ABS intro to bladesmithing @ NESMW + MORE

[ISKski]

Mods I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum, so please move it if need be

Let my preface by saying I have never forged anything before - and have only made one knife via stock removal with only a single file. (got pics of that too if you wanna see)

After my first day behind an anvil all i can say is, damn my arm hurt

lol but seriously to all those bladesmiths out there who do their work with a hammer (be it powered or manual) and hot steel - wow, my respect for you has grown tremendously - and I'm sure it will continue to grow as the weeks go by!

Instructor - Tim Portier Master Smith

Showing us how to move that metal

My first attempt, a hidden tang hunter

Da Forge - heating up some 1/4 5160

Second attempt - full tang this time

Kinda fixed up my hidden tang a little
a screw up
2nd knife
And the piece I was left with

The honorary first class burn, luckily it wasn't bad at all

I wasn't aware that I should quench my tongs before i put them away, Lesson learned.

That was my first day in the class -there will be several more pictures over the next few days.

This is awesome.

 

[kimsalls]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like fun!

 

[Meier66]

I've always had huge respect for bladesmiths who forge their own blade.

I think you did good for your first day! :thumbup:

Looking forward to more pictures

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Yeah, baby!
You're on the way now. :thumbup:

 

[BRTATCK]

You all have a great instructor with Tim. Enjoy the class. You will be surprised at what your blades look like at the end of the class.
Brion

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Looks like fun!! You will do well listening to Tim. I met him at the Piney Woods Fall Hammer In, very nice guy. Enjoy and I for one would appreciate more pics.

Chris

 

[Leethal Cutlery]

Welcome to the club my friend!!

 

[Allen Newberry]

Tim Potier was one of my instructors when I took the class a few years ago. Great guy! You will have fun and learn a lot.

 

[ISKski]

awesomeness continued ....

We got a quick lesson on grinding - this was also my first time behind a belt grinder - I got to work on the "cadillac" of grinders, a TW 90 with all the bells and whistles (not that i know how or even got to use them)

The master and his pupils (he was demoing on the bader)

How to get the ricasso

I went back to the anvil while a couple of people tried their hand at grinding, Look at that drop point!!! Woop woop

Heat - Hammer Hammer Hammer - Heat - Hammer Hammer Hammer

Resident smith and ABS apprentice Nick Rossi filling away at his file brute de forge fighter with a Keeslar Guard

Here is my knife after the first couple of passes on the grinder - shes got a lotta beauty marks but ill be damned, its a knife!

Here she is a little cleaned up, there are some pretty deep pits/hits that are still there but I'm REALLY pleased with it for a first timer

Taper shot

This is soooooooo much fun!

 

[GTH11]

Awesome stuff!!
Looks like soo much fun!