Question to those that forge

[melsdad]

A question for those of you that forge knives out of round bar. I can get various sizes of bar ends in O1 from work from .500" dia. to 2.500" dia. What size material would you generally use to make a knife say 9" o.a.l. with a 4" blade. I hate to see these pieces tossed in the scrap bin if I can use them once I get a forge up and running.

 

[thegeek574]

seriously, start taking them just for the fact that, if you can't use them, you can give them to someone who can't afford much steel. they deserve better than going in the scrap bin.

 

[sunshadow]

seriously, start taking them just for the fact that, if you can't use them, you can give them to someone who can't afford much steel. they deserve better than going in the scrap bin.

What he said. 5/8 to 1 inch diameter will get the job done, anything over 1 inch will be a ball-buster to hand hammer until you have a lot of practice. If you can get together a 70 pound lot of bigger pieces in a flat rate box I'll throw you 50 cents a pound plus postage

-Page

 

[melsdad]

Sunshadow I will keep that in mind. Judgeing by the jobs going thru the shop I may have some 2" dia. bar ends coming up first. They will Vary from 2" long to 7" long depending on the bar, and the part size. When I get some things gathered up I will let you know.

 

[stephanfowler]

I've hand forged down 1 1/2" stock before but it SUCKS

I primarily make large bowies and am perfectly happy starting with 3/4" round but if you can deal with 1" round you will have a lot more fudge room.

For hunters 1/2" stock is just fine. (I use a hydraulic press now for large work)