Need help on forges

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grussingcustomknives

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Oct 22, 2015
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I acidently posted in the wrong area so i post here thanks in advance! Hey im back at it with another post. I am wondering if I should buy a propane Forge or build one. I looked online and on forms there are a lot of mixed opinions. If I were to build one I would probably do a forced air burner forge because of the simplicity and heat. I looked up forges and I like the diamondback two burner knife maker/welder Forge but it looks like it would have a chimney effect and since the gas is not swirling it would heat unevenly. I would use the forge to make Damascus, heat treat and sometimes forge stuff. It seems like the gas swirl effect would be hard to create (to get the right position it to do that). Does anybody have any advice on whether I should buy or build a Forge and any tips to go along with anything I asked.
Thanks and I'm sorry if siri screwed any thing up with the voice to text feature.
 
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If you want one to weld in I'd suggest a vertical forge that has a blower. Not all forges are meant to do everything very well. A Damascus welding forge might have a hard time running at 1500*, mine does. That's why we all usually end up with several different ones. I have 3 and am still looking to change things with the new one in progress.
 
I'm going to give you some good advice. Whether you take it is up to you.

In October of last year you were having trouble with your flat grinds. In December you were still working on the same problem and the same knife.
Then you were having problems with your custom makers mark. Now you are building a forge for damascus and HT ( which are hard to do well in the same forge).

I suggest you build a small regular forge and learn HT and basic forging. Continue to work on your grinding and finishing of knives. Post some photos of finished knives for the folks here to see.

After that you can decide if damascus is in your future. A damascus forge and the necessary equipment to make damascus is a whole separate realm.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I'm going to give you some good advice. Whether you take it is up to you.

In October of last year you were having trouble with your flat grinds. In December you were still working on the same problem and the same knife.
Then you were having problems with your custom makers mark. Now you are building a forge for damascus and HT ( which are hard to do well in the same forge).

I suggest you build a small regular forge and learn HT and basic forging. Continue to work on your grinding and finishing of knives. Post some photos of finished knives for the folks here to see.

After that you can decide if damascus is in your future. A damascus forge and the necessary equipment to make damascus is a whole separate realm.
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Thanks for the advice i pretty much figured out grinding and the makers mark I figured out (u can't really mark on acid stonewash blades so i etch now) and I forgot to say i have a forge that can get to heat treating temps so this forge will be mostly for Damascus and forging (I like the t burner design)

I just posted some pics of a knife I recently finished up!
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Definitely buy one, my kids need back to school clothes :)

Getting a proper swirl isn't that tough, I've literally made hundreds that swirl with no problem. Still, there are some manufacturers that don't bother to make the slight modifications needed and still market them as knifemaker forges.

I'd recommend you start with simple san-mai, dry-welded. It's pretty simple, requires a minimal amount of equipment, and really looks nice. It's also a great way to learn setting welds on the anvil and is significantly cheaper than damascus.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
Definitely buy one, my kids need back to school clothes :)

Getting a proper swirl isn't that tough, I've literally made hundreds that swirl with no problem. Still, there are some manufacturers that don't bother to make the slight modifications needed and still market them as knifemaker forges.

I'd recommend you start with simple san-mai, dry-welded. It's pretty simple, requires a minimal amount of equipment, and really looks nice. It's also a great way to learn setting welds on the anvil and is significantly cheaper than damascus.
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I don't really have alot of money for a forge because i just bought a miller 211 welder and i dont have a job besides selling some knives (im 14 years old) so i was hoping to make a forge save some money and gain some forge knowledge


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Atlas Knife Company said:
Definitely buy one, my kids need back to school clothes :)

Getting a proper swirl isn't that tough, I've literally made hundreds that swirl with no problem. Still, there are some manufacturers that don't bother to make the slight modifications needed and still market them as knifemaker forges.

I'd recommend you start with simple san-mai, dry-welded. It's pretty simple, requires a minimal amount of equipment, and really looks nice. It's also a great way to learn setting welds on the anvil and is significantly cheaper than damascus.
Click to expand...

Are you going to the knife dogs hammer in? I am!


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Nah, can't make it, too much stuff going on that weekend. I'm having a new building built and they should be pouring the concrete then. You'll have fun, Tracy puts on a hell of a hammer-in. It's a high bar that almost no one else matches.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
Nah, can't make it, too much stuff going on that weekend. I'm having a new building built and they should be pouring the concrete then. You'll have fun, Tracy puts on a hell of a hammer-in. It's a high bar that almost no one else matches.
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Yea ever since i saw videos of it from last year i wanted to go! Gonna be great!


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Have fun, Read lots. Work on your knives ... leave damascus and san-mai as well as buying/making welding forges for a few years down the road.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Have fun, Read lots. Work on your knives ... leave damascus and san-mai as well as buying/making welding forges for a few years down the road.
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Yeah i read alot talked too frosty... And got mike porters book. In a couple years ill be in college lol. Btw im going to the knife dogs hammer in. Ur the guy that hosts it right?


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Tracy Mickley hosts it up in Mankato, MN. He just moved to a new 10k square foot building and should have plenty of room. He's got lots of toys to play with and I think you get 20% off supplies while you're there.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
Tracy Mickley hosts it up in Mankato, MN. He just moved to a new 10k square foot building and should have plenty of room. He's got lots of toys to play with and I think you get 20% off supplies while you're there.
Click to expand...

Sweet! I live in Minnesota so it's not a far drive (or my dad wouldn't let me go). And yea i saw the pictures on Instagram (of the new building)its gonna be awesome


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