Besides Bladesmithing

D

DReicht

Joined
Oct 26, 2006
Messages
101
Do you guys use your forge and skills for things besides bladesmithing specifically? i.e. all sorts of blacksmithing? I see bladesmithing as an entry to an entire new expression of art. I can't wait to try my hand at things like roses, jewelry, and just interesting little trinkets.

Only problem is time :)
 
The same skills ,understanding the metallurgy and manipulation of hot materials, is used in the production of hand forged jewelery,copper ornamental work (roses,shrimp, insects),and ornamental ironwork. One of the things blacksmithing will teach you is that different materials have different properties. If you heat a bar of steel up red hot and stick it in a bucket of water it gets hard and brittle. If you stick a bar of red hot copper (or other non-ferrous metal) in a bucket of water it gets soft and malleable. That,and many other reasons, is why learning more than just the tool usage is the way to make good knives and other metal work.
Not everyone wants to know (or cares) about the lammelar structure of fine pearlite, But everyone who make knives should understand when it forms,and why it is different from Martensite.
As you acquire skills you will find yourself making more of your own tools(many for just one specific job) and more of the decorative and utilitarian items around your place (coat hooks, plant hangers, hot dog roasters,etc.). When your friend calls and asks you if you have a small pry bar,and you say," I'll make you one this afternoon.", you will realize why the blacksmith was the pride of the village.
Stacy

BTW - I am a custom goldsmith, I got started as a boy forging iron,then silver,now gold and platinum.
 
Be careful, forging is addictive! :)

if you want to forge your blades, I would highly recommend checking out ABANA (www.abana.org). The Artist Blacksmith Association of North America is an excellent resource on blacksmithing and related skills. there are also several local chapters, perhaps one near you. I would also recommend taking a blacksmithing class, or attending a seminar. Many of the tips and tricks used can be brought to bladesmithing as well. Please understand though that there are some ideas that you do not want to use. Many blacksmiths work at a much higher temperature than you will want to for knifemaking, and many do not have a good grasp on metallurgy, knowing just enough to heat treat the tools they have made. "heat to orange, drop into water and then temper back to a possum ear blue"

Like farriers, bladesmiths who study blacksmithing will find new ideas and simple techniques that will help them in their chosen craft. Even some ideas as basic as how to stand at the anvil, and how to hold a hammer will make a difference in your work.

I am biased though, I have spent a lot of time in my forge, knives, gates, armour, railings, frying pans, candelsticks.... the list goes on. My forge is my retreat, a place where I can go and forget all the troubles for a while, and just create. I am lucky enough to have found something I love and have been able to turn it into my profession.

Ken Nelson
Iron Wolf Forge
 
As Ironwolf said it is very addictive. I have been doing it for some twenty years and I still get excited about it. Up until the last three years I mostly done blacksmithing:railings,hardware,utensils,campwares,and all kinds of interior decortives. Theres lots on blacksmithing on the net check it out.
 
iForge is actually what started me looking at other types of forging instead of simply using it for blades. Blades can be beautiful and each one can be an extension of yourself, but after a certain point of artistic expression, I think that they have a tendency to loose their "tool value" which is something I prefer not to do with a knife.
 
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