Why I forge close- (finished PICS p2)

RMLamey

RMLamey

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Nov 13, 1998
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For me the part I enjoy the most about knife making is forging the blade. I would guess that most that forge agree. I see alot of bladesmiths just forging a rudementary shape, then stopping to grind the rest. Not sure why this is, and not really knocking them, just wanting to say that forging closer is much more rewarding for me.

Here is a Bowie from a few months back-


This photo is straight off the Anvil, NO grinding has been done-

9075196967_6486a4e779_z.jpg



This photo is after ricasso/profile clean up-

9075199135_17a79aa7ae_z.jpg



9077428428_a1f1006e02_z.jpg



And the last pic of edge thickness as forged, this is before any grinding-

9077429838_e2517742fc_z.jpg
 
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Would you mind adding a pic or two of the hammers you use? I'm still trying to wrap my brain around hammering in the plunge lines like that.
 
That's some nice hammering my friend! :thumbup: :cool:

I agree, forging to shape is one of the most fun aspects of making a knife for me (most of the time! LOL).

Sometimes I don't hold my mouth right, or the moon is off or something, because a piece of steel will just give me fits. But I love hammering on hot steel.

In our present "everything is disposable" society, MOST folks think of something made of steel as something that was stamped out in some far away factory by big machines. They think of "metal" as a material with a finite shape. It is what it is.

So to me... to be able to build a forge, stick a piece of steel in it until it's in a plastic state, and shape it between a hammer and anvil is ridiculously rewarding. :)


As for not hammering close--- I have seen quite a few guys forge something that resembled a tongue depressor and call it good. :confused: IMHO it would be faster and easier for them to nip the corners off the bar with a saw.

With that said, I don't usually go quite as close on my bevels as you did, because I have done a few too many that I couldn't grind ALL the hammer marks out of. :grumpy: :foot: If I had better control over that issue, I would forge every one down to 0.040 like you did Matt! :thumbup:
 
RMLamey said:
For me the part I enjoy the most about knife making is forging the blade. I would guess that most that forge agree. I see alot of bladesmiths just forging a rudementary shape, then stopping to grind the rest. Not sure why this is, and not really knocking them, just wanting to say that forging closer is much more rewarding for me.

Here is a Bowie from a few months back-



This photo is straight off the Anvil, NO grinding has been done-


9075196967_6486a4e779_z.jpg



This photo is after ricasso/profile clean up-

9075199135_17a79aa7ae_z.jpg



9077428428_a1f1006e02_z.jpg



And the last pic of edge thickness as forged, this is before any grinding-

9077429838_e2517742fc_z.jpg
Click to expand...

That's awesome. Haven't been able to forge that close for the same reasons Nick said, but that's nice work!
 
Is there a strength benefit to forging the bevels and edge thickness down that closely (rather than grinding from full thickness)? It looks great, I'm just curious.
 
Skilled forging on the bowie.:thumbup: When the forging is taken to this degree, the forging itself becomes more refined. The bevels have to be centered the spine straight and the ricasso flat. Its not easy getting them all to align.
Are you forging with a press or power hammer?

I don't forge blades to this degree all the time but I do occasionally, to remind myself I have the skill to do so.
 
Really nice work.
Is there a limit to how fine you can forge and not have issues with decarb?
 
Fascinating stuff. I can see where that would take a lot of practice and skill. :thumbup: I'm interested in the technical questions as well.
 
Nicely done. I too like to forge as close to final as possible, often that means a hammer mark or two is just a hair deep to be ground out. Like to see this one finished

-Page
 
Matt, you are a true bladesmith, that forging is beautiful. It was a poor smith that said "if a blade you hope to win forge it thick and grind it thin!".
 
Not many can forge that close to profile, or edge thickness. I get close, but not that close.

Great work, Matt!
 
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Very nice, I would be so happy to be able to pull that off. Started to try doing the bevels and it is a challenge to say the least.
 
You could even cold work that edge to sharp, after a little bit on the soft side temper after hardening right from that forging, cold work like a scythe.
 
Nice work, I can get close, but not THAT close! That my friend is a high level of skill indeed!
 
thanks for the kind words, I use a #50 Little Giant, then shift to a #3 English style hammer made by Jim Joyce. I have a Tai hammer but havent heat treated it yet. I forge them all just about like this as far as "close" some edges Dont get quite as thin, but close. As far as adding strength etc., there is an argument to be made for grain flow/structure etc. BUT thats not the intent of the post, I just like to forge as near to final shape as I can and wanted to show an example. There is an occasional blade that I cant get all the pitting out of, generaly those will get a belt or blasted finish. Whats also fun, and ive done it a few times, is going right from the anvil to heat treat, to sharpening without ever touching a grinder.
 
Speaking of Tai, I'll dust this one off for close forging:

Tai-Goo-Integral-Knord-001-4.jpg
 
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