My first wack at forging

[Bologna Xpress]

Well since the new baby is being so good I decided today would be a great day to try and forge a couple blades. A freind of mine works for the railroad and hooked me up with a truck load of HC RR Spikes. I figured these would be good practice.

Here is what I started with

Here is what I ended with

What do you think for my first attempt?

The one will be scalless just sanded up and shaped a little
and the other will be a full tang with some kinda cool MyScarta

SRF

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I'll let you know what I think of them when they are finished. I'm sure you know not to expect too much out of RR spikes as far as hardness is concerned.

 

[Bologna Xpress]

These guys were for practice with the hammer. I have a few more spikes to practice with before I start using my 5160 I have stacked in the barn. Also have a bunch of old files I am going to beat on.

I love the pain in my forearm !!

SRF

 

[scottickes]

The forging looks nice and clean. I would, however, take a look at the $50 knife shop book by Wayne Goddard. There is a section in his book on preforms. You can forge in the preform and then when you forge the tips in, they won't turn so drastically upwards. Just a suggestion.

 

[Bologna Xpress]

The forging looks nice and clean. I would, however, take a look at the $50 knife shop book by Wayne Goddard. There is a section in his book on preforms. You can forge in the preform and then when you forge the tips in, they won't turn so drastically upwards. Just a suggestion.

Thanks for the comments. I have read that book. I think because the material was so thick I did not get enough of a banana shape when starting. The one on the right I wanted the up sweep. It is going to be a replica,with a modern flare, of a WV Rail Road workers knife that is at the Historical Society here in Martinsburg. The other one I think with a little grinding will come out ok. We will see over the next few days.

SRF