Forums

  1. General

    1. Forum News

      Adminstrative News and Comments

      72
      posts

    2. New Board Issues

      This is a temporary forum for you to be able to report issues you have following our message board upgrade. It will be removed at a later time.

      1,454
      posts

  2. New Work

    1. Show and Tell

      This is the place to post the pictures of your latest work.

      135,309
      posts

    2. Photography

      This is an area for photos. They don't have to be knife related, just images that you created that you want to share. I have had great fun with my digital camera and find it is a way to open the creative vein. Keep the images no larger than 640x480 and around 50k.

      8,180
      posts

    3. Video and Multimedia

      A dedicatd forum for posting videos and other forms of animated multimedia.

      1,995
      posts

    4. Knives For Sale

      This forum is to provide a place for members to offer their knives for sale. No dealer or commercial postings, but if you have a knife that you made and would like to offer it for sale please feel free to post.

      6,610
      posts

    5. Design and Critique

      A place to show your work and receive design help and critique.

      10,680
      posts

  3. Old Work

    1. History

      A place to discuss the history of bladesmithing and share information about blades from all cultures

      6,185
      posts

    2. Old Masters

      A place to share information and photos of past Masters of the craft. No living makers please and be sure to have permission to post images.

      257
      posts

    3. Library

      A resource to list references, video and books that would add to the general knowledge of the craft.

      336
      posts

  4. Forge Work

    1. Hot Work and Bladesmithing

      This is the place for all questions related to forging and hot work.

      1,035
      posts

    2. Hot Work

      This forum is to replace the old hot work and bladesmithing forum. Please post new topics here.

      14,562
      posts

    3. Bloomers and Buttons

      For the growing field of smelting iron and steel. This forum is open to crucible and bloomery discussions.

      11,350
      posts

    4. Beginners Place

      All "newbies" / beginners, please post your questions in this forum. Thanks.

      29,650
      posts

    5. Teacher Directory

      Here you can find teachers of the craft

      45
      posts

  5. Forges, Tools, Equipment and Materials

    1. Tools and Tool Making

      The tools of the trade and how to make them.

      27,439
      posts

  6. Finishing, Tips and Tricks

    1. Fit and Finish

      Discussion, tips, tricks and questions about finishing.

      8,864
      posts

    2. Sheaths and Leatherwork

      Because every blade needs a sheath.

      675
      posts

    3. Carving and Applied Arts

      Discussion of techniques related to decorative arts such as carving, engraving, chasing, repousse, filing etc.

      1,168
      posts

    4. Shop Safety

      Tips and hints to keep you in one piece and not bleeding

      856
      posts

    5. Non-Ferrous: fittings, alloys, patinas

      Non-Ferrous: fittings, alloys, patinas

      225
      posts

  7. Heat Treating

    1. Metallurgy and other enigmas

      Questions and discussions about heat treating.

      12,089
      posts

    2. Heat Treating by Alloy

      A catalog of methods for proper heat treatment of blade steels arranged by particular alloy

      280
      posts

  8. Events

    1. Events of Interest

      Post your classes, hammerins, shows and events of interest.

      7,370
      posts

  9. Discussion

    1. The Way

      Open discussion about it all.

      23,927
      posts

    2. Firey Beards

      A Place for Smithing TomFoolery

      7,037
      posts

    3. Books, Videos, and other Media

      Post your book/video and other media type recommendations here.
      Links to interesting articles / websites.
      Anything related to the craft.

      1,526
      posts

  10. Tailgate Sales

    1. Tools, Supplies and Materials

      A place to sell and where to find materials and supplies. This forum is intend for the use of our members and is not for commercial purposes.

      9,378
      posts

  11. Hall of Fame

    1. Nominations

      Nominate a thread for inclusion in the hall of fame. Reply to existing threads to cast your vote for or against the inclusion.

      329
      posts

    2. Show and Tell Hall of Fame

      Work voted by members to be the most significant contributions to the forum within the Show and Tell category.

      28
      posts

    3. WIP/Tutorial Hall of Fame

      Work voted by members to be the most significant step-by-step tutorial or Work in Progress (WIP) contributions to the forum .

      65
      posts

  12. Pinned Topics

    1. Pinned Show and Tell

      This is the home for pinned topics

      5,751
      posts

    2. Pinned Hot Work Topics

      Home for pinned hot work topics

      299
      posts

    3. Pinned Buttons and Bloomers

      Pinned threads relating to casting, smelting and making steel

      981
      posts

  13. Maker's Mark Registry

    1. Maker's Mark Registry

      Post your own mark here

      99
      posts

    2. Marks to be Identified

      Use this forum to post unknown marks.

      60
      posts

  14. KITH

    1. KITH 2011

      A forum for WIP threads to be posted of those participating in the 2011 "Knife in the Hat" event.

      824
      posts

    2. KITH 2012

      "Knife in the Hat 2012"

      700
      posts

    3. KITH 2013

      666
      posts

    4. KITH 2014

      441
      posts

    5. KITH 2015

      Just what it says!

      496
      posts

    6. KITH 2016

      1,017
      posts

    7. Christmas KITH 2016

      104
      posts

    8. KITH 2017

      110
      posts

  • Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Gary LT

      Gary LT

      Gentlemen,
      Although I do not post much I am on this site most everyday. I enjoyed participating in KITH, exchanging with you guys. After nine years of job searching and working at lower end positions, last September I got lucky and found a position akin to my background and experience. God is good. I did relocate to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in a temporary residence until we sell our place which is near Atlanta. Working long hours but I do have free weekends, except when traveling. I haven't forged anything in 7 months, so I am looking to find some folks who can suggest where I can hook with other iron artists in the area. If anyone is near or used to live near Broward county , FL, I would appreciate any advice.
      Kind regards, Gary LT
      · 3 replies
    • Matthew Parkinson

      Matthew Parkinson

      spend all day finishing a folder ... only to destroy the burl in the last ten min.. and starting over ... should have just finished up the other ten knives i wanted done for the show ..
       
      · 2 replies
    • Mike A

      Mike A  »  JJ Simon

      I'm new to the forum folks so I don't know if this question can be asked here. What are some of the best books in your opinion for beginning blacksmiths/knife makers? And specifically, books that may address how metals will react under certain conditions? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I would rather read up on the art and physics of heated and cooled metals before any practical applications. Thanks. 
      · 3 replies
    • Jonas Liebel

      Jonas Liebel

      Check out my youtube channel - Bloodforge Knives -
      · 0 replies
    • Joshua States

      Joshua States

      Not for nothing, but the new search engine seems to work pretty well!
      · 0 replies