Ever wonder what an AK looks like straight?

foxmd

foxmd

Joined
Oct 16, 2005
Messages
272
I got a blem AK from Yangdu a few months ago and while studying it, I wondered....what would this beast look like straight? So while on a two week break from med school, I fired up my forge and went to the anvil. The result was a little different than expected.

1) a crack appeared at the tip on the cutting edge, just about where the original hardening line stopped. Probably a micro fracture from the original hardening that opened up when the piece was heated to 1600 degrees. No worries, I just shortened about 3/4 inch.

2) the grinds on these blades are pretty complex. The proximal 1/3 of the blade is thicker and ground fairly obtuse compared to the distal 1/3 with a transition zone at the curve.

So...when I got is straightened, I decided to forge it more or less into a flat primary bevel with a distal taper. I have it ready to apply clay to the spine so as to develop a nice ( hopefully aesthetic ) hamon when I quench. I'll be using quenching oil I got from Mr. Ellis here on the forum so hopefully no more fractures decide to magically appear. here are some pre clay pics.



 
Fantastic:)!:thumbup: Be sure to show us what it looks like when you're done, please:)
 
Sacrilege! ;)

Just kidding, of course.:)


Looks cool. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Steve
 
Very cool! So how did you go about straightening..... did you have to reform the edge afterwards?

Thanks for the pics!

Andy
 
Now I've seen everything. "I got this super-blem from Yangdu. No wonder it was a blem, it had this huge bend in it. So fired up the forge and...." ;)

The final shape is interesting, and somewhat appealing. You definitely did a great job pounding out that shape. It's a slightly unusual way to get a very tip-heavy chopping blade. Nice box in the background, too.
 
wow. that's rad.

actually, was that a boomerang before hand? that hook just before the bump seems likely.

describe the process more please!

bladite
 
I can't wait to see the finished product :D Maybe Mrs. Martino could start a new product line if it turns out well :thumbup:
 
Here are some photos of the action this weekend. My equipment is currently being stored at my parent's property about two hours away so I only get to work on projects sporadically. I took some shots of the process. The last photo is one of my own blades that I finally got a chance to harden:D Only took me 6 months after I forged it :o

Thanks for the comments so far. I'll continue to post progress as it's made.

Pre Quench
checking color to gauge temp
forge action
post quench
one of my own
 
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