First time forging

[knoxknives]

today I forged for the first time. Really enjoyed it, have much to learn obviously! Used the .25x1” bar that came with my atlas.

https://imgur.com/a/M6QcI

 

[bike4fun919 OpbunchKnives]

Well done!

 

[DanF]

Very well done for your first forged knife!
It's all over now, you're hooked.

 

[knoxknives]

Thanks for the encouraging words Dan and bike4fun. A few things I learned:
- it is harder than it looks to get the heel started on beveling
- the steel cools quickly, spent more time waiting on the steel to heat up than pounding it.
- my 4x4 anvil did heat-up more than I thought, was hot to the touch when I was done.
- need to work on thinning metal out on the handle. I did thin the back of the handle with a slight taper. I don't have a horn on my block anvil, so guess will try back of hammer next time.
- I really enjoyed it! at this point it takes me longer than stock removal, but eventually I will get faster/better ;-)

I ordered a few 1x.25x48" and 1.25x.25x48" of 1084 from NJSB, that should keep me busy for a while.

I am putting my first attempt at sheep's horn handle on this one, since i'll keep it for my boys. went with black and red liners to give some thickness, and six 1/8" brass pins. I wanted to leave just a little of the forging marks on the blade, just to remind it was forged.

 

[Justin Schmidt]

Looks good! Way better than my first 3-4 forged knives! Keep it up and welcome to tge addiction

 

[bike4fun919 OpbunchKnives]

I think you have the gift! That will be a keep sake.

 

[knoxknives]

Lesson learned - Sheeps horn is translucent under the scale...so the color of the liner will show through so be careful what you pick (pink was not really my intent).

 

[bike4fun919 OpbunchKnives]

You did a great job on finishing it up. What grinder do you use?

 

[weo]

As said above, welcome....if you think forging is addicting, just wait until you pull your first Damascus piece out of the etching medium.....
~billyO

 

[weo]

I don't have a horn on my block anvil, so guess will try back of hammer next time.

Or, just take a grinder to the edges of your block, rounding each edge with different radii and hit the steel with half-faced blows and this does the same thing as a horn. (IMO it does a better job and I do this much more than using my horn. I use my horn mainly for forging a curve into a piece)

 

[knoxknives]

Thanks guys.

bike4fun I have a Oregon grinder from ebay with a vfd and 1.5hp 3phase motor, works great for me. really glad I spent $ for the vfd.