Hey guys,
I don't post much here, and so far all my posts have had to do with how to HT scrap steels, or how to HT in general. And of course, I got the usual answer: buy known steel, save yourself the huge hassle. I'm convinced that that is the most efficient way to learn, and everyone who recommends this is truly trying to help the aspiring knifemaker.
But a little while ago I (finally) successfully heat treated a blade forged from a file, quenched in corn oil. I couldn't be happier. And since I've got a ton of them lying around, I'm going to keep it up.
My point is, how about a separate forum, or sub-forum, for people who make knives out of scrap, or primitive style knifemaking. It seems there are plenty of us who are interested, it would be cool if we could have a place where we can really discuss this stuff and try to get it figured out. This way people can help each other out without starting a big debate. Also, those interested in working with scrap can field the usual "can i make a sword out of rebar" questions, and everyone else can stop wasting their breath trying to convince a newbie that they're heading in the wrong direction.
Those who are serious about knifemaking, or do it for a living, belong in a separate category than those who want to make knives for fun out of old farm equipment they found in their grandfather's garage. This forum is incredible because it allows the latter to directly access and communicate with the best knifemakers in the world, but sometimes that doesn't workout well for either party. There ought to be a place on this forum where questions about scrap steel can be taken more seriously by those who are actually interested in this method, and maybe some progress can be made.
There could be tutorials on how to find the best kind of scrap, what works and doesn't, how to build a junk forge, and the other 50$ knife shop kind of stuff. Also, pictures of finished knives and newbie projects.
So what do you think?
If nothing else, at least it will get us out of your hair...
Thanks -Andy
I don't post much here, and so far all my posts have had to do with how to HT scrap steels, or how to HT in general. And of course, I got the usual answer: buy known steel, save yourself the huge hassle. I'm convinced that that is the most efficient way to learn, and everyone who recommends this is truly trying to help the aspiring knifemaker.
But a little while ago I (finally) successfully heat treated a blade forged from a file, quenched in corn oil. I couldn't be happier. And since I've got a ton of them lying around, I'm going to keep it up.
My point is, how about a separate forum, or sub-forum, for people who make knives out of scrap, or primitive style knifemaking. It seems there are plenty of us who are interested, it would be cool if we could have a place where we can really discuss this stuff and try to get it figured out. This way people can help each other out without starting a big debate. Also, those interested in working with scrap can field the usual "can i make a sword out of rebar" questions, and everyone else can stop wasting their breath trying to convince a newbie that they're heading in the wrong direction.
Those who are serious about knifemaking, or do it for a living, belong in a separate category than those who want to make knives for fun out of old farm equipment they found in their grandfather's garage. This forum is incredible because it allows the latter to directly access and communicate with the best knifemakers in the world, but sometimes that doesn't workout well for either party. There ought to be a place on this forum where questions about scrap steel can be taken more seriously by those who are actually interested in this method, and maybe some progress can be made.
There could be tutorials on how to find the best kind of scrap, what works and doesn't, how to build a junk forge, and the other 50$ knife shop kind of stuff. Also, pictures of finished knives and newbie projects.
So what do you think?
If nothing else, at least it will get us out of your hair...
Thanks -Andy
