hamon ?

K

Keith Willis

Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Messages
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I have read Staceys thread on hamons,as well as as others in the search,and think i may be ready to give it a try.Can someone tell me where to get high temp clay,or fireplace motar,(maybe the hardware store or something)?Thanks for any help.
Keith
 
I use Satanite now [from Darren Ellis], but have used furnace cement in the past. Available at True Value hardware stores, Lowes, HomeDepot.
 
You're welcome :thumbup::thumbup: Have fun! If ya find it thick or lumpy,mix a little bit [enough for your project] with just a few drops of water. Clean your blade well before applying.
 
I have a bucket of fireplace cement from home depot that I have been using with good results. The problem you may have is that home depot does not have the fireplace cement during the summer. I guess they consider it a winter item. I also give the blades a quick spray with carb cleaner before putting the stuff on. Make sure you dont touch the blade between the carb cleaner treatment and applying the cement.
 
I use satanite which works very well and I believe most of the online knifemaking stores carry it now as well as Darren of course. Sounds like Darren may be back in business soon which is a good thing!

I've never tried the furnace cement but I've been meaning to try mixing my own clay, I have fireclay and plenty of charcoal to grind up and I also have some pottery grog which may work to prevent shrinkage. Even have tons of natural deposits of sticky red clay here too. Of course I have the satanite which is near about perfect so I'm not sure why I want to experiment.

Meant to add that you need to look for companies that specialize in building or replacing furnaces or supplies for same, which is where I bought two fifty lb. bags of satanite years ago as well as a case of soft firebricks. Ground up soft firebricks can be a clay component as well.
 
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I use local natural clay. Its a bit picky to work with but it works well and when used properly you have to scrape it off the blade after heat treat using a knife or similar item. Even with a knife it doesn't like coming off.

If your in a jam I'll send ya some clay but I think Darren Ellis is selling again, at least that's what it looked like on his web site...
 
Walter Sorrels has an excellent dvd on producing hamons,it will take away most of the learning curve.
 
Thanks for the help and advice guys,hey Dan thanks for the offer,i called the hardware store,they say they have the fireplace cement,i'll check tomorrow.Hey Mc.where can i get the dvd?
Thanks again,Keith
 
I believe Walter has a link at his site,if not I think its a Center Cross production.
 
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