise I've got a nice deposit and a headache trying to figure out how to forge an anvil on a stick! I get emails like this all the time from random people.. normally after I tell them the weights they respectfully stop writing, but this guy is persistent - 6 emails and counting! Anyone else get these type of requests and how do you deal with them? J

Sign language until she's out of diapers at the very least, my friend. J

Welcome aboard, as long as you're crazy you'll fit in just fine! J

Yeah, as far as exercise goes.. I might swing a 1000 gram hammer most of the day, but I do a few ice cold 16 oz curls at the end of the work day that pretty much nullify any "exercise" that may have taken place.. not so much now with the baby taking up most of my non working hours so I'll have to do some tracking and see if I'm getting more fit. Personally I think you're better off with walking or even splashing around in a kiddie pool..not too much silicate particles, metal filings, carbon monoxide, hyperthermia, elevated bp, alcohol poisoning, accidental blood letting, dank lung or heavy metal fever floating around in those activities. J

Pish posh, dont get bent out of shape, they werent saying you were wrong. Theres thousands of people on this site every week and old forums are bound to get a new injection every once in a while, bottom line, every thread benefits from searchable keywords when we do the Boolean math underlying the search algorithm, so if anything he just boosted your original threads relevance when someone starts looking. I am a little upset to hear that I'm only blacksmithing when I'm burning coal though. Perhaps i should change my business cards to 60% blacksmith, 40% alternative fuel hot metal manipulator. J

Hey guys, if anyone's in the Hagerstown Maryland area today, April 25, stop out at the Best Western Grand Venice between 8 and 4 pm and say hello! If you've been thinking of picking up Steve Sells book, I'll have some copies on the table. Its also a chance for some of you aspiring knife makers to meet and talk with other makers and typically there's at least 1 table at theses shows selling supplies such as stabilized wood. Plus I'd love to just meet some of you in person! J

It would vary from person to person but around 6 to 8 feet, but I'm sure they could be thrown with a straight release at the right distance and style. I've seen his dad's show and its about 15 to 18 feet to the target on most stages, I know he marks off a spot on the stage ahead of time, and I believe he gets a full rotation. I think he filed marks on the long handles to let him know where to grip for certain distances but I'm not sure. It's not quite like competition throwing that is done at distances of 20 feet or more - its a feat of skill/bravery done for the thrill of the audience. Purely an adrenaline rush. Caleb is a little smaller than his dad so I'm sure he'll change his style to suit. J

​Fully heat treated 4130 - very resilient to the abuse they receive. The balance is visually deceptive, but it's about just slightly forward of center.. mariginally less than 8.5" from the butt, which is how his dad's original set is weighted. He's been playing with those since he was about 5 years old, so why mess with familiarity? J

Here's a set of half a dozen throwers I just finished up this afternoon. These are 16.5" long and 2.125" at the widest. They're not your typical commercial made throwers as they're a lot larger, a little slower, more visible to an audience and meant to be thrown at (technically around) a human target. That's right, a live human, who with a wrong flinch here or there could quickly become quite the opposite. I've got a friend whom I've known most of his life who is now out seeking adventure on his own and after a few stints with Arabian Knights, Cirque du Solei and Theatre Equus is now in the deepest darkest Peru performing for La Tarumba Gala. Anyway, long story short, he's debuting a new knife throwing show in the late summer and asked me to replicate a set I made for his father (also a stage entertainer) about 15 years ago because he's very familiar with them. Not quite the exact same, but really darn close. Before wrapping up the box today I had to give them a few throws of my own.. all I can say is I love my job some days! Enjoy! J

Utter rubish, PM me and I'll send you a disposal address,, lol .. Lookin good, waiting for a video.. J