Thank to you all. I'm still figuring things out, where and how and what to post. I'm sure most of my questions are already answered somewhere on here, just have to find them. As for me, I finally got around to my life-long desire to try blacksmithing early this year. Steep learning curve. All the cheapest stuff I could find, splurged for a $300 anvil and a good rounding hammer. Worked outside all summer, now have a a 3-sided shed with a roof and walls halfway. So far just making knives and the tools I've needed to make them, tongs, chisels, fullering tool, etc. I've made a few knives, with good results, but until I've come to terms with heat treating and forge welding I've just given them away to family while I practice. I'll show some pictures. I'm getting people asking for some, offering to pay, but the financial side is a whole different thing. Short term goals have become extended projects. For example, I have been milling my 1911 frames for a few years now, but I want to make one from damascus, with matching slide. So many ideas...
Pic #1: bought 6" damascus billet online, Hammered a tip and tang on it, HT/temper perfect, razor sharp. My nephew cut up three deer with it, no sharpening, still as sharp as I gave it to him. Notice I forgot to put any pins through the tang.
Pic #2: First knife, unknown steel, still have two 8'x1"x1/8" sections. Poor heat treat, fair edge retention. The steel came already hardened from the Schrade Cutlery Co. in the early '70s. Supposedly it's 1095hc, have not successfully heat treated yet.
Pic #3: Same unknown steel, water quench, managed to grind out the surface cracks, put sawteeth to take out all but one... great edge though...