Silly Forging Question

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unky_gumbi

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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So this may seem a little silly to some, but not to me. Is it possible to forge a knife without swinging a hammer or having a power hammer? I am thinking a press, but I don't know. Also if it is possible to forge a blade with a hydraulic press what size would be needed?

The reason I am asking is because I don't think my elbow will ever be good enough to swing a hammer or be able to handle the repeated shocks from a power hammer, but I still want to be able to forge a blade and I am thinking that if I can get it to a rough shape with a press I can then move on to the grinder to finish it.
 
Yes, a blade can be shaped completely on a press. The addition of tapered dies makes the bevels possible. I can't remember his name, but one of the chaps here has a DVD out of him forging blades on his press.

A press to do simple work will need to be about 16-20 ton. You can build one by converting a hydraulic log splitter, or build one from scratch. Dr. Batson has a great book on doing that with all the charts and tables you will need to select the components.
 
+1 on Stacey's recommendation. Dr Batson's book give you all the details even if you are buying a press. Great to have around for reference.
 
Can you hammer with your other hand, might be a little rough at first, but might come out.
A little cold right now for a try , but you can swing by come spring for a go at it.
A small knife from a 01 rod does not take much when hot.
Cheers Ron.
 
running a powerhammer is easier on your body IE hands arms shoulders then hand hammering. If you are getting pain or undue shock you are doing something wrong. forging the bevels on a press would be Painfully slow, presses don't work well or quickly on thin stock.
 
Mungo Park said:
Can you hammer with your other hand, might be a little rough at first, but might come out.
A little cold right now for a try , but you can swing by come spring for a go at it.
A small knife from a 01 rod does not take much when hot.
Cheers Ron.
Click to expand...

Right now, 4 months after surgery, I just don't think I will be able to swing a hammer with my left hand, and using my right hand (the wrong one for me) could just be dangerous I can't even write my name so someone can read it with my right hand. Now as for being cold, today was like an early spring day. the sun was strong and the roads were wet and slushy:D

Sam Salvati said:
running a powerhammer is easier on your body IE hands arms shoulders then hand hammering. If you are getting pain or undue shock you are doing something wrong. forging the bevels on a press would be Painfully slow, presses don't work well or quickly on thin stock.
Click to expand...

As it is at this moment I have constant pain from my left elbow to about midway down my forearm. I had a bad case of Tennis Elbow from too much wrenching at work. I had surgery on it in September and the only improvement so far is that it doesn't get any more irritated under normal use, and its in a different spot in my elbow, but even the slightest shock is like a lightening bolt through my arm.
The surgeon and my physiotherapist think that the constant and sharp pains may be caused by scar tissue entrapping the nerve. I see the surgeon again on the 27th and I will have to weigh my options then as to what can be done about it.

I haven't completely ruled out swinging a hammer or using a power hammer, I am just searching out options just in case.
 
I have both an air hammer and a 25 ton press in my shop; if I had to chose one to give upt it would be the press. The power hammer I believe has more capabilities than the press. The only thing the press does better is welding billets.

Swinging a three pound hammer builds character.:D

Fred
 
I think if you have a good selection of quality tongs, that the power hammer will be okay for you and much more versatile. I'm sure you can find someone within driving distance with a power hammer to try out.

Rick
 
that sounds bad, a press then despite it's shortcomings is a better bet. Get better soon dude.
 
I've read your post with some interest. The one thought I had that might be an avenue to help you out would be a treadle hammer. I think this might help you if used it in conjunction with a press.

Dave from Diller
 
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