Edward Kocsis

Thank you I can understand that. They are to dismaler to be good practice.

Okay this I can understand. You get a better return on your time and money. Thank your for clarifying that point.

Thank you Lue and the others for the information overload. I can't wait to line my forge.

I must have missed it some how or need it explained in a simpler way. If you are using proper technique, how is using re-bar to practice making blade shapes a bad thing? Is init the purpose of practice to better hone your basic skills. Are you guys saying it is better to not practice at all because you don't have what you want to make a quality knife?or that you will just have to learn everything over again because of the difference in steel. That sounds a lot like, don't waist your time learning to black smith before knife smithing because the types of steel used are different. I know that is not what you should do. Wouldn't it be wise to practice making a point, drawing out, forging an edge etc. and become more familiar on how to us your tools the horn or edge of your anvil in making the knife shape you want before you go an mess-up the good stuff? Yeah different steels react and should be treated in deferent ways and he will have to learn how each works,(Is init a given that different thing react differently). I literally watched a smith hammer molding clay into the exact shape of what he made with steel. As an example showing how they are similar. As well as being good practice in hammer control. How is that not a good practice technique? FREE STEEL!!!!! Yeah okay. Everyone knows there is no such thing as free.

That a really cool story.

Changing direction when you switch grits will help a lot with your finish and help get out those deeper tool marks.

JHCC thank you for that, I was using the search bar and wasn't having luck with it, also for the pro tips, bonus tips, and protocols for this site. Glenn thanks for the direction. Cavpilot2k I understand that know, thank you. I wasn't planing on using it after I was advised to hone my skills before moving on to the wire rope, which I can't even us because its zinc plated which kinda sucks. Yes I am a beginner with some minimal experience sorry if I wasn't clearer earlier. I literally asked if these two types of steel would be good to use in knife making. The simple answer was no, because of zinc and my skills are not what they need to be for forge welding. I understand that and it is helpful. Steve Sells Are you serious? Yes I am a beginner with some minimal experience, I'm the newest driver to nascar nationwide series. I asked for some advice and I got pitted into the wall, and told you don't know what your doing. Think of it as if a college ball player moving up to triple A ball. Does that answer your question? "I may not be experienced but I have forged before." are my exact words. So where are you getting that I said Im "experienced"? Also that was in response to "It sounds like you have not yet put hammer to steel at all." which I have. Why don't you go tell Thomas Power to not talk down to the new guys that are asking for direction and advice and not to assume he knows there intentions. If that isn't the definition of a jerk I don't know what is. Also thats the worst attitude to have for a teaching environment. "Respect the old-timers. The self-proclaimed curmudgeons of IFI are some of the most generous folks you will ever meet, ready to help anyone and everyone who asks, BUT have little to no patience with people who won't take advice or who expect to have everything handed to them on a silver platter." I have asked and I have taken every bit of advice given from others IFI members, acted on it and been successful. I am very thankful for that. I also have never want to be handed anything on a silver platter. To assume that is a personal attack, which TP did. Especially to someone that has learned multiple trades helped teach those trades. I did my research and asked for help on it because I couldn't find the answer. I did due diligence and what did I get in response? Disrespect from self-proclaimed curmudgeons because of assumptions made and being talked down to with an over all jerkiness. I will respect those that are respectful to me and I will call out anyone who is disrespectful to me, especially if it is for no apparent reason other than asking a question. I suggest next time you read what is actually written before you go and but in and act like a jerk.

I knew the zinc in galvanized steel is dangerous and it doesn't sound like there is a reliable or safe way to get it off. That is helpful, thank you. I have taken several classes at Adams forge in LA and have learned to make novelty items, I would like to start doing knives because that was my original intention. I may not be experienced but I have forged before. I built my forge because is at least a three hour drive round trip and I don't have that much free time to disappear for a day to practice. Ill find a particular type of steel and stick with that, make sense and move from there I haven't even thought about trying Damascus, still haven't forge welded yet. Thank you to IronDragon for the link and to Buzzkill for the helpful advise. Hey ThomasPowers seriously, what is your problem? "This really sounds like "I am just about to learn to drive and want to figure out which engine I should use for a formula one race I'm entering next week?" *Really?* to use your *analogy* I can already *drive*(swinging the hammer) and I have the *car* and *motor* (my forge and anvil), I'm asking about the *race* *track* (type of steal). If your going to us an analogy to talk down to people at least us a *good* one. "It's excellent, so so or terrible depending on the alloy, lay, plating, etc. You can't even guess if it would be any good until you know the alloy, plating, etc" I have looked and been unsuccessful in finding that information. Thats why I asked about these types of steel. If you *really* wanted to be *helpful* you could have given me some kind of *resource* or point me in the right *direction* so I can *LEARN*. "Generally anytime someone wants a simple answer to a complex solution space it is: you need to learn more first."What do you think I'm trying to do here? To unlearn stuff? Again no resource or direction given. What is really funny is you pretty much gave the same advice as Buzzkill but instead of being normal about it, you were a jerk about it.

I everyone I am knew to forging. I have a gas forge I have almost completed building with 2, 3/4 burners and 20 Psi regulator. Thanks to you guys I have been able to trouble shoot all the issues I have had with it. I just need a little more guidance on types of steel to make knifes. In my line of work I have access to several types of steel but I'm not sure what one is the best for Knife making. These are two of them. I have hear cable is good to use, but this stuff is galvanized and that is toxic when heated. I haven't found any specs on what type of steel they are (Hi/low carbon and if it an alloy). any insight on this would be a big help and much appreciated.