ytuyuty Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Newbie here. I saw this 15th Century ballock dagger with a black handle that spoke to me. I had to make one! So I bought a gas forge, some hammers and an automobile leaf spring from the junkyard. Here is my first forging attempt, a knife. It was a disaster. C'est la vie, I learned a lot and look forward to trying again after a get more experience. Multi-stage edge and reinforced point Full tang peened over a bonze pommel cap Boxwood handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsoldat Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 in what ways do you figure its a disaster? looks like a pretty close replica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo7 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Welcome to IFI Harry, glad you think its a disaster...shows you've got an appreciation of perfection. For mine, can't see anything wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 Thanks! Scale got mixed into the blade Had to grind the blade too thin as a result Blade shape turned out wrong Couldn't forge the blade shape, had to grind it, and even then it came out wrong Handle is wrong shape Bolster doesn't fit flush Bolster has a gap around the tang Pommel cap is off center etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Next time try using coil spring, it's actually easier to profile than leaf. Nothing wrong with grinding to a finished shape, that's what the things are for you know. I don't know if you've read much by us old curmudgeons recommending the kids NOT try learning blacksmithing by making knives. . .Well, nevermind, you might just have enough of a knack to pull it off. It doesn't matter how perfect you make something you'll ALWAYS see the flaws. We all do, get used to it. Nice blade Harry, especially for your first - time - at - the - anvil!!? YIKES outstanding job of it! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 6 hours ago, Frosty said: I don't know if you've read much by us old curmudgeons recommending the kids NOT try learning blacksmithing by making knives. . . LOL Yeah, I read that in several sources. The books also said to go ahead and make a knife anyway to get it out of your system! I'm currently making some tongs and Hardie tools, and modifying my hammers, and will get back to making blades when I feel that I am better prepared. Already straightened a coil spring in anticipation.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 It can be pretty overwhelming trying to teach yourself two or more skills sets at the same time. On the other hand some folk already have the skills they just need to adapt them to a new job. Too many of the kids I've tried to teach the craft recently have never used a hammer and one not only couldn't calculate (to use the word pretentiously) the area of a circle he didn't even know what "area" meant so couldn't figure the area of a square. But as he put it, "I'm not getting an A in math!" These are the very kids who think they're apprentices and just coming over makes them a blacksmith so they're going to make swords. I was a silly kid at one time and had some truly unrealistic ideas I mean seriously unrealistic like the submarine I was going to build. But wow, maybe if I grew up with a game controller instead of cardboard box forts and making stuff? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted December 24, 2015 Author Share Posted December 24, 2015 I corrected the handle shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Why get rid of all scale, the one you are coping has forge and scale marks? But you'd does look good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ytuyuty Posted December 24, 2015 Author Share Posted December 24, 2015 8 hours ago, matto said: Why get rid of all scale, the one you are coping has forge and scale marks? But you'd does look good! Next time I am going to use ebony wood for the grip, and try to avoid any grinding or polishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Blades have been ground and polished sense time immortal. The material we use to grind and polish has changed is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted December 25, 2015 Share Posted December 25, 2015 welcome to the elusive world of "knife perfection"! a fine first go though. 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.