A couple of shots in the forge of myself working under instruction of my mate Gary. He is both a farrier and a second generation blacksmith. He had a day to kill as his work vehicle was being serviced.  I have made a herb knife before, so this is my second go. Gary is just giving me a general tune up as I am largely self taught. I will add some photos of the the project over the next day, so just a couple of shots of us messing about taken by the Minister of War and Finance, bless her!!

Looks like a great set up.  Let's see that herb knife

 

I am going to say this before Frosty gets to you. We can’t believe there is an herb knife until we see a photo. I see two mates having a day of good cheer and a some dallying at the forge. Nothing wrong with that either. It had to be a great day.  It has to be awesome to have an experienced Smith with you for a day. 

We will finish off the knife today, and shoe a horse on the front stoop to christen it ! Clear photos of the knife will be posted today !! Thanks for the interest, it will be another hot day and I suspect beer will be drunk !!

An Aussie having a beer?  Hard to believe. Visited Australia some years ago. I had the good fortune of getting on the infield at the Melbourne Cup. What a memorable day that was. 

Here it is apart from needing a touch on the oilstone. Heat treated in canola oil. 

Love the herb knife, mate. And a lump of hoop pine for the handle???

Send Gary up here when you're done. I want one of those herb knives!

Handle is a bit of fruit tree, apricot. I cut a bunch of runes from this tree once. The couple of dings are from me using the ball peen to draw metal, I should not have used that as it has left  marks, part of learning to make a good hammer finish.  It sort of resembles a straight razor ! I use them, might make one at some time. Best get the herb knives worked out first !! I might add, beer was drunk .

Thanks for the Pic. I like the rustic style a lot.