First forged knife completed - Brut de Forge in the Style of Joe Keeslar

JC in SC

JC in SC

Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
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This is the first forged knife that I've ever attempted. I completed it during a three day ABS course taught by Master Smith Joe Keeslar on his "Brut de Forge" style knife. It was a priviledge to take the course and learn hands-on from an incredible teacher. Finishing this knife was just icing on the cake. Blade steel is 1084. I'm not sure of the handle material, but the pins and liners are copper. It has a nice little hardening line that doesn't show in the photos. Obviously, it isn't perfect, but I'm quite proud nonetheless.

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I also posted a simliar thread in the maker's shop talk section that has a little more detail and a few more photos. I also wanted to post it here to get some more opinions, so please let me know what you think.

I apologize for the date stamp on the photos. My wife likes using it to date photos of our little girl and I always forget to turn it off when photographing knives.
 
Yep you should be very proud! Thats very nice. I really wanted to attend that course, but coulden't make it. Nice flair in the finger guard, I find that can be frustrating but I'm sure you learned the proper way to do it from Mr. Keesler.

OK, you learned some of Joe's style, now how about Bill's! A two day Moran Hammer-in/workshop May 6,7 At the Smokey Moutain Knife Works grounds in Sevierville TN. MS Jay Hendrickson & A.G.Barnes will be teaching the Moran method of knife design, forging, grinding & heat treat. $75.00 for the workshop.

Also an display of W.F. Moran knives opens at the National Knife Museum that weekend at SMKW.



Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
 
Congratulations! Nice work. I like this style and design of Joe's a lot and have one of his from years ago. Here's an old shot of it to show how close you got with your first effort. Joe is also an exceptional teacher.

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Here's your next challenge. Check this out:

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It never dawned on me to simply make the knife with it's mirror image as the second half of one of the coolest small daggers (in this style) ever. This was Joe's long-time demo knife for hammer-ins and such. He didn't want to sell it. When I saw his lovely wife giving him 'the eye' I pushed a little harder and he relented. She wanted him to go ahead and sell it. He could make another in a day. But this one had the 'stuff' I wanted. You could forge your own. I wish I could do that! Again, nice work and thanks for sharing your good experience. :thumbup:
 
Hello Buddy - Thank you for your comments and comparison to one of Joe's blades, I'm blushing. Of course it didn't hurt that he was a fantastic teacher and there to coach and assist every step of the way. He is truly a master craftsman in everything that he does and the quickness with which he is able to perform any task is simply stunning. I can only dream of becoming half the bladesmith he is. I mean that both figuratively and literally, the man swings an 8 or 9 lb hammer!

During the last day of the class, he actually showed us how to do the dual upset guard for a dagger like you've shown. I think the dagger you posted is particularly effective in demonstrating the essence of Joe's Brut de Forge design philosophy - superbly finished yet unrefined. Personally, I love seeing the character of the forging process carry through to the finished blade. Thank you for sharing those pictures and nice score on the dagger by the way.

Hopefully one day my work will progress to the point where it is worthy of your skills.
 
Josh,
Joe Keesler kicked my butt last weekend in the Battle of the Bladesmiths. He finished his knife in record time. I finished second then Burt Foster and James Rodebaugh. The funny thing was Joe was eating cheesecake and asking us when we thought we might get done. He turned 70 that same weekend. A great maker and a good friend.

Jason Knight
Master Bladesmith
Harleyville, SC
United States
North America
Northern Hemisphere
Earth
Milkyway Galaxy
Infinite Universe
Outside of that I'm lost
 
JC,
I met Joe Keeslar at a three day hammer-in last October; he's an awesome teacher & put on a really great seminar. You done good! real good.............Bill, Columbia, S.C.
 
Hi Jason,

I was hoping to hear how the battle went. I've admired yours and Burt Foster's work for some time now and Joe really impressed me at the course, so I couldn't pick a favorite or begin to predict the winner. Congratulations on coming in second.

Joe managed to stretch out the forging and finishing of his demonstration knife over most of the three day course. He mentioned that in his shop, without stopping to talk, he could forge one of these out in about 12 minutes. I was impressed that anyone could forge with precise control using an 8 - 9 lb hammer, let alone a man that is 70 years old! I guess that is what a stint in the Marines and 40 years of bladesmithing experience will do for you. He has a hell of a sense of humor too!

Hello Bill,

Joe is the first ABS Master Smith that I have met in person and he literally exudes the ABS goal of promoting the forged blade. Thanks for your comments.
 
And you should be proud Josh. Very nice work especially considering it being your
first forged knife.

Joe's been very successful in developing a "very elegant", "brute de forge" style that's quite unique and appealing.

One of the best sheathmakers on the planet as well.
 
JC,
Not only was Joe at the hammer-in, but so was Don Fogg & Bill Burke. There were seven mastersmiths in addendance for the event & all were super nice people who were there to share their knowledge & experience. I believe the hammer-in had 90 people in addendance, maybe more w/3 full days of seminars & 4 gas forges going full-bore so anyone who wanted could forge themselves a knife. The mastersmiths were offering help to get people started forging a tip on a blade, etc. A teacher from the nearby college brought a class by & two of the mastersmiths gave them a knifemaking demonstration by hammering out a blade in 20mins. flat! If you get the chance to attend a hammer-in, by all means do so. I forget quite easily, but even I learned a thing or three! Bill..............
 
Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your comments. It is always nice to hear that someone else thinks your work is halfway decent, but it is especially flattering from someone of your caliber.

Hello Lon,

Getting the thumbs up from a maker well versed in this style is also very flattering. Thank you.

A hammer-in is definitely on my to-do list for sometime this year Bill. I've heard the one a few weekends ago at HCC was quite awesome, so I'm sorry I missed it. Unfortunately, it was either the Brut de Forge class or the hammer-in. I'm confident I made the right choice:D
 
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