elkdoc Posted July 10, 2005 Share Posted July 10, 2005 I kind of feel like bladesmithing is blacksmithing at its most refined. Thought I'd take a stab at it myself. Corny, I know... Well, here's my first shot at forging a knife. Made this from an old, discarded horseshoe. I loosely followed the steps described in "New Edge of the Anvil". Actually made two blanks, and this one turned out the best so I finished and sharpened it. I was actually more interested in the forging processes than the finishing, but I guess it's not bad. Was a ton of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rantalin Posted July 10, 2005 Share Posted July 10, 2005 Thats a nice blade elkdoc, I expecially like the twisted handle. Check out my first finished blade. A dagger I made for my girlfriend. She's as much as a dork as I am, she wanted me to make it for her :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkdoc Posted July 10, 2005 Author Share Posted July 10, 2005 Thanks Dan. I'll check it out. From one dork to another... :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted July 11, 2005 Share Posted July 11, 2005 I really love that design, it is a perfect exampl,e of simple elegance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkdoc Posted July 11, 2005 Author Share Posted July 11, 2005 Tee hee... That's me, "simply elegant" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsy Posted July 11, 2005 Share Posted July 11, 2005 LOOKS GOOD! keep it up, theres $$$ in blades every now & then, i managed to scape by on 'em for like 10 years. to be honest i like your horseshoe knife better than the ones ive done :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkdoc Posted July 11, 2005 Author Share Posted July 11, 2005 Thanks gypsy... That's quite the compliment! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolano Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Nice work. I like it. Remember to try to find stuff like sway bars, leaf springs, and coil springs from cars. you can usually get them from mechanics and amatuer mechanics. I got a lot of it from a friend. probably upwards of 50#'s of high carbon steel. for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpile Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 ELKDOC-- Nice Knife. Shows some imagination. If you want to keep on with the shoes---St. CROIX(eventer) shoes will harden enough to use for an actual knife. You will have to water quench them three times from non-mag. On the third quench it will be hard enough to use for just about anything. I don't temper them. Don't let them get to thin before you quench-- after quenching, then finish grinding down to final thickness. Railroad spike knives will give you a lot of practice with a hammer. The nice spike knives will bring $45 to $60 at craft shows in railroad towns.. If you want to see some nice spike knives---TAI GOO-- has some posted on-----donfogg.com-- bladesmithforum People like to recognize the spikes for what they are. Quench the spikes the same as the shoes. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkdoc Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 Thanks for the advice, Chuck. Actually, I've made a few of these now and they're being used as letter openers. They work great as such, and I've lengthened and narrowed the blade to better accomodate the new task. One is actually being used as a 'bodice dagger' by a fellow smith's wife! :oops: I'll be 'discipling' a little bit under a bladesmith a few times a month soon. He's big into good steel and correctly heat treating, so it will definately be an education. Can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouko_yamamoto Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 That is a great knife. I have only made one thus far, and it was terrible. But at least I had fun! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.