Simian

Hey All. I envy you guys in the states - if we want to carry a knife in the UK it has to be under 3" and non-locking. But, it gives me the want to try making one! So this is my first attempt at a slip joint, and it's a 80th birthday present for my Dad. From this; Some of my own damascus (80 layer!) for the blade and spring (old handsaws and 1095), 1.6mm brass liners and stainless pins (with a bushing). To this, with Rosewood scales & Stainless bolts. (another nod to the future owner - My Mum's name is Rose); It's not perfect. I did my best to get the steel flat without a surface grinder, but the liners ended up a tiny bit out of parallel so it *just* bites as it closes and doesn't snap shut The walk and talk from halfway to fully open is good, but I also fudged the closed position, so the spring is a fraction below the liners (flush at open and half). I learned a lot, and number two should be a vast improvement. Critique welcome.

I've only just realised there is a separate section for folding knives here - I don't have a lot of spare time to view the forum. Beautiful work as ever! I've recently found some interesting youtube videos too...

I'm sorry to say that that burner won't even get a forge that size warm. I have a devils forge with 2 DFP burners, it's about 5"x5" and 16" long. 2 burners will get this hot, but it's not great. That's a huge forge, what are you planning? I'm relatively new to this (only a few years) and have learnt that smaller is better when it comes to forges - build the smallest forge you can realistically use. Also, put your location in your profile, it helps everyone with specific advice.

gimme a shout if you want me to pick one up and send it on - I suspect it wouldn't end up much cheaper tbh (but I don't know how much they are for you in the US?) Whoa... Whut? There's me planning some Kaowool and a steel shell and you throw that into the mix? I now have MUCH reading to do on that... Buzzkill The thickness at the openings was indeed for strength, and I considered doing exactly what you described (the rear on mine is half closed anyway). due to the way I formed the... er... former, it would have been hard to achieve. Looking back, I wish I had tried harder on that. We'll see. Making another liner wouldn't be too hard if I think it's needed. I also have a load of Colloidal silica and Zirconia silicate for a DIY IR coating. I'll hopefully get the insulation and shell done at the weekend, but for now, the liner is curing Thanks again for all the help/pointers guys.

See the 1/2" Amal on the ribbon burner above, Mr. Frosty. once it's up and running I'll tune the 1/2" frosty burner on it, leaving the Amal free for other duties.

Cheeky! And impatient It's a 1600C (2900F) 40% alumina castable recommended by some other smiths in the UK. Water setting, same as Kastolite. Close to 1/4" over most of it, 1/2" for the floor and around the openings. Somewhere around 150 Cu in.

C'mon, do your worst. How badly have I messed this up? Huge hole on side is for the ribbon burner, rear hole will get plugged unless needed... I just need to wrap it in Kaowool and steel. For scale, the main former was a 2 litre soda bottle.

Thanks Mikey, Message received! I think I'm confusing too many factors - I'll break it down a bit and work through them one by one. I have the best High alumina castable I can find in the UK (recommended by other smiths). I've read a lot on here to suggest that a 1/2" floor, and 1/4" layer of castable 'shell' is ample, and I'll use 2 layers of 1" Kaowool. I can make a steel case for it. Is there any major downside to the image on the left, as opposed to the image on the right. (sorry for the awful drawing). Buzzkill has pointed out one - making the one on the left with no gapping. I believe the image on the left will be much easier to build - that's all. Am I overthinking this? I have a habit of doing so!

Thanks guys - you've actually answered some other questions I had too Mainly, I'm hearing 'find a way to make it one piece'. buzzkill ;

Me again, Asking more questions (sorry) I'm building a small forge - some where around 150 cu in (2.5 Litres). I'm struggling to line it with castable as the entrance is really small - I can barely get my hand in. Is there any major disadvantage to casting a large flat 1/2" thick floor (over 2" of Kaowool) for an upper shell to sit on? This would make it a D shaped forge, easily replaceable floor, and I'd be able to cast the upper easily. I'll draw an awful picture if that doesn't make sense

Very true Mikey. I guess for any one reading this in the UK, I built my Frosty burner with parts from 'Pipe Dream Fittings'; BLACK MILD STEEL PIPE / TUBE SELF COLOUR THREADED 1/2" 100mm; £1.57 REDUCING TEE BSP BLACK MALLEABLE IRON 3/4" x 1/2"; £1.94 FULL SOCKET BSPP STAINLESS STEEL 1/2"; £1.60 (Plus about £6 postage) You'll also need (all from Ebay, prices including postage); 1/4 BSP FEMALE gas pipe fitting (search Ebay for 3/8 FEMALE fulham Nozzle); £5 each 1/8 BSP to 1/4 BSP HYDRAULIC ADAPTER (female/female; this is the bit I struggled to get right initially); £2.50 each m5 thread 0.6mm mig tip; £2.80 for 5 That's around £13.00 per burner. You'll also need gas hose and regulator, and a 1/8" BSP taper tap.

Looking at your forge, the 1/2" would be plenty. You'll need a few bits - A regulator, Gas hose, 3/8 BSP male gas pipe fitting (search Ebay for 3/8 male fulham Nozzle) plus a 4" BSP threaded pipe. That should be it, and is the same as I have. (although I'm currently building a small ribbon burner for it). Or, you can make your own, small, frosty burner;

I really love your signature look - A gentlemans blade.

Glad you all like Frosty yes, the forge was running, and the smith was making small items, doing a very decent demo. there's not much info online, but this has an interesting video; https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/museum/national-slate-museum-752525 it's run on a shoestring, and entry etc is totally free! Scott NC practically EVERYTHING is open to walk around, basically every inch, apart from a few irrelevant staff areas. not the quarry itself though - although there are plenty of abandoned slate mines in Wales to walk around. Tim695 No idea on how much water it used, but it's fed by pipe from the mountains above by gravity. This vid shows it quite well, Smithy is at 4.30

Hey duncan, Where in the UK are you? You might want to have a look at Amal burners.