aprayinbear Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I'm definitely a newbie here, and I've gotten the bug! Everytime I see I piece of steel my mind starts picturing what could be hammered from it. Recently a good friend gave me the leaf springs from an old truck. They are about 3" wide and close to 3/8" thick. I'm assuming from what everyone says that they are probably 5160 steel and could be made into some handsome knives. My question is, before cutting the steel into more manageable lengths and widths, what formula can I use to determine the finished size after I am done forging a blade? All suggestions appreciated!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Until you have a few years forgeing under your belt I am not sure there is a workeable formula for this. Let me explain: As you progress and gain experience you will become more efficient at moving steel in the direction you want it to go. You will use fewer heats to do this and with more precise hammer control you will eliminate dents in the steel. Those dents at first will need to be either flattened with a hammer or ground out to make a nice blade. So here are thoughts for starters. Keep a log of your work. Use a cut off wheel in a side grinder and cut a section of the spring about 1" wide and 8" long. Forge a blade from it. Take a picture of the blade for your log or trace it into the log with measurements. Make several blades with the same starting dimensions. And you don't need to use my measurements, but if you stay consistant what I am saying will become real clear. A size small enough to heat easily and handle with tongs is a good starting point. The number of heats you take on a piece the more steel you lose through scale. So after 20 blades or so if you see that the same starting size ends up as a larger blades it is a lot of things that you have learned well that is causing that. And have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Like that reply Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBrann Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Rich, well put. I hadn't thought of it quite that way, but you are very right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonjic Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Just a feel thing that will come with time, Im to dissorganised to keep records! I would tackle those springs a bit differently to rich, and take a 1" slice of them. With a billet 1" wide x 3" long x 3/8" you will get a pretty decent sized blade, and avoid a lot of the frustrations of keeping a bigger piece straight and true, nevermind grinding it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Well said Rich. Practice with as few variables as possible will show more of your technique in a quantifiable way. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aprayinbear Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 Thanks for all your thoughts, What you say makes perfect sense. I like the idea of keeping a journal of my efforts and experimenting as I go. I certainly have plenty of the spring steel work with over time as my hammering becomes more efficient. I will start with the 1x8 pieces and see where it takes me. Happy Hammerin":D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messerist Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Since I never make the same blade twice I use the WAG or "wing it method." Using 1X8 pieces should do you just fine. Good Luck and don't forget to post pictures of your work for those of us who surf for "Knife Porn.":D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Really good question! I am working on a knife right now that started out from about a 2"x9"or10"x 3/16" piece of saw steel. After rough forging, the resulting knife is around 13" long. Also really good answers. I'm more like John N - in the matter of disorganization, not in skill (I love that feather damascus John). I am going to try to discipline myself to keep a log. aprayinbear: Welcome aboard and thanks for an excellent and helpful thread for one who is not so experienced himself. PLEASE!!!! Show your work. No matter how bad you think it is. You'll find that you are harder on yourself than others are. And you will get some very valuable advice here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aprayinbear Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 You Guys Are The best! Here's the first knife I ever completed. I have posted it elsewhere on this sight, but thought you might enjoy a peek. There's is also a pic of several others I hammered out, but I never completed them as they were just for practice. I also included a shot of another knife I made in the nordic style, but I purchased the blade. Hey guys.... I'm really worried.... this stuff is really addictive!;)LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecart Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Hey guys.... I'm really worried.... this stuff is really addictive!;)LOL The first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. . . I don't have a problem, therefore I don't need to recover. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzertank27 Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 im new and addicted too. nice set up ,i think ill look for a drop of steel like that rather than my rr rail anvil, nice knives, i started by refurbishing some old knives then i had to progress to shaping the steel too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aprayinbear Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 Panzer, Give Old World Anvils a call. They'll cut you a piece of 4x4 stock at about a dollar a pound. Mine was 4x4x12 and cost me $50 plus $14 shipping. I was very pleased! Hammer On!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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