First Forged Blade

[Mike McCarter 0]

I’ve made a few knives via stock removal, some from files and rasps but mostly O1 steel. In October 2014, I went to my first hammer-in and knew immediately I had to try to forge a blade. I used a gas forge with side arm burner built from plans at zoellerforge.com. No anvil yet, just a piece of railroad track. Here is my first attempt at hammering (and the first work I’ve posted here). Started with 1/4”x1” 5160 I bought at the hammer-in. Ground the bevel up to 600 grit then polished. Finished it with walnut furniture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking!

[Austin_Lyles 147]

I really like this one. It has a great, clean look that pairs well with the forged flats. The walnut looks great. Well done!

[Collin Miller 136]

Awesome! Looks like a very useful knife. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks an awful lot like a nessmuk style blade to me.

Edited June 9, 2015 by Collin Miller

[Mike McCarter 0]

Thanks, guys! Yes, definitely Nessmuk inspired.

[Niaro To 4]

Smiling for work! Fine finish, just perfect!

[Doug Adams 12]

Very nice job. How did you finish your handles?

D. Adams

Jn. 3:16

[mike desensi 10]

thats a good looking solid knife great job!!!!!

[Mike McCarter 0]

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

 

I finished the wood with 3-4 coats of Casey's Tru-Oil. I sanded it down to 400 grit before applying the first coat, then wet sanded with linseed oil on 400 grit paper between the remaining coats. Finally, very lightly buffed with a loose-leaf wheel.

[Mike McCarter 0]

Very cool! I want to try a spike ... And a hawk ... And a .....

[jdsmith02115 36]

for a first forging effort, its quite nice.

[Kevin Colwell 143]

you are off and running. that looks quite good. I don't think any (or not many) of us had some freak natural talent for this (except maybe JD and Jake, but it's in Jake's genes). We all started at the bottom, and have worked our way up from there. Attention to process, listening humbly and gratefully to those who came before, and a lot of practice (which is fun) have been the things that work for me. Maybe some of that will work for you. Maybe not. Welcome!

 

Oh, for me, taking pictures and looking at them on the screen helps a lot. It lets me see the fine details that I normally miss when I am in the shop. You get past some of the automatic processing stuff that makes you see things like you want them to be, and instead pics let you (me) see things as the actually are. Really good tool.

 

anyway, Welcome. Keep us posted.

kc

Edited June 20, 2015 by Kevin (The Professor)

[Mike McCarter 0]

Thanks again, guys!

 

Professor, that sounds like sage advice to me. So far, I've had a few experienced knife makers take the time and interest to help a rookie. Maybe someday I'll be a haggard ol' smith and pay it forward.

[Miles Hebbard 2]

that day could arrive sooner than you think, well done one your first attempt!

[Dylan Wanta 1]

WOAH! Walnut can be a tricky wood to get to take a finish and you nailed it. Stellar work, awesome polish, and keep hammering!