Here is a quick update on my progress.I was able to do some work on the pipe portion of the legs.Part of my idea was to have one side of the split 3/4"stock poke through the back of the pipe leg.Originally I had planned to forge this with one of the splits,but decided against it.I decided to use both splits inside and plug welded and to make a seperate hook to be welded inside.I won't know until I start to position the splits,if this will look natural or not(as if the split is tapering and then poking through). Anyway,I cut the top of the pipe at a level angle when the hoof was positioned flat.I knew there would be more material for the front,so I cut in a way to allow for a small scroll,then punched the back from the inside.I had hoped it would tear the metal,and it did.I got some gnarly tearing action.

Here are the hooks.....I found out after I cut them,that they needed an angle to look more natural with the eventual split portion.I hope it's enough.

And here is one welded.

More later.

Tanto,

Very impressive forging!!!!!

Thanks 3lbhammer!!

 

Hoping to get some work done today.Unfortunately, it will likely be preliminary work to prepare for some of the next steps.I think I need to put the twist in the 3/4" bar before I do anymore altering of the split.The twist is one I saw in a book, attributed to Samuel Yellin.I have tried it a couple of times on smaller stock and have not gotten it quite right. One reason is I need smaller divots in the square edges,so I plan to weld(temporarily) a smaller stock bar to my spring fuller(which is currently 1/2"-5/8").I also want to test the twist at least one more time.Anyway,all of this will be food for thought even if it doesn't turn out exactly right.I'll be storing it away for future reference.

This thread is more detailed than I had originally planned.Maybe I should have placed it in the Member's Projects category.Thanks for the support!