Clay subsitute

[unky_gumbi]

So I am thinking of making a Tanto with a hamon and was wondering if instead of clay could I just use some of the firebrick mortar that I have left over?

 

[BChou-E29]

Yes, something like Rutland's fireplace mortar will work.

 

[Mungo Park]

sift it through a screen to get the rocks out.
Cheers Ron

 

[David Stifle]

The black furnance cement works well, and only costs five bucks or so. A can lasts forever. I used it for years before I switched to sananite.A true mortar may not be the best, but never used it.

Dave

 

[unky_gumbi]

Well it looks like I may have to forget about the attempt to try a hamon at this time, the blade wont fit in my little coffee can forge, and the weather is just cold enough that it wont come up to temp either. Oh well the next one maybe.

@Mongo Park: There are no stones in it, it is the pre mix stuff from the sounding stone.

 

[cdent]

You might cut a small hole in the back of the forge. It seems to be a pretty common practice to pass a blade back and forth through the smaller hot spot until the whole blade takes an even heat. May as well try, it's a long time till spring.

 

[unky_gumbi]

It is barely able to get a small piece up to dull orange at 32F out side, to get it up to non magnetic right now just isn't going to happen out doors and I don't have any place I am willing to do this indoors right now