Justinschmidt 3 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 So fastenal has w1 for a really good price in round bar. How big of a pain in the neck is it to forge round bar by hand? I'll probably make some Japanese pairing knives with it. I'd like to make chef knives with them but idk how tough it is. Thinking 1/2in to 5/8 maybe? Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Keyes 672 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 I figure 1 inch is about the upper limit for a hand hammer. I you have friends who will strike for you, or hold while you strike, it goes pretty fast. You can do some interesting things with round bar, but if you can get the same stock in flats, it will save some time. Check out the pinned topic on the air powered forging press. For not much investment you can have a small press for breaking down stock. Geoff 1 "The worst day smithing is better than the best day working for someone else." I said that. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly. - - -G. K. Chesterton So, just for the record: the fact that it does work still should not be taken as definitive proof that you are not crazy. Grant Sarver Link to post Share on other sites
Joël Mercier 709 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 For a chef knife, you'll need 3/4" or more. I hand forged a santoku from a 7/8" W1 round. It was my third knife and second forged so it's definitely doable. Just make sure your steel is hot enough and you should be fine. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jerrod Miller 595 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 I got some W1 15/16" as a really sweet deal. It is ...difficult to move by hand. I like having a press. Not just handy for the round bar, too. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Justinschmidt 3 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 My anvil is pretty sub-par so I'm worried about that. But I'll probably pick up some 3/4 round bar anyway. Geoff itll just be me so I'll just have to suck it up lol Joel I loved that santoku with the forged finish you did Jerrod what makes it difficult to move? Just the mass of it? Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 787 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 W2 is just tough stuff. You can feel the difference even with a power hammer. It's not what I call a fun thing to forge. I'm sure there is a metallurgical reason. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Troels Saabye 42 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 (edited) Once I managed a 1½" round bar O1, NEVER again by hand Edited July 27, 2018 by Troels Saabye 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Justinschmidt 3 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 1.5in round bar. Yeah that doesn't sound fun at all. The tungsten, vanadium and chromium are probably what make them difficult to forge. But I've heard w1 varies alot I its composition. So that kinda sucks Link to post Share on other sites
Troels Saabye 42 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Not fun at all but great learning ^^ and excellent workout O.o Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 2,502 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 (edited) I use the 1 inch rounds in W-1 and O-1 for knives and although I do most of the reduction with either the press of the power hammer, I do the initial forging of the end down into a point (to avoid fish lip syndrome) all by hand. Work at substantial heat (Yellow) and keep it hot. Edited July 27, 2018 by Joshua States “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to post Share on other sites
Gerald Boggs 301 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 It comes down to how good of hammer swing you have :-) <p>Gerald Boggs <a href="http://www.geraldboggs.com">www.geraldboggs.com</a></p> Link to post Share on other sites
Jerrod Miller 595 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 To be clear, it is totally possible by hand, yes. But that is a lot of material to move, and it certainly doesn't move as easily as mild. You'll definitely want a big hammer and anvil (or a press). Link to post Share on other sites
Justinschmidt 3 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 Starting to sound like I should wait till I have better equipment and just get some 1095! No problem with that at all Link to post Share on other sites
Gerald Boggs 301 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Or get stronger :-) 1 <p>Gerald Boggs <a href="http://www.geraldboggs.com">www.geraldboggs.com</a></p> Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 3,784 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 3/4" round W1 isn't too bad by hand, but that's about as big as I'll do that way, because I do have a power hammer . 1" round wrought iron is easy. 1" round mild steel is not. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Justinschmidt 3 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 I'll forge some 1095 for a bit and once j get a real anvil I'll try round bar. Link to post Share on other sites
Joël Mercier 709 Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Good point, you'll waste a lot of energy without a good mass under your hammer. Link to post Share on other sites
Justinschmidt 3 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 That's what I'm kind of worried about. I just have a 55lb Chinese anvil. Hoping to get a peddinghaus by the end of the year Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 2,502 Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 4 hours ago, Justinschmidt said: That's what I'm kind of worried about. I just have a 55lb Chinese anvil. Hoping to get a peddinghaus by the end of the year C'mon, you must have a friend or acquaintance that wants to learn how to do this and can be conned, no convinced, into doing striker time. 1 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now