Forged Blade?

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
I visited the ABANA web site today and was checking out the info on the Batson Hammer In and noticed some stuff about the rope cutting contest. If I got to go the hammer in I sure would like a try at the rope chop. I was a tad suprised when I read that the knife used for the chop had to be a forged blade. This made me wonder what exactly constitues a forged blade. If I heat up a bar of steel and hammer on it a little to shape it some, is it a forged blade? What percentage of completion has to be done on the anvil before it's considered a forged blade?
 
That's a pretty good question!

Some of the old school guys forge right down to the nitty-gritty...while most of the newer generation believe that it's best to leave some sacrificial material on the blade before grinding and heat-treating.

I'm at the point now that I can forge right down pretty close, but I still stop and leave a fair amount for the grinder. And I've seen pics of knives that were forged...that looked about like a piece of bar-stock that's had the corners knocked off on the band-saw.

My advice...would be to try and forge the profile and the bevels in...at least a little, and give it a go.

The one thing you'll find... is even the most brutal hard-core forger has to use some stock-removal if he ends up with a finely finished blade...:)

Nick
 
Email Jerry Fisk...He can tell you all the rules..
He has a thread farther down on the forums here about the contest.
Bruce
 
Bump heads with Russ Mike. Maybe you can work out some forge time in his garage :D

A word of warning though. Once you get started forging you're going to be ruined. I'm sure Russ can give you a few pointers about how to go about forging a blade down to the point that you could finish it up in your knife shop. And just a pointer for you. Go with your favorite steel. L6. Show those boys how they do things out in Florida!

Oh, and get some 1" manilla rope and practice at home before you go. I cut the rope at the intro class at the ABS school and it definately takes some practice and finesse. Get the rules from Jerry and give it a go. And remember, it's all in fun (mostly) so just have fun and don't worry about the outcome. Those boys are going to be grinning like a fox eating grapes. I wish I could be there.
 
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