StephanFowler Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Description: Tanto in W2 Steel: W2 Tool Steel Thickness: .312 at Machi .205 at Yokote Blade: 11.25" Nagasa (trying for Choji Hamon) Here are some Progress pictures of a Tanto that I am working on currently. This is my first piece out of W2 (from Don Hanson) and I am very excited about working with this steelphoto 1 Shown here is the original stock size, next to the broken down bar stock. I flattened it with a 12 Lb sledge with my brother holding the steel, took about two hours to get it down to 3/8" x 1 1/4". As you can see the original stock is 11" long, and the bar is 19" long, so flattening got my an extra 8 inches. Suprisingly the process of breaking down into bar stock was much easier than expected.photo 2 Sunobe (rough shape) formed. at this point I will cut it off of the bar and form the Nakagophoto 3 Finished forging, did about 5 minutes drawfiling to check all the faces and shapes. I decided to move the machi up from what you see here. I originally had a 10 3/8" Nagasa but decided that the 9 7/8" balanced better with my intentions.photo 4 Profile view showing the pretty much finished shape (all drawfiles and hand sanding, feel the burn baby) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanFowler Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 The other side Closeup of the Kissaki, starting to look good Ready to harden, I am hoping to get a basic Choji out of this clay layout. Thus far most of my experience with clay hardening ends up being rather Gunome shaped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanFowler Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 Clay: The Gratuitous Pipe smoking After a quick and dirty polish with a little bit of etch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakwoodforge Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Nice blade S.F. I Love the hamon. Skal ! Jens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julian Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Wow, handfiling is alot of work! Nice looking blade, I look forward to seeing the finished peice :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Nice Stephan, I do love that pipe shot:D. Welcome to IFI by the way too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quenchcrack Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Two hours with a 12# sledge sounds too much like work. But it is nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbear Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 Very nice work. You are doing some great hand work. I can understand the hand filing and long hammering precoess. Personally the more "hand" work I put into something, I do soapstone and wood carving as well - that's what keeps me busy during the winter, the more I have a connection to the finished piece. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanFowler Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 i enjoy the filing actually, if you get a good rythme going it's very "serene" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keykeeper Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Very nice work on the tanto. Be sure and post finished pictures. Can't wait to see the finished product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanFowler Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 Updates (yes, I have been working on this...) Full page Info: Fowler Blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 that looks great keep it up,jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_hl Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Looks great! I love lookinng at progress pictures of peoples work. Thanks for posting. I need to do more. If I may offer a suggestion, soak your blades in vinegar overnight before filing, it removes the mill scale and will prolong the life of you file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I see it as a hell of sharp, very rich hamon; nice indeed. I like it a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanFowler Posted March 15, 2007 Author Share Posted March 15, 2007 More Pictures: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanFowler Posted March 15, 2007 Author Share Posted March 15, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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