How do I "carve" iron? A question from someone who knows nothing.

Truelove

Truelove

Joined
Aug 16, 2005
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149
I am completely out of my depth, but here goes:
I would like to take a piece of metal and "carve" a figure -- maybe a head or fist or totem -- from it to be the butt of a knife. How do you do it? What iron / tools do you use? Are there any resource which demonstrate technique?

Am I completely nuts?
Thanks for any and all help!
 
I don't know much, but I think most figures are cast, which involves carving the figure in a softer medium, such as clay, then creating a negative of this carving, which is then filled with molten metal, thus creating the figure. Not sure anyone "carves" iron or steel, excepting engraving, inlays, etc. :thumbup:
 
You could do it hot - blacksmiths forge figures often.
Cold could be done with small grinders like dremel or Fordum.
As already mentioned casting is done also.
 
In the renaissance it was done with small metal chisels and gravers
I still do it that way

_page
 
The totem like things you mention are often forged by blacksmiths with self made punches and chisels. Heads of animals such as wolves, bears, horses and rams are popular. Dragons and wizards are too. There are many tutorials in print and on the net such as: http://www.artmetal.com/blog/gerald_boggs/2009/02/forged_animal_heads. I'm sure you could turn up more info.

There are some mighty amazing carved and sculpted blades, handles and knives out there. They're often referred to as art knives. Most of which will never see an honest moments work as a knife, but they sure are cool to look at! David Darom's book, Custom Fixed-Blade Knives has photos of many. The annual book Knives always has some too, more so (it seems) in recent editions.

Good luck, and keep us posted!
 
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