Hi,

Today I set up a small challenge for my self, as I (we) often do, to make a swan's neck hardie tool. Sooner or later I want to try out some more serious scroll work and thought a tool like this could be helpful.
Started off with about 7" of 1" square stock (mild steel), made a slight upset about 2" in from the end and forged a shoulder and the hardie post to fit. Then it was time for the swage block and some bashing with the sledge. I worked it all down to a block about 1,5"x1,5"x2,5" , then made the taper and finally bent it to shape. It's not perfect but I think it will do the work.

Here it is. I may have to grind the tip a bit sharper, what do you think? A sharper edge means a weaker tool, but I doubt one actually forge on the tool, rather bend and form, right?

Back to drawing some scrolls....

Cheers

great job

great tool they come in very handy

These are great for snub and ha'penny scroll tips. Looks great - it's one of those tools that sits around collecting dust until you need it and then nothing else quite does the job.

Yet another tool to add to my list of tools to make. Thanks for posting the picture!

Mark <><

Awesome job. Did you use a Flatter to smooth it out, or just hammer control? Definitely some fine work!

Awesome job. Did you use a Flatter to smooth it out, or just hammer control? Definitely some fine work!

Thanks! I do own a small trip hammer which does a fine job on square surfaces. For tapers I use a round-back flatter (I think thats the right name?), and that works pretty good as well. One has to be careful to align the work right in the hammer though.

good tooling
you will enjoy having this in your arsenal