Question to Power Hammer Owners

[Dennis Paish]

Greetings.
Recently I purchased an excellent shape 50# Canadian Giant Power hammer that has been rebuilt.

Picture located here:
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u211/dpaish/?action=view&current=TripHammer-Email1.jpg

Unfortunately it did not come with any dies. I am in the process of finishing (thanks Jim) my 50 ton press, rolling mill and forge soon. My best guess that I will someday learn to forge knives on the Power Hammer as I would primary use the press and rolling mill for Damascus.

QUESTION: What dies are most common of forging knives. I guess there are 3 choices....

1. Drawing
2. Flat
3. combo Flat and Drawings

Your advise is welcome.

Dennis

 

[IUKE12]

Dennis, you'd probably get a better response to your question in the knife maker or shop talk forums.

 

[RMLamey]

I would get a pair of flats and then put what ever crown you want on them. Personally I think a very mild drawing die works the best for general bladesmithing. Basically take a pair of flats contour the edges and put a VERY SLIGHT crown on them.

The problem with combo dies on a small hammer like that is there is not enough surface on each side to really take advantage of the "combination".

What ever you choose be sure and spend the extra time to shim the dies so they are completely true and square, this makes a HUGE difference if you are going to forge very close to final shape and pull that edge down thin etc....