My hat is off to you steel pounders!

Danbo

Danbo

Joined
Nov 28, 1999
Messages
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Some of you may know that I am a beginner/hobbyist knifemaker in the stock removal mode only. Well, this weekend I decided to visit a friend of mine who owns a nice 3 burner gas forge. He was willing to let me smack on some steel and give me some pointers. I even went out and bought my own forging hammer. I grabbed a piece of L6 steel, let it get up to the proper color and started to smack. Maybe it was my choice of steel, or the thickness of the piece( 1" x .5" x 6"), or maybe I am just a wimp, but that steel did not want to move much for me. I did manage to get it longer and somewhat flatter, until my arm gave out on me, but it in no way looks like a knife blade! I dont know when I will get a chance to finish that project, but I can tell you it wont be until I get my arm in a little better shape. So, my hat is off to all you bladesmiths. I will stick to precision ground flat bar stock for a while.
 
Don't feel bad, that was some pretty hefty stock you started with. It's also been my experience that L6 is pretty hard to move under the hammer though I've had people say the opposite, but I've also had people tell me that 5160 is hard to forge. I'm still learning myself but I've forged L6, 1084 and 5160 and the 5160 is by far the easiest to forge of the lot.
 
Hey Danbo,

Sorry to hear you are not a forging convert!:) Don't worry us forgers will continue to work on you!

Craig
 
Yeah, you had better watch it Craig. :) You have to remember that you are still within driving distance. Probably the last thing you want is for me to show up every weekend!
 
Originally posted by C-Camerer
Hey Danbo,

Sorry to hear you are not a forging convert!:) Don't worry us forgers will continue to work on you!

Craig
Click to expand...

To heck with converting you. Just keep ordering them from me. ;)

But seriously, it is an eye-opening experience isn't it? We've all been there. It either doesn't want to move, or it wants move every direction except the direction you want it to go. Even when you get the hang of it, it's a constant series of tweaks and adjustments, fixing kinks and twists, re-straightening, etc.

Let me share an amusing anecdote from ABS Mastersmith, Jim Crowell. Some years ago, Jimmy was talking to Bill Moran, and said, "You know, I think I'm just about to get the hang of this forging thing, but I still have a heck of a time keeping the darn thing straight". Jimmy said he was expecting some pearls of wisdom from the "old Master". But Bill's reply was simply, "Yeah, me too". :D

Hang in there bro. Keep trying. Take baby steps. Start out with a 3" - 4" drop point hunter. Gradually work your way up to those 12" Bowies. It's a very rewarding experience eventually. And you get to do two things that your mama never wanted you to do when you were a kid -- get dirty, and play with fire. :D
 
I'll tell you what you did wrong. You tried to make it into a knife. Each piece of steel has it's own mind. It knows what it wnats to be. You just help it. If it doesn't like you, it becomes a lump.:D
 
I didnt even get the steel close to resembling a knife! I will finish the project though. It just will take a lot longer than I thought. Today, my arm feels like it went through a hydraulic press.
 
Way to give it a shot....At least you are trying with the forge and hammer.When I first started it took me hours to forge a small skinner.But you learn with experience and time.Just keep trying,You will eventually build your arms up strong enough to forge all day and not even think about it.:cool:
Maybe you might try a thinner smaller piece of steel the next time and then come bak to that thick bar.To me L6 or 5160 or any of the 10 series all move fine under the hammer.That could be because I am now using a 50 little giant power hammer to do allot of the heavey hitting;)
Great to hear you tried and aren't giving up.
Good Luck..
Bruce
 
Anytime you want to come up and forge feel free! How did the heat treat come out on the blade you were telling me about?
 
Danbo: Welcome to the world of the forged blade. Soon you will come to know the forging as an opportunity rather than a challenge. It then grows on you until you love every moment, plan every hit of the hammer and simply enjoy the vorage.
 
Danbo,
Just wait until you try and forge round bar down by hand! :D Like 5/8" and 3/4". I felt massive discouragement the first time I attempting forging (and it was flat bar 1/4") and it was almost a year later until I tried again. That time I loved it! I somehow found an appreciation for it. I found a rythem and it became so fun! It is still tough work and will wear you out, but you will find your bodying adjusting. So, here I am today with a real anvil and all! :D Below is me enjoying what I love most (heat color is actually higher, just the pic)...

-Jason
 

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It gets easier. Just keep at it. Did you ever wonder why forgers have a certain air about them? You know; that glassy eyed, big grin look that means "if I was smarter I would've found something easier". And after a while you will develop your physique; one arm will look like Popeye and one arm will look like Olive Oil. mw
 
I think part of the problem was that I had watched Big John Fitch forge out a blade or two. That boy makes it look easy!
 
Well No wonder:D
Big Jim IS a Power Hammer Himself;) If he smashes steel anything like he chops 2X4's then he can do a blade pretty quick.
Agter you get that first blade forged out you will get the hang of it and then never turn back:cool:
Bruce
 
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