Trad Gang

Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: tippit on May 12, 2009, 06:23:00 PM

Title: Fun of Forging
Post by: tippit on May 12, 2009, 06:23:00 PM

OK I promised earlier that I was done doing knives for awhile...but the clinic was slow and my young veterinarians were eager to see as many clients as possible.  Therefore I just spent the afternoon at home  :)

After doing some paper work and no real time to go fishing, I fired up the forge again...oh the luxury of a propane forge!  As I was pounding on another scrap piece of file, it occurred to me how much fun can be had in even less than a hour of working hot steel.

Not to quibble about the pros & cons of forging verses stock removal verses cutting up saw blades, I'm just amazed every time I hammer on steel.  It is so relaxing to make all the shapes without cutting or grinding...just let the hammer & anvil sing.

This progression from scrap to rough tapered blade was less than an hours work and only the hammer was used.  Except to use my hand grinder to cut the file tang off...you can cut it hot with a hardy chisel but then it requires a little more hammering to straighten the blade.

For those of you who haven't tried forging, I think you will find it quite satisfying and mesmerizing...Doc

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FunofForging0012.jpg)

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FunofForging006.jpg)

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FunofForging008.jpg)

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: tippit on May 12, 2009, 07:18:00 PM

Last picture...Dropped the point, cleaned up the lines and started a 36 grit 6" wheel hollow grind.  Now dinner, good night sleep, a few surgery cases in the morning and maybe a little fly fishing in the afternoon.  Got the report today that the stripers are already in on Cape Cod and Monomoy   :bigsmyl:  Doc

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FunofForging011.jpg)

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: TxMoon on May 12, 2009, 07:19:00 PM

There is something about pounding hot steel that just clears your mind of everything I love it. Its just good therapy for me.  How many burners are you using in your forge Doc? I am only running one right now thinking of adding one more.

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: MYSTIKBOW on May 12, 2009, 08:31:00 PM

Great Job Jeff! Thats a slick little file knife. Once the kids are all out of the house I'm gonna have to give that a try!
 
 Hey, By the way, I have to touch base with you about somthing we talked about a few weeks ago.

 JOHN

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: Steve Nuckels on May 12, 2009, 08:35:00 PM

Really cool!  In three weeks I will be in the thick of learning those skills in Clyde NC!  Can't wait!

Maybe you could post a small pic of your striper catch!!!

------------------
IN GOD WE TRUST

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: prarieboy on May 12, 2009, 11:26:00 PM

The Doc rocks!!!

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: tippit on May 13, 2009, 06:17:00 PM

Steve,  Got fresh striper on the grill for dinner tonight!  The season has indeed started  :D  Doc

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: Steve Nuckels on May 13, 2009, 08:59:00 PM

Life is good!!!

----------------
IN GOD WE TRUST

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: 4runr on May 13, 2009, 10:50:00 PM

:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: tippit on May 14, 2009, 05:49:00 PM

Turned into a nice little 3 finger skinner with deer leg bone scales.  Polished to 400 grit then left the forge burn on blade.  Also added a neck sheath to keep handy while skinnin' at Bear Quest.  

With old file of unknown steel, I took Karl's advice temper/sharpen/check edge...started tempering at 350 then 370 finally at 390 edge smoothed out and held great without chipping....Doc

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FunofForging012.jpg)

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/FunofForging014.jpg)

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: MYSTIKBOW on May 14, 2009, 07:17:00 PM

WoW Jeff, That came out really nice!

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: hormoan on May 14, 2009, 08:23:00 PM

WOW is right Doc, you smacked that file, right into a dandy blade   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: LAR43 on May 23, 2009, 01:35:00 PM

Hey Doc,
Sweet little working knife!!
Do you draw out the tang or pre cut it?

Larry

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: tippit on May 24, 2009, 07:12:00 AM

Larry,
When you do the pounded flared finger guard, you need to make the knife in reverse order.  That is you hammer the tang out first, then the guard, and finish up with the blade.

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: LAR43 on May 24, 2009, 04:05:00 PM

:thumbsup:  Thanks! I'm going to try one! I love the integral finger guards.

Larry

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: tippit on May 24, 2009, 05:46:00 PM

Larry,
Here is the forging progression.  When you forge in your indent for the finger guard, remember as you pound out the flare the tang will get progressively longer.  Have fun...Doc

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Great%20Smokey%20Mt%20Bladesmithing%20Symposium%2009/Keeslarblade4.jpg)

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: LAR43 on May 24, 2009, 10:34:00 PM

Thanks Doc!
I appreciate the progression photos.

Larry

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: Chris Surtees on May 25, 2009, 01:31:00 AM

:thumbsup:     :thumbsup:    :notworthy:

Title: Re: Fun of Forging
Post by: EIGHTWGT on May 25, 2009, 08:19:00 AM

Wow.... Thats pretty cool - I had no idea you could make a knife from a file....

Now I wanna do it !