TechnicusJoe Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Hi guys, I was busy forging some days ago and made an LO, here's it, what do you guys think?YouTube - Forging a letter opener Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiphile Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 That was some nice work you did Joe. I liked both the forging and the videogrophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Joe, Nice job on both the video and the letter opener. I made a letter opener for a friends wife and she raised a few good points which caused me to remake the letter opener for her. Letter openers are generally no longer than an average table knife and many times shorter. The end has to fit comfortably and naturally into the users hand. Needless to say my second letter opener was shorter and daintier than the first. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Joe, nice presentation. I agree with Doug that the letter opener should be about the length of a table knife. May I suggest a couple of ways to change the next letter opener. Thin the edge of the blade just a bit so it can cut through the paper. This edge usually needs to be on the TOP of the blade, as most people I have seen open the envelope by cutting upward. When you make the twist, go from round to square with very well defined ends at the transition. Heat the stock, and use a small stream of water to isolate the heat to just the area being twisted. Clamp the stock in the vise AT the transition point and twist quickly before the vise draws the neat from that end of the stock. This will result in a crisp transition from round to twist and back to round. This is where you show your craftsmanship and your extra effort as a blacksmith to make that simple letter opener unique and special. There are many different ways to decorate the metal. You can play with decorating the twisted section by using a center punch to place dimples into opposite flats, by using a chisel and making a line on opposite flats, or all 4 flats before twisting, or making the twisted section into flat bar and then twisting. You can even add a pineapple twist to the letter opener. You will want to consider the balance of the letter opener as it is being held in the hand. Too heavy or out of balance and it will not be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Nice work, Joe. I liked the videography, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnicusJoe Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 Thanks for the tips Glenn:D but the letter opener is not much longer than a kitchen knife though, atleast the length of a KK here. I'll try that technique, bet it will look awesome but this is my first LO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 The first is always a prototype, sample if you will, to see that everything comes together as you planned and it works. Keep it for yourself so you can look back later and see how your have progressed. I still have (and use) the first letter opener I made. It reminds me to be humble (grin). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnicusJoe Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 haHA, ok Glenn, thanks for that tip too, well cant wait to proceed.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Joe, Your work is going ahead in leaps and bounds. Really enjoyed the film, especially how you made it into a bit of a story with the bike ride, etc. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Something to think about: When you look at that "whatever" made from steel by a blacksmith, just how long do you spend looking at the details? Let us say it is a pair of tongs. These tongs were made from a rebar by Highlander (thank you for allowing me to use the photo as an example). These tongs were made from a horse shoe by Jedsdad (thank you for allowing me to use the photo as an example). Both sets of tongs work, and most likely close to the same amount of time was spent making each pair of tongs. But you have taken more time to *LOOK* at the second pair to see how the horseshoe was made into tongs and how you can do the same. These tongs were made by Strine (thank you for allowing me to use the photo as an example). He applied a little talent, and took a little more time to personalize the tongs. Everyone that comes by his demo *LOOKS* at the tongs. They Oooh, they Ahhh, they want one. The point is, try to spend that extra bit of time to personalize the items you produce and to let your work reflect your dedication to the craft. Let those that purchase (and use) your work be proud to own and use that item. Let them point out to others the details, the small things that make it special. It only take a few minutes longer at the forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnicusJoe Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 MAN! like your knowledge has no ending, awesome! Thank you again for the tips! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Lake Forge Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 hey joe, I just made my first letter opener using your technique. But in your video about when you got back from vacation in germany and you showed us that link of damascus, you went in the house behind your shop i figured that was your house. Please correct me if i am wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnicusJoe Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 Well, the house you see me going from on my bike is my house, and the house you can see behind the shop is my house too. My parents are divorced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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