Pound or grind?

M

Mungo Park

Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
337
I have only made some kits up to now. I want to make a knife from scratch so I have done the following:
I have the kawool and propane burner to make the paint can forge, I just need to get the refractory cement whic I will get. I have a anvil and various sundry tools drill press and a bag of files and hammers. I have enough wood working tools to do the wood part.I have a 36X4 grinder which I am trying to firm up and get a smoother platen built. I have a piece of ATS 35 steel, which somebody will heat treat for me. I am hunting for some O1 to heat treat myself. I have the $50 knife shop book. My questions are:
Is it posible to forge the knife or do stock removal with the above tools? Which would be easier for somebody who has never done more than read how it is done. I do know the down side of the crapie grinder, So I an thinking it would be easire to heat and pound into shape and thus do less grinding? My problem is I do not know enough to not not even know what I do not know. So what way would you go with the above tools?
Cheers Ron.
 
It's always a personal choice, Ron. Your best bet is to visit with makers close by that do both and get them to teach you the basics. Be willing to compensate them for their time and materials (things do cost). You will learn more in a few hours of hands-on than you can teach yourself in a month. Most of the guys I know are more than willing to share and teach techniques as long as you don't "waste" a lot of their time. Be willing to travel a little and be flexible to their time schedule.

Hammer-ins are a great means of learning the forging/smithing techniques and for networking with other makers. Often these also include grinding demos and finishing techniques. Join the local Knife club. Manitoba's a ways out but is large enough to be the home of many blade makers. Just have to check around at the likey places: Hunting/Fishing stores, Leather Crafts shops, Sporting Clubs, etc. (you have to ask).

Just remember, to each his own, very few of us bladesmiths or stock-removal guys do everything the same way, but what we do works for us. You'll find most of us are always trying to find a better way or technique. This is what has brought the "custom knife" quality to the point it's at today.
Example: Mr. Ed Fowler and the JD Shaft Steel in the above thread. He is always striving for the ultimate in blade performance. (good read)

The tools you have listed give you the flexibility to go either direction or the means to combine the two, ie.-rough forge then grind to finish (more often done than admitted). You don't have to have the best tools to do good work, but you do have to have the desire and patiences. You can always upgrade as you progress in your skills developement.

I've done both and have resolved/committed myself to the addiction of forging (like to play with fire and hammers). It suits me but it's definitely not for everyone. It gives me the flexibility I need to express myself and experiment.

Either direction will require much research and study if you want to produce a blade that you can depend on and be proud of. Just be prepared to work and study hard as it is not an activity for the faint of heart or the "occasional" craftsman.
Do have fun.......it's one of the few addictions they don't put you in jail for (yet!).
Carl Rex
 
Thank you for the thoughtfull reply I am still sitting on the fence. I do have a lead on another knife maker and will try and contact him as I get my forge finished. I must say for some reason this town is somewhat void of knifemakers, or they just keep a low profile. The Canadian Knifemakers Guild has no listing in Manitoba! Oh well thanks again for the help.
Cheers Ron.
 
I find forging more flexible. I'm a farrier who got serious about blacksmithing and then became interested in knife smithing. To date, none of my knives could have been made by stock removal alone like knives made from coil springs. Pattern welded blades is another example although I guess you can buy blanks if your satisfied with that.

There are other pluses to being able to forge like being able to make many of your own tools and fixtures.

The down side (if you want to call it that) is that you have another skill set to learn. If I were to recommend a starter project for a new blacksmith it wouldn't be a blade although I'm sure many bladesmiths did just that.

Tools in general...Having the best tools would be great but I don't (at least for blade making). You can do a lot with files and sand paper. My own apprach has been to just start making knives. As I become dissatisfied with the tools I have, I'll get more but I'll know why I want/need it. The first blacksmithing was likely done with a charcoal fire on the ground and two rocks...one used as an anvil and another used as a hammer.
 
If you want to make something quick and easy from scratch. either way Stock
or forge can be achieved.

The main advantage I find with forging is the freedom to work outside the confines of available flat bar stock. Curved blades from flat stock are limitted.

I put a rams head on the end of my letter openers that is not posible by stock removal unless you have a huge bit of stock to start from.

I have tired to send you an email with my address on it if you want a how to make forged letter openers. They are quick and easy and good practice for your hammer skills before trying to get those recaso hits in the right spot.

I sold a dozen of these yesterday at the art gallery. They also make great gifts. You can have xmas all sown up in a few sessions.
 
Well, I'm no expert, but I've done both forging + grinding / gringind successfully. Grinding on its own is for me easier and quicker, but I find forged blades perform better. Results will very for different steels and HT methods, so I suggest you try both if you have the necessary equipment.
 
Remember the movie "Contact"? (Jodi Foster - how could we forget?). In the movie her Dad offered the advice "Small steps Sparks". That was my approach to the question. Either way you start, you'll be doing stock removal. My choice was to start with stock removal only - build some skill in that area first. That was about 6 years ago. I ordered the goodies for my paint can forge a couple weeks ago.

Sounds like you are already on that track by starting with kits. Welcome to the addiction. :)

Rob!
 
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