BRad704 Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 This is my first attempt at some pretty crude forging. My tools included (and were limited to) a 4lb straight peen hammer, an ocy-acetylene torch with rosebud tip, and a full sized frame machine at our body shop as my anvil. Material started as a piece of 5160, 6"x1"x1/4". I know I have a LONG way to go and SO SO much to learn, but for getting started and hammering out a blade, I am very proud of myself. I already know I made major divots in the steel and I need to walk my edge over a little toward the bottom, but my goal was to make a very rudimentary blade anyway. Handle will be cherry and curved to mirror the blade, with a rounded end sorta like a ram's horn. I also plan on wrapping the top of the handle in brass wire to cover the joint between the handle and blade. After clean up and heat treat/tempering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Hey Brad, It's a starting point. We all started somewhere. The fact that you didn't wait until you had all the right tools speaks well of your willingness to start blacksmithing. Enjoy your new obsession/addiction. Keep workin and keep posting. Mark<>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messerist Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 Hi Brad, glad ya made it. Welcome aboard! This is the place to find a lot of help with your knifemaking. If these guys can't help then no one can. There are many resources available here to get you started and the most important are the people. We all started out just like you did.....except for me, I was born a brilliant knifemaking genius...oh, I forgot, my therapist told me that was just a dream. Don't forget to post some finished pics. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRad704 Posted December 11, 2010 Author Share Posted December 11, 2010 Hey, good to see a familiar name around here! I'll definitely keep this updated with my progress. I have learned SO much already and am really enjoying seeing what else there is to this besides bladesmithing. -Brad- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messerist Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 You are in so much trouble dude! Are you married? I was addicted before I got married so The Wife had to accept my insanity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRad704 Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 Very married and 4 kids between us... I've got the handle pretty much done, and the copper wrap, but I'm not 100% sold on it yet. I'll probably do a superglue finish on it since I have several tubes already. I'll take some good pics soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden_eagle Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 scrub and lemon oil, super glue makes a terrible finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRad704 Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 Cherrywood 3-finger handle, copper wire wrap. I'll make a sheath for it once I get some more leather... and no finish yet.. just polished the unfinished wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westerwald Posted December 18, 2010 Share Posted December 18, 2010 Hello Brad, I usually do not post about peoples new work. It seems much of the replies are obligatory words of encouragement to a newbie. Yours caught my eye for several reasons. First the odd but pleasant "S" shape.Second the hammer marks not ground out which gives it a cool old time forged look.And third the copper does look great. This knife has character! I also was impressed that you are so determined to make knives that you forged this with such basic tools. That is the passion that is prevalent in a lot of the best knife makers I have known and studied. Brad excellent job! Please pm me some time as I might be interested in ordering one just like it. Banjoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRad704 Posted December 21, 2010 Author Share Posted December 21, 2010 Thank you for taking the time to really look at this one closely... I have several (actually about a half dozen) people already talking about buying a knife from me, and I will surely let you know once I am ready to start taking on commissions... These next 3 were not forged, so I don't want to give them a new thread here. Hopefully I'm not out of line by showing off some of my other work... A fighter and a bowie, each 9" from tip to plunge, and a 6" wharncliffe. All are 1/4" 5160 stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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