Forging techniques

Marko3

Marko3

Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
1,783
I would like to talk about forging methods and get a feel what other smiths are doing as far as techniques and tricks that they have gathered over the years.

I have been forging regularly for a year. I was fortunate enough to acquire a great starter anvil and another larger and better condition anvil after I realized how much I enjoyed it. When I first started I forged to cool because my forge burner was weak. I didn't know any better so that's the way it went. As I continued forging and researching I was able to get a system that works for me pretty well.

My main question is how much is to much. When I try to forge down to as close as I can tapering the tang and a distal taper up front I was finding I did not have enough material to finish my taped tang on the grinder. I was getting unsatisfactory results. So I started leaving about half of where I wanted to be and grinding the rest and it has worked out great for me. I have not started doing hidden tangs yet because I am still learning how to do full tangs. Then when it came to the bevels when I try to go way down I have a hard time keeping it centered perfect so I started doing the same way as the tangs about half.

I am capable of forging a complete knife using just hammers and I suppose a file if I lived in those times .. But I live in modern times so I am just trying to refine myself and just wanted some input on how more established smiths are doing things. Are you forging 100 percent and a little clean up or about half way like me fully shaped just a little bigger and slightly do the bevels and about halfway on the distal and taper.

Thanks I know everyone is busy but if you have a minute maybe you can share.
 
I am not going to give you advice on forging as I need more work on that myself. I put aside forging to concentrate on stock removal for awhile. But my advice is to search You Tube for forging videos. There are plenty that show great technique. Also check the video stickies on this site. There may be good stuff there as well. Also, go to the knifemaking supply websites and order a video or two that deals with forging. And lastly, take a forging class. There is an ABS mastersmith in upstate NY (Pine Plains) who can help you. He is pretty much directly West from you. Link below.



http://www.szilaski.com/knifemaking-school/
 
Thanks for the link. But I forgot about the ABS Forum I just was over there . That's the place for this topic I suppose.
 
I forge to shape the steel, and grind to shape the knife. The basics are all forged, bevel/taper/ricasso/etc, but not finely detailed. No matter how good your hammer hand is, it will never give a flat bevel or taper like a belt grinder with a 36 grit belt can.
 
I hear you on that Stacy.. Because I have only been forging about a year I probably only have about 50 knives under my belt on the forging side of things. I wanted to get a feel on what other guys do . I was just trying to get a discussion going over here but it seems as though not many are forging anymore on this forum or are bashful and do not want to share.
 
I am extremely fresh at forging, 2 knives and a katana sword. And I must admit, it's not that difficult for me. I beat out the shape, and refine with grinder. I keep thinking there is gonna be some huge thing that I'm missing, but it all has worked out just fine so far.

Even the katana was uneventful, and came out looking really good. I do leave enough to refine with the grinder, and am also careful about errant hammer blows. I've spent numerous hours on the study of metallurgy, and have been practicing the things I've learned, so hands on really drives home what I've been reading.

My advice, hammer away!
 
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