Forging at the Farr shop

Matthew Gregory

Matthew Gregory

Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
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This weekend I spent a long weekend forgin', funnin' and grindin' with Dan Morgan (aka Kaleb), the illustrious Mr. Roger Pinnock, and of course, bladesmith extraordinaire Daniel "The Mad Gasser" Farr. Here's some shots of the weekend:

Forging at the Farr Shop
 
Great album, Matt! Thanks for sharing. The snowfall must have made for a great setting. Is that red anvil perchance one made by Doug Noren?
Please share the hamon with us when the blade is finished.
 
Awesome.... you're quite lucky to spend time with a maker the caliber of Farr. I love the picture of the blade clayed and the results post heat treat.

How did you apply the clay like that and what are you using for clay? My satanite/ATP mix doesn't seem to work that cleanly.

Looks like a great time cept for all that white stuff on the ground :confused:
 
Here's a quick synopsis of the first two days. Unfortunately, I lost every photo I took on Saturday and Sunday. Serves me right for borrowing a camera far beyond my capabilities to either own, operate, or afford!

Newguy Dan Morgan forever known here as Kaleb straightening the spine of one of the FOUR blades he forged this weekend!

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Me working with the power hammer Dan's going to give me when he realizes how much he loves me:

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Temperatures and weather conditions were all over the place this weekend, ranging from single digits and snow to bright skies and 40 degrees!

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My big blade roughed out...

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Kaleb hamming it up between heats:

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Rog-Rog-MyMainMan-Rog working the steel like a pro:

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Dan doing a bit of refining for the tip of Kaleb's 6" wakizashi that somehow went over 9" - funny how that happens...

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Roger using his new best friend, the Bader BIII grinder:

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A little rough-grinding guidance:

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The claycoat layout for my bowie:

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Roger working on some stippling for his previous knife project - they're never really done, you know...

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Roger seems to get behind a machine and his hands become perfectly steady. He picks up knew skills with an amazing adroitness!

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Here's a closeup of the work in progress:

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Kaleb's four project blades after rough grind:

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God! I have a stunning profile, don't you think?

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Quenching, agitating, opening the window... all at once, and looking good doing it!

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After the quench, clay scraped off:

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Roger working with his 'Knifemaker's Game" knife - Bakelite handle material!

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One more of the Rog workin' that grinder:

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...now to start the next thread. A pictorial of the weekend's secret special guest star!

Stay tuned!
 
fitzo said:
Is that red anvil perchance one made by Doug Noren?
Please share the hamon with us when the blade is finished.
Click to expand...

Yup. Nice anvil... kind of makes me rethink what's necessary for a bladesmithing anvil.

I'll work in getting a shot of the hamon today, if time allows. I've only brought one side of the blade to 320 grit, so it's far from polished properly!
 
Grrrrrrr what is that clay made of and how did you apply it like that!!!! TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME!!!!! arrrgggghhhhhh :p
 
Dangit, now that I see that Bader in use, I really want one...
Great thread, can't wait to see the rest!
 
Will Leavitt said:
How did you apply the clay like that and what are you using for clay? My satanite/ATP mix doesn't seem to work that cleanly.

Looks like a great time cept for all that white stuff on the ground :confused:
Click to expand...


The best time in the world for me is when it's 15 degrees - just seems to be what my body prefers!

I use Satanite mixed to about a toothpaste consistency, and I apply it with a plastic stick. Most guys use popsicle sticks/tongue depressors. Make sure you clean the blade (I use acetone), and let it dry. I accelerate the process by using a heat gun. Hope this helps!
 
Hmmmmmm I must not be holding my mouth right.... 15 degrees? I don't understand that temperature :confused:

Thanks :) now I can go take a nap before night shift :p
 
Matthew Gregory said:
The best time in the world for me is when it's 15 degrees - just seems to be what my body prefers!
Click to expand...

I hear that, Matt! It was 35 here this weekend, and we're down to about 8" of snow on the ground. Felt like Spring, though there's surely more winter to come.
 
Please pass along to Mr Pinnock that I like his articles. Is there anyone out there that doesn't like Dan Farr's work? It goes without saying that I am a fan of his.
 
Matt - great job on the pics. That bowie you forged out was beyond awesome. I'm here to tell you guys - the hamon on this thing is just outstanding - lots of layered activity. Can't wait to see that one completed.

Hats off to Dan .. er... Kaleb - I can't imagine FOUR completed blades my first time out, one being a large tanto, no less.

Thanks again to Dan and to you and Kaleb for one heck of an enjoyable weekend. (Okay. the drive down through a freakin' blizzard wasn't much fun, but everything else rocked).

I really like the look and feel that the stippling added to the handle - here's a quick and dirty shot:

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silenthunterstudios said:
Please pass along to Mr Pinnock that I like his articles.
Click to expand...

Many thanks - I sincerely appreciate it. Be sure to tell the editor. ;) And please do drop the "Mr." business. :)

Roger
 
Nice work Matt and Co. I have to ask though, what does it feel like to work with people serious about knives? To bad I hadn't had time to warn Dan about you Matt.:D
Paul
 
Here's some shots of the hamon. 320 grit, no etch. Not very revealing, but I think you'll get the idea...

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...and one of the profile. No hamon visible, but a decent shot of the lines of the knife.

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Great fun, Great friends, Great learning experience...
It just dosen't get much better.
 
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