Mr.Thirsty_Work

I did. The only change I would make is to use an epoxy dye so it's not the typical yellow-ish transparent look. If anybody else is looking for the same answer I was, here's what I found. Etsy gave a pretty good selection, decent prices, and often free shipping. I did use the list Steve S provided, but most everything on there was 'sold out' at the moment. NJ Steel Baron looked great, but was also sold out of everything. Hope this could help someone too.

My touchmark is a hot stamp hammered in when the metal is hot. And yes it's related to my username. I forge stuff and brew my own beer, so I started Thirsty Work Industries.

Here's a few of my knives that need a bit more than 1.5"

That's exactly right JHCC. I've been wanting to build a press for awhile now, but it's hard to justify the expense for a weekend hobby. No worries Frosty. I understand the short tempered response. It was my foul mood that prompted this post I thought it was strange that I had to push the "post" button twice. And I'll be sure to post a couple pictures of what I've been doing lately. STEVE S - thanks for that list!

Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and build a forging press so I can take obnoxiously shaped steel and squish it into a useful shape. But is anyone else having trouble sourcing hi carbon steel in typical flat bar sizes? I can find all kinds of 1095 or 1084 in 1.5" width, but I tend to make larger knives. 2" is kind of a minimum for me. Those don't seem to exist anymore. 15n20 is not available any thicker than 0.06!!!! 80crv2 is almost non existent. I'm getting so frustrated. I've got about six people waiting for me to make them knives, & I can't buy any steel! Where do you get yours, and in what typical sizes?

Definitely looks like it's been well used. Some support has been welded to the mounting bracket where it looks to have possibly begun cracking. The leg looks like it has a couple degree bend (hence the supports there). I know Peter Wright had forged bevels, but other than that and the shape of the screw box, I don't really see much else to indicate Peter Wright. Although they were known for making these & then shipping them out unbranded to other companies to sell as their own.

So picked up a couple post vises in northern Idaho. I'm in Helena Montana. The one is clearly a Columbia vise, but the other has very little stamping. All I can find is FK and a II both on the solid box. Shown in the pictures. I haven't weighed it, Buti guess it to be 65#+. 4.5" jaws. Any ideas of what brand or age?

Since it was my first one there was a bit of trial & error. I used about a 1:10 ratio of Ferric Acid to bottled spring water. I read somewhere that a more diluted mix will take longer but give a better contrast. Then I left the knife in the solution for 15 minutes at a time. I'd take it out, wipe it down to remove any lose material and allow the acid to begin working on clean metal again. Every fourth or fifth time I'd lightly sand with 1,000 grit & buff it on the wheel. It took about three hours of the rinse and repeat method until I was happy with it. If anyone has suggestions on etching Damascus to bring out a high contrast I'd love to learn from your experience.

Well, here ya go...

Finally decided to tune my new forge and burners so I can learn to forge weld. I think I got it just about dialed in and started a cable knife this afternoon. I still have to finish the bevel on the other side, heat treat, acid etch, and fit scales. But for my very first forge welding project I'm not disappointed...yet.