Hello everyone, Im Randy Haas Jr. of HHH Custom Knives. In the last 3 months we added a lot of new tools to our shop and after my father and i talked about our goals a forge was definately one of the tools needed. So i started forging the day it came in the mail. I am primarily learning how to make damascus because it is one of the most beautiful and functional things in the world!!! in my oppionion anyway!(i have a finished folder blade im heat treating today!, and have also made a few billets but ran into some problems that i have since learned ar common for beginners.) Eventually though i really want to learn the art of mosaic damascus. So im sure i will run into more problems and have questions for you guys and i was told this is one of the best places to be for answers for blacksmithing/bladesmithing.
Randy Haas Jr. HHH Knives
http://www.hhhcustomknives.com

Welcome to the group
Damascus is fun
Are you welding the billets by hand or have a press or power hammer?
Hand is a lot of work

i have been doing it by hand, it is alot of work but im loving every minute of it! Really want to take it to the next level though so were working on either making or getting a press.

Michigan has a great group of blacksmiths, MABA and they are an active bunch, do a google on them, I'm a member but I live in NY. They have a really good newsletter as well!

Michigan has a great group of blacksmiths, MABA and they are an active bunch, do a google on them, I'm a member but I live in NY. They have a really good newsletter as well!

Will do thank you!

Randy, MABA can be reached at www.miblacksmith.org It's a great group!In April our meeting was at Kevin Casey of kevincaseycustomknives.com All he did was demonstrate damascus and pattern welded steel. What a cool afternoon. We meet all over the state so you can usually catch some meetings. Got Coal? MABA has it. Glad to have you on IFI. Jeff