Forging demonstration

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
I've been gearing up for my first show of the year so this normally means along with making a table full of knives I've got the forging demonstration I need to prepare for. Normally its what ever I can pull out of the hat but this year the thyme for the Oregon Show is the Japanese Sword. In fact I was asked to do a sword. The demo's are normally 1 hour long so I said no sword but I would try a tanto. The picture shows a couple practice pieces, both took more than an hour to forge but at least now I've got a pretty good idea of what I can produce. Top blade is out of W-2 and the bottom blade is 1084 and was forged out of the same size bar stock that is also in the picture, its 1/4 X 1". Do they look like tanto's? My job will be to convince the crowd thats what I just got done forging.

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:thumbup:Who would dare disagree with you Rae.:thumbup:

Really sorry to hear this will be your last year for the demos. You would be a hard act to follow.
 
Good clean forgings,
historically the correct rough forged shape would be more like this...
 

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Ray,
Don't know that I've actually seen a rough forged tanto, but those both look pretty dang good for a one hour try! :thumbup:
Would actually like to see 'em if/when you get them finished!
See ya in Eugene! :D
 
ray....i would so love to see u do a sword one day.....anyway...i think they shouldhave a slight curve to them....other than that i think the shape looks good...it's hard to tell from the rough forged pic for me....they look awsome....ryan
 
ryan9977 said:
ray....i would so love to see u do a sword one day.....anyway...i think they shouldhave a slight curve to them....other than that i think the shape looks good...it's hard to tell from the rough forged pic for me....they look awsome....ryan
Click to expand...

Ryan, As far as I know the curve comes when they are quenched. They go in straight and mother nature does the rest.

Stephen, Your right about the shape of the tang. I'm going to go get some propane and do one more practice piece. Got one thing going in my favor and thats demonstrations seldom go as planned.

Joe, Looking forward to seeing you.

Jim, Its the set up and take down that really bothers my back. Doing the demo's isn't the problem. I wouldn't mind doing a quest appearance after someone else does all the work of setting up.
 
duh...forogt about that ray....are u gonna quench it in water then i guess.....that'll be exciting.....good luck with the demo....ryan
 
ryan9977 said:
duh...forogt about that ray....are u gonna quench it in water then i guess.....that'll be exciting.....good luck with the demo....ryan
Click to expand...

Ryan, I've done the water quench once already this year. Thats enough excitement for the old man.
 
ray.....do u still get a curve from quenching in oil....does it have to do with the thickness or geometry of the blade or?.....just curious...ryan
 
depends on the oil, as well as a few other factors

generally speaking you will actually get reverse curve when using oil.

I did a Nagamaki blade a while back that went into the quench with .375" Sori and came out DEAD straight.... darn parks #50 (love the stuff)
 
Ryan, These tanto blades are new to me. I did get a reverse curve using oil once. I had clayed the blade and went straight in. The blade was about a foot long and thin. I was surprised to see the results. If I screw these two blades up it won't be the first time.
 
stephanfowler said:
Good clean forgings,
historically the correct rough forged shape would be more like this...
Click to expand...

I think you can gain some time if you follow the traditional shape. They had tangs like stephans drawings. It may be hard for an "Ol Bowie Boy" like you to not forge a dropped edge. :D
 
Ol Bowie Boy just got some brand new propane so he could light up his forge one more time before the demo. I just forged the 3rd blade down. How's this look to all the traditionalist? I did a little preform for the tang. I cut about 1/4" X 2" long piece off the top of the spine before I started forging.

IMG_0410.JPG
 
Looking good. See you Friday?? with your steel and a real spring for you to forge out. Maybe you can use it for your demo:D:D
 
Chuck, Spring steel. For some reason I'm thinking it is big and round. I'll go with the 1084 that I'll be bringing but thanks for the offer. Make sure you bring a big bag of candy.
 
ray...r u gonna finish all those tantos to completion.....i'd love to see one with a wrought iron habaki and an octagonal handle.......that would look too cool.....i think it would look great if you left some of the forge finish on but polished the edge to show the hamon....don fogg has one that is burned into my mind like that.....i'll never forget that blade for some reason.....ryan
 
Ryan, sounds like Dons Yakuza Bowie, Great looking knife.

Ray Whats Wrong You Chicken??:confused::eek::confused:. I will let you decide when you see it. You have to try this stuff it works really nice. I even made a hot cut out of it for my anvil. Hold up really well. I am having Chuck Bybee do a certification on it to find out what it is. I go a 5lb bag of CHOCOLATE :D:D ready for you.
 
Ryan, How about stag?

Chuck, The main reason I like doing the demo's with flat bar stock is its already made. When I do the demo I like to finish with a mostly forged blade. The round stock takes to long to hand forge. Chuck Bybee gave a good sized chunk of 1" round L-6 in Montana when I did the demo there. Its still sitting on my bench. I told Chuck its only a 1 hour demo. I hear its going to be warm over the weekend. Make sure the chocolate is on ice.
 
Bring that L6 over and you can pound or press it out. Make flat stock really fast. I was just kidding about the round stock. I will bring it up for you though. Now I just have to remember to put your O1 in the truck...
 
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