Long range project

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
I just went through about a 2 month period where I just didn't feel like forging any blades which is something I normally don't have an issue with. I've had a fellow interested in one of my larger than normal blades for a couple months now so maybe that was the reason I didn't feel like forging. Wednesday while I was out in the shop spinning my wheels the urge to light up the forge came to mind. I decided to lite up the forge and see if I had it in me to forge out this huge blade. I made a little bit of headway on it Wednesday and on Thursday I forged it till it looked like it is in the first picture. The crown in the picture will become its handle. I forged about another hour on it this morning. I'm planning on getting it ground and possibly heat treated today.

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i think it's gonna be cool when your done.

as a bass player sometimes i go through those times where i just dont want to bother with it.... embrace it! often when i come back it's just better, more fun and more creative etc.

great looking blade..... good skills

jake
 
Another monster eh Ray? Looking Good! I was glad to see I'm beginning to get a sense of your process, since I was able to anticipate the blade's shape change from one photo to the next. The only thing that could be better would be to hang out in your shop for a while to watch it happen real time. Ah well, good thing you take all these photos!

When do we get to see the grinding shots?
 
ddavelarsen said:
Another monster eh Ray? Looking Good! I was glad to see I'm beginning to get a sense of your process, since I was able to anticipate the blade's shape change from one photo to the next. The only thing that could be better would be to hang out in your shop for a while to watch it happen real time. Ah well, good thing you take all these photos!

When do we get to see the grinding shots?
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Dave, If you came in my shop you would be lost forever. :D

I did finally get it rough ground and heat treated. I still need to grind the false edge. I had a heck of a time heat treating it mainly because the first two tries I was thinking it was W-2. After the second unsuccessful try I realized it was 52100. I had several piece of 52100 and W-2 forged out to more usable sizes and didn't mark which was which thinking all I had to do was spark it and I'd know. Turns out the spark looked the same and then I just guessed. I won't make that mistake again. Unless I forget. :D
 
Ray,

I appreciate your straight forward down-home approach to making knives. That includes your unassuming candor in sharing even the funky details like not marking blades with steel type...or crawling 10 feet in the snow and ice to be able to stand back up after taking a dump on your keister. You're good folks Ray. Thanks for taking all the photos throughout the years and helping to make this forum such an great place of learning and fellowship!

All the best, Phil
 
Wow Ray ---- that one is going to be amazing! Can't wait to see it finished up...
 
I'm finally back on track with this blade. I managed to correct the last problem I was having without breaking the blade or cutting it in half. As soon as I build up the energy I'll start the first hand rub. This blade is a 1/4" shy of 16".

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Now that is wicked. I like the first profile better but this one is almost as good!
 
TekSec said:
Now that is wicked. I like the first profile better but this one is almost as good!
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The profile really isn't to much different from the forging. I'm thinking this is what the customer wants. :D I'm still building up energy to start doing the hand rub.
 
Yea, the only difference I see is a little more belly on the rough forge blank but that's still gonna be one helluva sanding job! Good luck!
 
Looking good Ray; that's got all that mean pointiness we've come to know and love. Your customer is doubtless watching this with glee. Lucky guy! I'm looking forward to the handle pics next, just to see how you balance that long thing out. ;) So take yer vitamins and get rubbing soon! Thanks for sharing this one Ray. Have a great week.
 
ddavelarsen said:
Looking good Ray; that's got all that mean pointiness we've come to know and love. Your customer is doubtless watching this with glee. Lucky guy! I'm looking forward to the handle pics next, just to see how you balance that long thing out. ;) So take yer vitamins and get rubbing soon! Thanks for sharing this one Ray. Have a great week.
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Dave, I just came in for more vitamins. I've got the blade pretty well rubbed out on one side and its almost there on the other. There's a pretty decent hamon even with the steel being 52100. I knew it was there. I just had to dig deeper. :D I'll take another picture later today.
 
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