Blacksmithing

Mick Annick · Jan 21, 2023

What’s an heirloom fit please Steve?

Screwdriver · Jan 21, 2023

Mick Annick said:
What’s an heirloom fit please Steve?

Make it flush at the join but with a tiny bevel on each side. Really tidies up the join if it isn't perfect.

h-dom · Jan 22, 2023

My_Teenage_Self said:
Dom hasn't added to this thread in a while, so I will (C'mon Dom!!)... I made these as little presents for some friends for Christmas.

... This is actually my second (successful) canister, and is made of 6mm 52100 ball bearings and 1095 powder. The first one (using 3mm ball bearings) ended up looking like this;
View attachment 381910

From this;

View attachment 381909

Apologies, In between having a new baby born in November and actual work I've not had much time for playing!

The knife looks great and from a can too, I've wanted to try a can for a while but just haven't got the time. It looks like it's come out great.

I did have a little time before Christmas to make my wife something, a new fire iron set for a gift for Christmas.

All forge welded twists, I was pleased how it came out. Plus a few nails for hanging it because I didn't have time to make a stand too.

I've recently had delivered some 26c3 and 80crv2 to make myself some kitchen knives, looking forward to trying the steel but no idea when I'll have time to.

As I mentioned in a another thread I have a wrought iron hammer, new axe and the knives all on the project list for when I have some free time but I also need to line and plumb a new forge in because my current one is disintegrating.

Bsmith · Jan 22, 2023

Your gates are nice and well made. Just thought you might like to go to the extra bit of effort when bending scrolls if you start by putting a centre in them. This is a gate I made a few years ago.

My_Teenage_Self · Jan 22, 2023

Screwdriver said:
Handle is a bit chunky. I think it would look better with less of a bulge at the back and maybe an heirloom fit at the front where it meets the bolster. I only mention it because it's pretty obvious you have the skills to do it.

Critique gratefully received!

This one *nearly* went in the box of unfinished blades TBH; there are too many pits in the blade, it's too thin, the etch it too patchy, and the bevels aren't neat enough. The handle itself is a quick job. it's actually too skinny (despite how it looks) and if it were a blade for selling, it would need a lot more finishing work! The bolster/wood junction actually is an heirloom fit, but not very well executed. The overall shape of teh handle isnt great aesthetically, but it's quite comfortable in the hand. The swell at the base of the handle is a functional choice, but not to everyones taste

I mainly finished it as it's my first canister, and because 'Practice'.

h-dom · Jan 27, 2023

Some heavy duty twisting going on the last couple of days. That's 40mm square solid bar, welded into 40mmSHS. No way I was doing full solid posts.

Built a new forge - a blown ribbon burner. It's great but too big for normal stuff so I'm going to build another little one to go next to it.

My_Teenage_Self · Jan 28, 2023

Nice consistent twists!

h-dom said:
Built a new forge - a blown ribbon burner. It's great but too big for normal stuff so I'm going to build another little one to go next to it.

We VERY MUCH need pics & info on that! I've been contemplating a NA ribbon burner fed by an Amal injector (I work on much smaller stuff than you!)

h-dom · Feb 14, 2023

My_Teenage_Self said:
Nice consistent twists!

We VERY MUCH need pics & info on that! I've been contemplating a NA ribbon burner fed by an Amal injector (I work on much smaller stuff than you!)

I'm not ignoring this just been flat out lately. Finally had a chance today to do some stuff for myself!

A new hammer as forged. It will come out around 2.5lbs after grinding. This one is for me.

From 95mm of 50mm round en8. Hardened in oil and tempered with a hot drift.

My_Teenage_Self · Feb 16, 2023

After Screwdrivers BRUTAL critique of my last blade :fighting:

I thought I'd better try harder to impress him. Another canister; 6mm 52100 bearings & 1095 powder, Curly oak handle and flared stainless tube 'rivets'.

Screwdriver · Feb 16, 2023

Impressive!

John Hale · Feb 17, 2023

Very Bob Loveless, love it!

My Old Landy · Feb 17, 2023

Really good looking blade :thumbup:

Shiny Steve · Feb 17, 2023

Nice job that, the shape of the handle is spot on. How have you got the finish on the blade it looks almost satin?

My_Teenage_Self · Feb 17, 2023

It is satin (ish). Progressive sanding to remove all marks to 600 grit wet & dry, then etched in Ferric chloride & buffed with 0000 wire wool (then Oil and a few other finishes).

Thanks for the compliments