Joshua States

This is a two-DVD set and worth every penny.

I don't know where you live Nate, but if you add some of that info to your profile, we may be able to direct you to resources nearby. Need a "beginner" anvil for $50 or less? Try buying the biggest sledge hammer you can get at the local hardware store. You should be able to get a 12-20 pounder for that depending on where you live. Find a solid chunk of log or a tree stump and bore a hole that the hammer head will fit down into fairly tight. Only sink it about halfway. Dig a hole in the backyard, line it with bricks and fill it with charcoal. Rig up a blower with an old hairdryer and a length of iron pipe. Buy a decent 2 pound forging hammer and some tongs at the local farrier supply store. You now have the basics for forging stuff. Probably cost you less than $200. If you think you need better (more expensive) equipment than what I've just described to make a decent blade, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxLpbgT3HFg

Buy them tapered. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Powermate-5-Pieces-Grinding-Stone-Set-P024-0138SP/202591389 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-3-8-in-Aluminium-Oxide-Arch-Shaped-Rotary-Tool-General-Purpose-Grinding-Stone-952/100531940

This is coming along superbly. Now about those nail nicks...and the lack of a mill. How about this? So, take that Dremel cut off wheel and Chuck it up in the drill press. Put the blade in a drill press vice and set the table height. Now manually slide the vice so the blade contacts the wheel. Cut the line as deep as you like. Now Chuck up a tapered grinding stone and set the table height so the line you cut is just above the top of the stone. Start the hollow cut. Finish with the cratex wheel in the Dremel.

I fell down that hole a couple of years ago. It was right after I got this book: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Folding-Knives-Step-Step/dp/0873413903 Great step by step processes with diagrams and photos from three renowned makers.

Critical hit. Definitely critical.

Very nice. I think you did a very cool sculpted handle on that.

This is a really good suggestion. I do this with almost every blade. I use either rebar tie wire or a hook I made from 1/8" round rod. Using this method also allows you to hang the blade dead vertical as you quench. Gabriel, you might be able to make a cross bar with a line of holes to hang several blades at the same time. If they are small enough you could pull the whole bar and quench simultaneously?

Some of the pinned posts are missing pics too. Such as this one:

That's a pretty nice chopper.

As this is a pretty long video, I am watching it in sections......... Unfortunately, it has me wanting to scrap my current Seax project

I beg to differ with that opinion. nov·ice ˈnävəs/ noun a person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation. You are neither "new" nor "inexperienced" as far as I can tell. The amount of years spent is insignificant when compared to how that time was spent. You have spent your time wisely and have achieved much more than others who did not have, or did not realize there was, access to the resources you have made good use of. You also have the benefit of focus. You zero in on what you want to do, gather as much information about exactly how to do it, and proceed to actualize the vision. Your methods and processes are detailed and specific. There is no "well, I'm going to have a go at making a knife and see what happens" in your endeavors. You have a very specific goal and a laid out plan on how to achieve it. That is not "novice" methodology. BTW: There are only 24 knives in those photos above.......there's 2 knives missing

I have been changing my method somewhat and getting better results. I have amassed quite a bit of this stuff now. My video

What a spectacular build! Matthew that is some impressive craftsmanship.

Occam's razor JJ. Never forget Occam's razor.