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Jarren

Joined
Apr 25, 2016
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Came across this site a few days ago and have been lurking around some since, so I decided it was time to join. I'm wanting to try my hand at blade smithing and I'm trying to soak up as much info as possible before I jump in.
A little about myself. I'm a watchmaker from Louisiana, I'm hoping the patience I've had to
learn to work on watches will transfer over to knives. This will just be a hobby for me as I spend my most my free time during spring and summer fishing and competing in various cook offs and my winters hunting. I'm looking forward to learning a new trade and getting my tools together. Now to just try and decide if I want to go the forge route to start or with the stock removal process?

Hoping this is the right spot to
Post this if not please move to the necessary sub. Thanks


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Welcome Jarren,
Fill out your profile so we know a bit about you and your location. The Stickys are full of good info. If there is a local maker in your area, you should go meet him and strike up a relationship.

Wish you were here. I am going to need a new watchmaker, as the one I have had for 40 years is not well. As you well know they are a dying breed ( literally in his case).
 
Stock removal is easier to get in to. Less investement to start.
You might already have everything you need at home.
A hacksaw, files, sandpaper and a solid clamp or vice is all you need.
A drillpress will come in handy but can be done without
 
I have most of what I need for stock removal, but the forging aspect is kind of what drew me in. The only thing I worry about with the forging is after talking with another watchmaker he brought up that pounding away with heavier hammers could affect my hand dexterity over time.


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I have 40 years as a jeweler ( I used to do watch repair, too) and maybe as a forger during the past twenty. It will affect you if you don't take care of your hands/arms and avoid overuse. Watchmakers and jewelers probably have more worry about injuring their fingers and hands in an accident with a grinder or a sharp knife. Our tactile sense and dexterity is greatly diminished by bandages and sutures, :)
 
Tell me about it a splinter in pretty much any finger throws me way off! lol My boss did express a deep concern for me using the grinder and belt sanders on a sharp knife. What's funny is of the three watchmakers we had in the store at one time I am the only one will a full set of digits. One has half and pinky missing and the other had only half of his middle and ring finger and pinky almost completely gone.


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Welcome to the group Jared. You'll find a wealth of information here as you've probably already realized. You'll also find that the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know. The pursuit of knowledge is a wonderful thing! :)
 
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