Forge finish blades

ADBrown

ADBrown

Joined
Nov 14, 2021
Messages
758
I generally like some of the brut du forge knives I've seen -- those that have a remnant of forge scale (enough to add some character). When I see a blade that's entirely covered in scale, it seems unfinished (which is the point I guess), but it also seems to have the potential to hide some serious flaws. Am I too worried about that? As a user and not a smith, I'd like to hear from those of you who actually forge blades, and from buyers who've actually used them.
 
I'm glad that this thread pertaining to this subject has been started here.
Why?... Well, I have three knives that have a blade finish texture which I have wondered how it was achieved.
I have thought that maybe it was done during forging, with some left behind for this look... But, I have also thought that maybe it was done using some other process that involved no forging at all.
What would you guys say is the case?
(All three knives I speak of have this same finish)...

20220711_164511_(1).jpg20220711_164520_(1).jpg
 
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I think it looks cool, but I do worry that it will cause rust because of all the nooks and crannies. I have never had an issue with any tool that had a forge scale finish though. I dont prefer it, but it works fine.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
I'm glad that this thread pertaining to this subject has been started here.
Why?... Well, I have three knives that have a blade finish texture which I have wondered how it was achieved.
I have thought that maybe it was done during forging, with some left behind for this look... But, I have also thought that maybe it was done using some other process that involved no forging at all.
What would you guys say is the case?
(All three knives I speak of have this same finish)...

View attachment 1868075View attachment 1868074
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Hard to tell from the photos, but almost looks like it might've been "applied" at some point?
 
Roselli knives, at least those in Krupp W75 (similar to O1) have some of the scale left on. Good knives, all function.
 
CVamberbonehead said:
I think it looks cool, but I do worry that it will cause rust because of all the nooks and crannies. I have never had an issue with any tool that had a forge scale finish though. I dont prefer it, but it works fine.
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Rust is of course one issue, but I've seen full forge scale knives that appeared to have cracks. In normal finishing/grinding one could chase the apparent crack and either grind it out or discover it was only in the scale itself. If I liked the look, and discovered incipient cracks, I could attempt destructive testing to prove it was safe, or just hang it on the wall as a decoration. Having confidence in a smith with years of experience might alleviate some angst, but even the most experienced have a bad day now and then.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Forgive my ignorance, but how would it be applied, if/when it is not done by forging? Thanks in advance 👍
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I'm just spitballing, but maybe introduced as one would a maker's mark prior to heat treatment. Although you'd think there would be identifiable, repeating patterns. Don't get me wrong, I have a number of knives with minimal brut du forge treatment that I'm very fond of; what little scale remains is a decorative/artistic element that (hopefully) won't compromise the integrity of the blade. Of course a fully dressed out and finished blade can still fail due to HT or abusive use. A blade fully covered in scale, while appealing to some is a bit like having a cloak thrown over the knives.

Pocketknife Jimmy: those are beautiful knives you have. I'd love to display mine, but they live hidden and in obscurity lest my wife discover the extent of my deception. I'd be given the Sophies' Choice option involving many more of my children.
 
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ADBrown said:
I'm just spitballing, but maybe introduced as one would a maker's mark prior to heat treatment. Although you'd think there would be identifiable, repeating patterns. Don't get me wrong, I have a number of knives with this treatment that I'm very fond of, and display the remaing scale as a decorative/artistic element that (hopefully) won't compromise the integrity of the blade. Of course a fully dressed out and finished blade can still fail due to HT or abusive use. A blade fully covered in scale, while appealing to some is a bit like having a cloak thrown over the knives.
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Thanks for your input 👍
I guess I may never know for sure 🤔
 
For me, part of the beauty of a forged blade is seeing all the imperfections (not the ones that affect performance of course!). I want to see the how the metal was moved, I want to see the hammer marks, etc.
The grind should be fairly clean, the flats of course with forging marks.

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Keep the blade well oiled and you should be ok.
 
I like the brut d’forge partial “touch” close to the spine. I have tried few and one of the my first attempts was a complete disaster. I’ve used a hammer with “texture” in the face to print some triangules drawing, but I did some “cold bangs” hehe. After HT, every single triangule created a weak spot, so I could break it with a little pressure using two fingers. I always do hard tests with all blades after HT, but after that episode, my attention to temperature at the forge got bigger.
The forge finished knives from Dionatam Franco are completely perfect, and I think that he always leave the blade to the max stress in his tests.
So, maybe the maker has to be the deciding factor in that issue.
 
This is what I mean “partial touch close to the spine”…

AneRyGO.jpg
 
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