Help with first knives

T

thatotherguy

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Oct 9, 2011
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I'm looking to get into forging as a hobby, and want to try my hand with some simple blades beore I invest a lot in supplies. I'm thinking about making a small forged khukri out of a lawn mower blade. Can I make a primitive, but workable, forge with a standard wood fire, piece of railroad track, 3 pound hand sledge, vice grips, and some time?
What quenches do you recommend? I have heard some good things about air quenching and many others but I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Thanks in advance!
 
You will not get forging temps with a wood fire. A railroad track will make a fine starter anvil. Mount it on a big stump sized piece of wood or make a wooden base from 4x4's or 6x6's. It will provide a solid base and help with vibration.
 
You can get yourself some fire bricks to make a small oven. A small 1 brick forge? You can make a powerful Venturi burner for $15-$20. Is this your first knife? Does it have to be forged? You can start with a stock removal to get a feel of things?
 
It is my first homemade knife, it doesn't have to be forged, and I may try stock removal. Thanks for the idea!
 
thank you so much!
Only one question- For a stick tang instead of drilling holes through it for the epoxy to pool in can I cut half-circle type cuts in the sides of the tang?
I'm thinking like a bigger version of jimping on both the spine and edge sides of the tang, to hold the epoxy.
 
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