Brut-de-Forge Chopper

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I never said that this was a bad knife(I wouldn't know, because it isn't mine)...and I REALLY appreciate your taking the time to explain that this is your first forged Brut de Forge, Allen...that makes a lot of difference. Good for you, and congrats...quite the accomplishment.

Enjoying what you do is so key to happiness. I wish you continued success in your knifemaking journey.

AKC said:
(Trackers Forge Hudson Bay by Bob Alderman)
I agree the forge scale at the edge does detract slightly, but this in not a major issue, and I'm certain does not affect performance, with the exception of a possible edge geometry change once sharpening has reached this area. (Most likely not for quite some time.) Alderman is an extremely accomplished smith, the edge packing exhibited on all his work I have attests to this. Experience is the key, and comes slowly.
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Please read this article by Kevin Cashen on forging.....
http://www.cashenblades.com/images/articles/lowdown.html
If I read it correctly, there really is not too much advantage to "edge packing".

Mr. Alderman may be a very accomplished smith, but when it comes to explaining metallurgy in the context of bladesmithing, Kevin Cashen is THE Man.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I had actually hoped we had collectively put that whole "edge packing" business to rest a long time ago. Guess not.

Apologies for the further thread drift Allen - buy you a beer in Little Rock!
 
Kohai999 said:
Please read this article by Kevin Cashen on forging.....
http://www.cashenblades.com/images/articles/lowdown.html
If I read it correctly, there really is not too much advantage to "edge packing".

Mr. Alderman may be a very accomplished smith, but when it comes to explaining metallurgy in the context of bladesmithing, Kevin Cashen is THE Man.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Thanks for the link, interesting reading. Excuse and ignore my use of the term "edge packing". It's not what I meant to use to describe the forged geometry of the Alderman blade versus a ground surface.

RogerP said:
I had actually hoped we had collectively put that whole "edge packing" business to rest a long time ago. Guess not.

Apologies for the further thread drift Allen - buy you a beer in Little Rock!
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Please see the above. Edited post to remove reference to "edge packing".

I'll buy him a beer too, if I ever make it out there. :)
 
Just got back from a trip yesterday and only just read this thread.

Normally, when I see something that I really think looks visually ugly, at least to my own eye, I keep quiet (note I said "normally"). But with all that's obviously been going back and forth on this thread, no way for me to avoid it. And I think STeven has received undue criticism here, for reasons explained below.

I agree with STeven's assessment of the visual appearance of this chopper, from bow to stern. At the same time, I think Allen Newberry's work usually looks just fine. But this forum has, as pointed out earlier in this thread by STeven, again become mostly a "pats on the back" thread with little real input that might help a maker understand what those who do not comment might think.
 
AKC - you should really try to make it man, such a huge concentration of great knives and makers all combined with a laid-back atmosphere.
 
The last time this forum had a pissing contest about negative remarks, the "players" on this forum came to a consensus that if the maker asks for feedback, then its fair game. If the maker does not ask for comments, then you should be courteous and follow the axiom "if you can't say something nice, be still".

Mr. Newberry did not ask for feedback in his initial post.
 
brownshoe said:
The last time this forum had a pissing contest about negative remarks, the "players" on this forum came to a consensus that if the maker asks for feedback, then its fair game. If the maker does not ask for comments, then you should be courteous and follow the axiom "if you can't say something nice, be still".

Mr. Newberry did not ask for feedback in his initial post.
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In my opinion, starting a post in this particular forum showcasing your work is by default an invitation for comments. If a maker simply wants to post pictures of their work with minimal comments, then The Gallery is the best venue.
 
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Hey Allen! Hang in there buddy.. I know the feeling. :-) While not a 'beautiful' knife in the traditional sense... functionality often equals beauty to me.

I agree that this forum needs more constructive criticism.. but derogatory remarks without supporting comments, details and suggestions doesn't make sense to me. It is often enough of a message to post something and then listen to the tumbleweeds pass on by as not a single person comments. If it is any consolation.. your 'ugly' knife has generated four pages of comments!
 
Edge packing as most folks understand it seems discredited. I will say that edge planishing at a relatively low heat *is* helpful when forging as close to final shape as possible on the shaping side of things. There are a few folks who are good enough at it that they completely forge the secondary bevel and only stock remove for the primary bevel. Tim Lively and Raymond Richard are a couple who come to mind. I'm not that good. :)
 
I like it! It has an organic quality about it...and Im sure its a heck of a cutter! I also dig the G-10 on a blade like that. A nice wood choice would be fiddleback maple? I have a large Fighter/Camp knife patterned after the Moran style that has a fiddleback handle. Cool stuff!
 
I think it's a beautiful knife, Allen!!

At 1st I thought Brute de Forge was kind of gimmicky
Now, I like them...... :)
 
Storm Crow said:
Edge packing as most folks understand it seems discredited. I will say that edge planishing at a relatively low heat *is* helpful when forging as close to final shape as possible on the shaping side of things. There are a few folks who are good enough at it that they completely forge the secondary bevel and only stock remove for the primary bevel. Tim Lively and Raymond Richard are a couple who come to mind. I'm not that good. :)
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Thanks, this was exactly what I meant to say. :D
 
brownshoe said:
The last time this forum had a pissing contest about negative remarks, the "players" on this forum came to a consensus that if the maker asks for feedback, then its fair game. If the maker does not ask for comments, then you should be courteous and follow the axiom "if you can't say something nice, be still".

Mr. Newberry did not ask for feedback in his initial post.
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Yeah, this thread reminds me of a thread I started here a few months ago.

A-Topic-for-Actual-Discussion

betzner said:
Just got back from a trip yesterday and only just read this thread.

Normally, when I see something that I really think looks visually ugly, at least to my own eye, I keep quiet (note I said "normally"). But with all that's obviously been going back and forth on this thread, no way for me to avoid it. And I think STeven has received undue criticism here, for reasons explained below.

I agree with STeven's assessment of the visual appearance of this chopper, from bow to stern. At the same time, I think Allen Newberry's work usually looks just fine. But this forum has, as pointed out earlier in this thread by STeven, again become mostly a "pats on the back" thread with little real input that might help a maker understand what those who do not comment might think.
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And this post reminds me of a post on another thread:

Thread Closed
 
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I like it. That is a blade shape that i do also. With the hammer finish on the spine, not anywhere near the edge though.

The handle makes the whole knife look like a interesting mix of old and new. Like grandpas chopper got re-handled.
 
I like it. That is a blade shape that i do also. With the hammer finish on the spine, not anywhere near the edge though.

The handle makes the whole knife look like a interesting mix of old and new. Like grandpas chopper got re-handled.
 
Morrow said:
In my opinion, starting a post in this particular forum showcasing your work is by default an invitation for comments. If a maker simply wants to post pictures of their work with minimal comments, then The Gallery is the best venue.
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I totally agree. You have to be willing to accept the direct and constructive critique along with the praise. IMO, the critique is more valuable to a maker. Everyone benefits from constructive well delivered critique even if you don't agree with it. No one benefits from the "over praise" we often see of so-so knives on this forum.
STeven's delivery may be harsh but he does know his knives though his taste in them often varies from mine.
 
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Layered G10 and brut de forge feel like too much of a clash of styles to me. I like the black and white photo as I can imagine the handle as a nice slab of wood instead. :)

for myself I would want G10 with a clean finished blade or wood with the brut de forge.
 
Well folks,this is my knife & I like it just fine.:p
Allen made it to my specs & IMO,he knocked it out of the park.
Thanks again Allen,it was money well spent on my part.

I chopped some 2x4s & split some 4x4s at work when it came in & it performed fantastically.
It's very comfortable in use & bites deep.
Now I can't wait to take it camping & beat the hell out of it.
And I love the orange/black G10 & only wish that I could have gotten some thicker orange & carbon fiber I told you about,that would have looked even better.(love the red & carbon fiber on my little tin knife.)
As far as the errant hammer blow,no biggie,it doesn't effect the performance in the least & gives the knife character.


Thanks for the positive comments and the critiques gents.
The bottom line is as stated...I the customer,am very pleased with my Brute-de Forge Chopper from Allen Newberry(with the errant hammer mark & nontraditional G10 handle scales.)

Merry Christmas BF.
 
mykel m said:
Well folks,this is my knife & I like it just fine.:p
Allen made it to my specs & IMO,he knocked it out of the park.
Thanks again Allen,it was money well spent on my part.

I chopped some 2x4s & split some 4x4s at work when it came in & it performed fantastically.
It's very comfortable in use & bites deep.
Now I can't wait to take it camping & beat the hell out of it.
And I love the orange/black G10 & only wish that I could have gotten some thicker orange & carbon fiber I told you about,that would have looked even better.(love the red & carbon fiber on my little tin knife.)
As far as the errant hammer blow,no biggie,it doesn't effect the performance in the least & gives the knife character.


Thanks for the positive comments and the critiques gents.
The bottom line is as stated...I the customer,am very pleased with my Brute-de Forge Chopper from Allen Newberry(with the errant hammer mark & nontraditional G10 handle scales.)

Merry Christmas BF.
Click to expand...

And there it is - the bottom line and all that really matters. :)
 
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