Arkans Posted February 6, 2023 Author Share Posted February 6, 2023 Next Weeknd I think I am going to try I think to make a blacksmiths knife out of some of my sucker rod I have. Just for the fun of it... might have to find some more coal though... I have burned through almost 5 gallons of coal, but i am impressed on how long it lasted, I still have some left, and basically it lasted 5 full days of forging, and I do have some left but at the bottom of the bucket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Sucker rod isn't great knife material, as it needs toughness more than hardness. I'd recommend coil spring instead. If you want to make something from sucker rod, I'd suggest a punch or a chisel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shainarue Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Nice job on the tongs Arkans! I will second Twisted's recommendation for the blanks from Ken's Custom Iron. Nothing beats the satisfaction of making your own but when you need a pair for something and you don't want to take another weekend making tongs instead of doing the project, then the blanks are a great cheap shortcut! Still require minimal forging and setting the rivet but that would take a short amount of time compared to making them from scratch. Or if you don't need cheap and still want the shortcut - there are plenty of people out there on etsy and in blacksmithing groups that will sell them - usually in the $30-40 range. I have one pair made from flat bar - using the blueprint on this site for EZ Tongs - and those were indeed VERY easy and successful. My second pair was made from the Ken's Custom Iron blank and again, successful. But so far I haven't been able to get a successful pair of tongs with a boss hinge like yours. Of course, I overcomplicated things and went for the "Ultimate Tongs" as posted by Brian Brazeal on this forum instead of something easier like Brian's basic tongs - but eh - that's what I do, lol I currently have 2 pair of Ultimate Tongs with busted rivet holes because the boss was too thin/narrow. I'm gonna try a basic pair of scrolling tongs next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkans Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 I do need some more punches and chisels, and do plan on making more of them. i just have never shaped a knife before, and honestly just want to see what i can do in shaping, i have a lot of sucker rod so since i am sure this is going to be a learning experience i just plan on using what i have on hand. when i get serious about making a knife or two i am going to buy some flat bar stock to work with... right now, i am really just trying to learn how the steel moves under the hammer, and how to shape it the way i want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 Throwing knives profit from medium carbon tough alloys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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