getting into knife making looking for advice about forges. and getting started.

M

moraldilemma666

Joined
Mar 15, 2013
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currently looking at two burner forge from majestic. have some 1084 and micarta on the way for a start. Not my first time forging a knife but will be my first time doing stock removal. used to use a coal forge but dont have a place to use it and never got into heat treating beyond quench and temper by look/ color of the steel. was done when I was much younger. would like to make a go at knife making with hand tools for a start/ minimal power tools. meaning no belt grinder... so mostly files and a hacksaw and a drill. trying to keep cost down for a start. any and all suggestions will be appreciated. I have done my research on HT and temps and tempering. had looked into a ht oven but to get in the door its almost 700$. just wasnt sure I could justify that cost. is it really necessary for a quality HT? Ive never really had problems before. Thanks all and hope to hear your input.
 
Welcome to shop talk.

Start by filling out your profile. Someone might be right in your neighborhood that can help you....if we know where you are and a bit about you.

"The Count" will chime in soon with his list of info. Read all that, it will answer 99% of your questions.

In the stickys, and in the count's info, there is a tutorial with How to instructions for making a knife. It is designed for hand tools only.

A Majestic forge will work OK, but a forge with a cylindrical chamber and the burners at a tangent will have much more even heat. The main problem with a Majestic, and similar designs, is the burners shoot straight down on the bottom. This makes two really hot spots. For basic forging that is OK, but it is really bad for HT.
 
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Thanks for the response. I have read a few places about burner placement ant forge shape/ hot spots. just was wondering if there is a way to get a reliable HT with a forge for basic carbon/ and or tool steels. Thanks for mentioning the stickies I have read some of them but not all and will be taking some time to read through them.
 
For basic carbon steels, a forge does fine for HT. It takes some experience to know when the steel is at the right temperature, but once it is learned, you can do these steels easily. I have several HT ovens, but usually do simple Damascus and 1075-1095 HT in the forge. A magnet is suitable to get started with 1084 HT. You just heat the steel about 50F hotter than the point where the magnet stops sticking to the steel.
 
As for location I am in Northern NY/ Champlain valley. Didn't think to say location. Work full time and have always had a pension for making my own things if I can. I would like to eventually produce knives of the same quality as some of the great ones I have seen here lurking the forums. Thanks again, Also read your Sticky/ how to and it has more solid information than I have been able to find through general searches... must have typed the wrong questions.
 
There is a group called the New England Bladesmiths Guild up in your area. There are some other groups, too. They hold hammer-ins and seminars several times a year. There is a school of bladesmithing over in Auburn, Maine.
Every fall, some of the best makers in the country meet in Ashokan for a three day seminar on metallurgy and knifemaking. It is straight down I-87 from you, just a bit past Albany.
 
I haven't dipped my toes into forging or HT myself, but I have been eyeing the Atlas mini forge that one of our awesome members is marketing in the knifemaker tools exchange. You might like to check that out as it is quite affordable.

A grinder is really nice to have, but a lot of us agree that most should make their first few with files and maybe a small grinder for nice finishing. Really locks you in about how much you might love it, spending the time by hand. When you do decide on a grinder, which you will most likely one day, there is a lot of good advice to be had here on the forums.

Welcome, and good luck on your journey!
 
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I just got the atlas mini forge from atlas knife company, it does extremely well, other than propane and putting the burner and tool rest in, just connect the propane and you are good to go. in 20 minutes after mine arrived I had a rr spike forged into a blade, and that includes setup too. plainly said, unless you do very large knives it will do a very nice job. the chamber I think is 2.5 10.5. heck Charles even made the base in a way that doubles as a place to store stuff. I would rate it at an easy 10 out of 10. on another note heat is no problem a 20 psi regulator is in the pkg. 255 for the entire setup and its a plus because it is entirely firebrick lined,not the fiber insulation like most forges. pretty much ready to go out of the box. if you buy one you wouldn't regret it. Charles will be glad to answer any question you have about it, I wouldn't take what I paid for mine for it right now. I could get one at the same price but would have to wait to get it here 2 more days.
 
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