Forge Only (No Grind) Knife

G L Drew

G L Drew

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Feb 3, 2005
Messages
4,805
I just heard about the process of forging a knife complete enough that it does not need grinding except to sharpen. Is this a common practice or an exercise in careful hammering? Has anyone here tried it out? I am fascinated with the idea and would like to give it a try when the weather cools down and I feel more like running the forge.

Comments? Pictures? Advice?
 
it's a stupid idea, you need to grind to remove your decarb layer. Forge as clean as you can to minimize the amount you need to remove for cosmetic reasons, but you will get decarb, and you should want to remove it

-Page
 
I think that I saw a Raymond Richard knife in the custom section several weeks back that was done like this.
 
I've always been a little stupid. :D I end up doing a little grinding on the profile but other than that they can be done with just a hammer. Lots of hammer control is needed along with a huge amount of patience. A long soak in vinegar and cleaning with a wire brush is needed to remove the decarb. Here's a few I have done this past year. Probably the reason my hand is so screwed up now.

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I agree with Ray. Lot's of hammer control. The vinager soaks with scrubbing in between will take care of the scale. Using a muffle pipe for stress relieving and heat treat will take care of the decarb.
Mike
 
Lon Humphrey said:
you ever try Hydrochloric acid to take off the scale insted of vinagar?
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Lon, I'm sure the hydrochloric acid will work but I get a little gun shy when I can see fumes. Anymore I'm not in a big rush either. The vinegar takes anywhere from 24 hours to even longer. That's with wire brushing from time to time also.
 
I guess I am on the stupid boat with Ray. I sometimes do blades by forging only. I hammer as close as I can,do a vinegar soak,Do a profile grind and hit with a belt or file. Sure saves money on belts. The main thing is don't let the scale build and get hammered in the metal and if you like to hammer like I do it sure is fun.
 
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Those are gorgeous Richard, someday after lots of effort, I'd like to be that stupid.

Leadfoot
 
Ray's knives always look really great, and it looks like he has probably ground the edge back and deep enough to have gotten through the decarb

-Page
 
I think there is some confusions between "decarb" and "forge scale". The vinegar/acid will take off the scale, but if the decarb is actually beneath the surface of the steel, which it is if it is technically to be called decarb, then it is still a problem.

Now this does not get into the more complicated topic of whether or not careful forging in a reducing atmosphere can eliminate decarb altogether. Guys like Ray and Tai Goo may be able to do this. And I like the idea of using files and paper, but I also think I probably still have to remove a bit of steel to get to the good stuff.
 
I am a very big fan of Mr. Richard's forge work... very inspiring, Raymond.

Christoph Deringer is another big influence for me. Here is a progress pic of some of his pieces (sorry no finished pics)...
forgingsChristoph.jpg


As for my own "stupid" attempts....

Both of these knives were forged down to .030-.040". The bottom one was cleaned up with a file to .015"-.020". I haven't done anything else to these since. They are not HT'd yet...
IMG_0159-1.jpg


This one was forged to .020" then HT'd. After two temper cycles, I soaked it in vinegar and buffed it a bit. Then I gave it a light oiling and tempered one last time. That finish is the baked on oil. I'm sure there is decarb on the bevels but the edge has been sharpened and any decarb, removed.
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Burl Source said:
I'm with Stupid.
Those forged only knives look great to me.
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Add me to that list :)

Ray, your forge skills never cease to amaze me :thumbup: :thumbup:

I hope your hand/arm heals ;)

FWIW, I'm very much enjoying the Puukko's you've been making because of your injury :o



Rick, awesome dagger !! Simply awesome !! :thumbup: :thumbup:




:cool:
 
I guess I am with every other stupid person. For the longest time I didn't us any power tool and forged all my knives to final shape. did the vinegar soak and away I went....Not as nice as some of others work here, but they sure worked great (mostly for myself) ....Steve
 
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