From Bearing to Bowie - a Knife by Stuart Branson

Superb looking knife.:cool:

I can't believe it was forged out by hand!:eek:

I'm sure that anyone who's forged out a ball bearing (let alone one that big!)will agree with me just how little they move under the hammer.

Very impressive indeed.:thumbup:

Ian
 
That knife is well thought out and executed. As some know, I'm a fan of knives with hard use in mind. This one looks tougher than nails while have that rugged beauty that needs no explanation. Congratulations to both of you. Lin
 
Gorgeous and a very Useable blade!! Love this one and Stuart's knives are on my short list of makers right now. Hopefully in the very near future I'll be able to have one made or purchase myself. :thumbup:
 
It's great to see the progression Stuart. Excellent pics and video. Looking forward to the sheath.

Congrats Roger.
 
Totally awesome!!! :thumbup: :cool:

Stuart really has something... than intangible "it" that is really special. The fact he is so nice, humble, and unassuming makes it all the better. :)

Here I've been talking welders to Stuart, and what he clearly needs is a power hammer or press!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :D

Very very cool stuff Stuart and Roger!!! :cool: :thumbup: :)
 
Great job Stuart ! Can't wait to see the sheath for this beauty.
Congrats Roger !
Cheers
Shant
 
Very nice job, Stuart! I greatly enjoyed you sharing the process throughout. End results = :thumbup: Super!
Thanks,
David
 
Oh Man!!I've been an admirer of Ed Fowlers work for years.That blade done him proud!Superb craftsmanship Stuart,and congrats on a blade of a lifetime Roger!!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Oh Man!!I've been an admirer of Ed Fowlers work for years.That blade done him proud!Superb craftsmanship Stuart,and congrats on a blade of a lifetime Roger!!
 
Great looking knife! Forgive the stupid question but why such a large hammer? I take it a regular 4lb hammer would not be sufficient to smash that bearing flat?
 
Thanks to all for you comments - and to Stuart for all his hard work - and VERY good work - on this piece.

Kohai999 said:
That is one of the finest knives I have ever seen of the genre....all the beauty inspired by The Master, with the additions of some thoughtful material choices result in aesthetic bliss, and hopefully, exceptional performance.
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Definitley one of my all-time Fowler-style favs.:thumbup:

Buffalohump said:
Great looking knife! Forgive the stupid question but why such a large hammer? I take it a regular 4lb hammer would not be sufficient to smash that bearing flat?
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You got it right - just check the video of Stuart swinging that big hammer two-handed and see what little impression that makes on the bearing. In terms of effort, this bears NO relationship whatsoever to forging a little hunter out of a flat bar stock. I think sheer determination is what ultimately moved this steel.

And I suspect Stuart is asking Santa for a power hammer or a press to be left under the tree next year. Or sooner. Much, much sooner. :)

Roger
 
That is all kinds of awesome...

that video makes my arms hurt just watching it...you need some helpers
 
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and to Roger for all your support.

Regarding the hammer.. The 20lb'er with one hand was a joke but as Roger said, even with the 20lb'er and my wife helping, progress was very slow. Later on I tried a 12 lb and the extra velocity really helped. It all turned into a game for me of speed vs force vs mass... The lighter the hammer, the easier it is to control and the more strikes I could get before tiring.. The 12lb hammer moved steel quicker than the 20lb hammer because I could swing it harder and about 50-60 hits before tiring whereas with the 20lb, I was only hitting about 30 hits in the same amount of time and with less "oomph."
As only about 10% of the forging was done with my wife's help due to 2 kids needing supervision I wondered the same between my 4 1/2lb hammer and my 2 1/2" hammer.
I found that the weight was good for single marking blows and tang work but really the extra speed and number of hits with the lighter hammer worked out to about the same steel moved per heating cycle... But it's good to have lots of hammers. :) Watching Ed, in his video, forge from a bearing to a billet in about 10 minutes under a 150lb hammer sure had me envious though. :p

As far as determination... you're right Roger, I set myself this task to do it by hand and after the 3rd session of pounding I almost called the local blacksmith to rent some time with his power hammer but I couldn't cheat like that. Maybe it was something like Lorien and his bucket of steel dust. :D
 
:D:thumbup:
 
SBranson said:
And here's that video of my wife helping while I swing the 20lb'er.
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Oh, man you've got it all wrong. The smith holds the workpiece while the helper swings the hammer! :D :D :foot:

I can't do any more than echo the sentiments already expressed. That is one heck of a sweet bowie. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
Here's the sheath. I know what I think ( :D ). What do you think?

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Roger
 
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