Newbie Peening Question

R

Randydb

Joined
Sep 27, 2014
Messages
1,108
Hi,
I just completed a damascus skinning knife with 1095 and 15N20. Basically I just added a handle. I found a small cedar burl on our property that I cut the scales from. Looks nice with some very interesting rays in it. I can't post attachments so I haven't put any pictures of it up here. I am guessing that I need to make a certain number of posts before I am able to add pictures.

So this is probably a stupid question...but at what point to you peen? And how do you peen without putting marks in your scales?

I hand carved the handle down to the point where it was very close to the finished shape and then trimmed my brass pins to the surface of the scale. Then peened them but it left marks in my scales that went deeper than I wanted and it took a fair bit of work to get them out and looking nice.
I hit lightly and tried to be accurate, but? Any tricks you can share would be appreciated. I am guessing that I needed to leave the pins a bit long?

You can see a picture of it here at my facebook account
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...00483017.1073741825.1548043845&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...00483017.1073741825.1548043845&type=3&theater
Thanks
Randy
 
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I bet there are as many different ways to set pins as there are makers. In the end it's only the results that matter. You have a sweet knife there and are obviously on a solid track. My only suggestions would be to practice more than you read at this point. You will discover the tools and the way that is right for you, in your shop, soon enough.

There are few rules that apply in every case. Maybe the idea of cutting your material one pin diameter longer than is actually required might make that list. There are too many other variables to say much else of value.

Here's a related link with some other stuff to think about:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...mers-pins-and-peening?p=13047345#post13047345

Best to you.
 
That thread by arron you suggested was gold! A bunch of things were answered for me. One of my problems was that I was trying to use the round end of my peen hammer! Also needed to leave a bit more of the pin exposed to begin with. I was already gluing them in place when I glued on the scales. But I will be rounding one end of them before I put them in like the video Marc posted for me. I am realizing that there are so many ways to do things and I need to find my own way. It's a double edged sword...information can help make things easier, but it also can get to be so overwhelming that it becomes confusing.

Andy, your suggestion about practicing more than I read made me laugh. I asked so many questions when I was getting ready to build my first flute that a number of members told me to quit talking and start cutting and drilling. The worst I would make is firewood and the experience would make me a better builder in the long run. Turned out to be good advice and I am a reasonable builder now.
Thanks for the help.
 
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