Mike McCarter 0 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 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! Link to post Share on other sites
Austin_Lyles 148 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I really like this one. It has a great, clean look that pairs well with the forged flats. The walnut looks great. Well done! Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Miller 136 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) 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 Link to post Share on other sites
Mike McCarter 0 Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Thanks, guys! Yes, definitely Nessmuk inspired. Link to post Share on other sites
Niaro To 4 Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Smiling for work! Fine finish, just perfect! Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Adams 12 Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Very nice job. How did you finish your handles? D. Adams Jn. 3:16 Link to post Share on other sites
mike desensi 10 Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 thats a good looking solid knife great job!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike McCarter 0 Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike McCarter 0 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share Posted June 19, 2015 Very cool! I want to try a spike ... And a hawk ... And a ..... Link to post Share on other sites
jdsmith02115 36 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 for a first forging effort, its quite nice. Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Colwell 143 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) 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) Link to post Share on other sites
Mike McCarter 0 Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Miles Hebbard 2 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 that day could arrive sooner than you think, well done one your first attempt! Link to post Share on other sites
Dylan Wanta 1 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 WOAH! Walnut can be a tricky wood to get to take a finish and you nailed it. Stellar work, awesome polish, and keep hammering! Link to post Share on other sites
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