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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
See chest, Aaargh, I mean Sea Chest
- Thread starter Sylvrfalcn
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Sylvrfalcn said:
A crude tool is just what I need to scrape out my nuts . Now before some of you escort me along a 2x10 supported on one end I mean pecan nuts . I guess a nail is the perfect shape for securing in a handle . Annealing is easy enough . It will be the retreatment that will be the challenge .
Thanks for the pic B:T:W: . I especially like the small knife .
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I'll bet the Kamis use much the same sort of tools, Sarge. Forged and handled from whatever was on hand. Look at the work they do with them too. I once asked Uncle Bill what the likely hood was of getting some for me and he said the response from Nepal was pretty much puzzelment. I guess they just take it for granted that they will make whatever they need for the task at hand. You seem to have that mentality to some degree too. If you don't mind, could you give us a run down of what tools and procedures you used to make them.
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Kevin the grey said:
This is why condoms are so important... Jeez, what did you get into up there in Canada.
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Bobwhite said:
I don't really understand what you're specifically asking me, the tools and techniques for this kind of stuff are fairly universal and for the most part ancient. Pretty much what you'd expect, hammers, pliers, files, anvil, propane powered heat source, and an old coffee can full of tepid water for quenching. Forge and file blade to shape, burn tang into handle, harden and temper blade, mount into handle, sharpen and use.Sarge
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You just answered me. I remembered that you used to but your file knives in an oven and I wanted to know if you did these that way. I was not clear if they were done by stock removal or forging, or what you used to quench. Sorry if it seemed a stupid question, I have not tried my hand at any steel working though. I guess I should have asked "How exactly did you do these?" instead of "Give me a general rundown."
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Bobwhite said:
Sorry about the confusion Bob. May I recommend a good book?
Sarge
Edited to add: Just dawned on me that this post could be construed as fascetiousness, and that was not my intention. The book I've pointed out, "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" is a wonderful read. Whether you're interested in getting started in blacksmithing, or you're a woodcarver (or stone carver) that would like to learn how to make your own tools, or just a knife nut who would like to have a better understanding of how steel is shaped, sharpened, hardened, or tempered, this book will answer all of your questions. Used copies are available from Amazon for just under ten bucks, a worthy addition to your library.
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jmings said:
You scurvy bilge rat, thanks for reminding me. I'm heading to Florida next week. It's only about an 18 1/2 hour drive from here to the coast, and gas is only three bucks a gallon. Aaargh, 'tis the devil wot's dancin' on them oil swab's shoulders, and whispering in their ears. I'd like to throw 'em all in a vat of their overpriced fuel, and toss in a nice bright torch so they can have a better look at hell. :grumpy:
Sarge
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munk said:
Munk, small knives, and small simple tools, make great learning projects, as they're a good way to get your feet wet without getting in over your head. With stock removal, you have to take care not to "burn the temper" out of the steel. With forging, you don't give a rat's butt, because mistakes can go right back into the fire and be softened or hardened as you choose. You get to work with metal that's dead soft, shape it how you want, bring it up to a glassy hardness, then temper it down to wherever you want it to be. Absolutely joyful, you'll feel like some ancient alchemist, do it, and you will be hooked.
:thumbup: Sarge
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munk said:
Aaargh matey, let go the railing and jump on in, there be nothing to fear in these waters. Learning to work metal opens many doors. Had a lady friend (no, not that kind, this one's married to a friend of mine) looking for some "rustic hooks" for curtain tie-backs, but couldn't find any that suited her. I asked her what she wanted them to look like, took some quick measurements, and went and forged her a lovely set of hooks complete with hammered finish, decorative curly cues, and all that. She was plumb tickled, and mightily impressed. I didn't think much of it, hot steel and a hammer, and git 're done. Had another friend working on something that required a tool he didn't have. I took a look, and went and made him one that worked perfectly. Like I said, learning to work metal opens up all kind of avenues beyond simple cutting tools.
There's a reason that prior to the industrial age, and even a ways beyond, blacksmiths were highly valued members of their communities. Just think of the trades that their trade affected, wheelwrights, coopers, carpenters, leatherworkers, butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers. Anybody who used metal tools, fasteners, fittings and findings. Even when the pyramids of Egypt were built, there were smithies on site to make, sharpen, and repair the stone cutter's tools. You don't look at the pyramids and think about blacksmiths, but they were there. So fire up the forge, take up that hammer, and don't be surprised if between the hammer's rings, you hear the whisper of ancient voices. Sold now?
Sarge