First attemps at forging

panch0 · Mar 30, 2012

Ok these are my first two things I heated up and beat with a hammer. As soon as I got the forge I tried to make a blacksmith knife but it didn't come out so good. I was like a kid and rushed to finish. Then I watched Tai Goo's video and learned what I did wrong.( everything). Today a buddy came over and I made him a fire poker. Its a simple as you can get but he was impressed with my cool manly way of hammering hot steel. Hehehehe... Anyways don't laugh tooo hard. I really like forging so far, and I see a lighter wallet in the future. Does anyone know of an online video that shows how to hammer out one of these knives step by step?

Brian Ayres · Mar 30, 2012

Nice Frank!

I don't know of any videos right off other than Tai,Ray n Chucks Hammer jammin video. But I've also never really looked.

Keep it up! You'll figure it out. I've taken a few forging lessons from A C Richards and have to say it made a huge difference in my technique.

It's addictive!!

Fred.Rowe · Mar 30, 2012

One of the great things about hammer work on an anvil is your progress is directly proportional too the hours you spend at it.

I have a good friend who, after apprenticing at my shop for a few months, got himself an anvil and forged a hundred blades. At the end of that hundred blades he was a wonder to watch when he forged blades. He forged the hundred blades in a 90 day period.

Another benefit; he has a good stock of forged blades to work on.

Fred

Raymond Richard · Mar 30, 2012

There's a pile of videos on forging at youtube. Sorry I can't point you anymore than that. Looks like you got a start. Don't get discouraged.

Atlas Knife Company · Apr 1, 2012

Looks good for your first. I believe the best advice for learning how to forge is the same as it is for how to get to Carnegie Hall: "Practice, practice, practice."

PS: I feel like a proud uncle that I was in any way able to help you realize your dream of forging a blade!

Bruce Culberson · Apr 1, 2012

That looks better than the first knife I tried to forge Frank.
A blacksmith knife is something I've been wanting to make for awhile now....

NStricker · Apr 1, 2012

Good start Frank! Like Bruce, that looks better than my first one did.

panch0 · Apr 2, 2012

Thanks guys, I got alot of practice to do.
I was in my garage looking for scrap pieces of metal to heat up and smash with a hammer.