March 2, 200719 yr 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)
March 2, 200719 yr Author 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
March 2, 200719 yr Author Clay: The Gratuitous Pipe smoking After a quick and dirty polish with a little bit of etch
March 2, 200719 yr Wow, handfiling is alot of work! Nice looking blade, I look forward to seeing the finished peice :)
March 4, 200719 yr 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
March 5, 200719 yr Author i enjoy the filing actually, if you get a good rythme going it's very "serene"
March 5, 200719 yr Very nice work on the tanto. Be sure and post finished pictures. Can't wait to see the finished product.
March 12, 200719 yr Author Updates (yes, I have been working on this...) Full page Info: Fowler Blades
March 12, 200719 yr 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.
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