- Joined
- Mar 18, 1999
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- 2,112
This is a sidebar to the "Triple Quench Thread".
As knifemakers, we generally start out in knifemaking for this reason or that reason, I don't really know what sparks other folks interests in this craft. I just wanted a good knife, then I wanted a better one...
When we first start out we really don't know where to begin so we buy this book or that book, browse internet forums and may attend a hammer in or one of the break out sessions offered by some of the knife clubs around the country.
Folks that do stock removal generally at one time or the other, usually early on, will make a Loveless, most everyone that forges will practice and make the proverbial 4 inch drop point hunter.
After we have done this for a while we start to develop our own methods, processes and designs. We learn a lot from other makers but we start to come into our own. We establish our own ways. This is where the consistency aspect comes into play.
As mentioned in the other thread there are certain aspects that contribute to that. Whether it is always using the same belts, the same quenchant, the same steel, the same temperature, the same time of day (for color), or whatnot, this all contributes to consistency.
Consistency DOES NOT guarantee the best blade. That is where testing comes in. We are always looking for continuous improvement but our basic methodology stays intact.
When I ask a fellow maker how to do this or that the answer usually starts out with, "Well, this is how I do it". It doesn't always mean that is the best answer for EVERYONE.
Granted there are bona-fide textbook scenarios but sometimes there really isn't a right answer to many, many questions due to the human factor. If you talk to other folks and their way seems to be enticing to try, then by all means, try it. It may be the right answer for YOU.
One piece of advice that I could give to everyone, especially to those just starting out, is to write everything down and keep a log. Write down not only the steel but the supplier. Write down the quenchant, the temperature of the quenchant, tempering temperature, etc. It will help in the long run.
Some smiths of old would at times chant while working a blade. They knew that if they said that particular chant at that particular time then the blade would turn out a certain way. The chant was their way of staying consistent when timing was critical. This was just one of those consistent variables. (This chanting is not to be confused with the rare occasion when a spark falls down inside of your boot and you dance a jig and use colorful language around the shop.)
If you ever wonder why things don't turn out the way they usually do then something has changed, some unforseen change in the variables.
The key is keep as many of the variables consistent.
Craig
As knifemakers, we generally start out in knifemaking for this reason or that reason, I don't really know what sparks other folks interests in this craft. I just wanted a good knife, then I wanted a better one...
When we first start out we really don't know where to begin so we buy this book or that book, browse internet forums and may attend a hammer in or one of the break out sessions offered by some of the knife clubs around the country.
Folks that do stock removal generally at one time or the other, usually early on, will make a Loveless, most everyone that forges will practice and make the proverbial 4 inch drop point hunter.
After we have done this for a while we start to develop our own methods, processes and designs. We learn a lot from other makers but we start to come into our own. We establish our own ways. This is where the consistency aspect comes into play.
As mentioned in the other thread there are certain aspects that contribute to that. Whether it is always using the same belts, the same quenchant, the same steel, the same temperature, the same time of day (for color), or whatnot, this all contributes to consistency.
Consistency DOES NOT guarantee the best blade. That is where testing comes in. We are always looking for continuous improvement but our basic methodology stays intact.
When I ask a fellow maker how to do this or that the answer usually starts out with, "Well, this is how I do it". It doesn't always mean that is the best answer for EVERYONE.
Granted there are bona-fide textbook scenarios but sometimes there really isn't a right answer to many, many questions due to the human factor. If you talk to other folks and their way seems to be enticing to try, then by all means, try it. It may be the right answer for YOU.
One piece of advice that I could give to everyone, especially to those just starting out, is to write everything down and keep a log. Write down not only the steel but the supplier. Write down the quenchant, the temperature of the quenchant, tempering temperature, etc. It will help in the long run.
Some smiths of old would at times chant while working a blade. They knew that if they said that particular chant at that particular time then the blade would turn out a certain way. The chant was their way of staying consistent when timing was critical. This was just one of those consistent variables. (This chanting is not to be confused with the rare occasion when a spark falls down inside of your boot and you dance a jig and use colorful language around the shop.)
If you ever wonder why things don't turn out the way they usually do then something has changed, some unforseen change in the variables.
The key is keep as many of the variables consistent.
Craig
