First steps - forging knives

[General Zod]

LOL I only get to have small work tables...Got one for hammers, tongs, and hardy tools, got one for the grinders, my drill press is sitting on a table saw, and my forge is on a cart that also has all of my scrap steel and files among other things. When I mounted that bench vise the only place to put it was on a little shelf I made out of 2x6 secured between two wall studs on a 4x4 with a 2x4 leg under it. It sits about 18" out from the wall between the table saw and the work table with the grinders.

 

[robertc1024]

I need to find some coal first!

https://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/tsc/product/premium-nut-coal?bvstate=pg:3/ct:r&cid=Search-Google-SEA_DYN-Heating-Heating%20Dynamic&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=SEA_DYN&utm_content=Heating&utm_term=Heating%20Dynamic&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RXaxoUPh3dImtIgxr2UfuaUYlgGNI-qGnPb_9TLaogaMtYcR-nS64RoC5HwQAvD_BwE

Here's a guy using it:

 

[Axxe55]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/tsc/product/premium-nut-coal?bvstate=pg:3/ct:r&cid=Search-Google-SEA_DYN-Heating-Heating%20Dynamic&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=SEA_DYN&utm_content=Heating&utm_term=Heating%20Dynamic&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RXaxoUPh3dImtIgxr2UfuaUYlgGNI-qGnPb_9TLaogaMtYcR-nS64RoC5HwQAvD_BwE

Here's a guy using it:

Thank you. our TSC locally doesnt carry it but I eill get them to order some the next trip to the store.

 

[Axxe55]

LOL I only get to have small work tables...Got one for hammers, tongs, and hardy tools, got one for the grinders, my drill press is sitting on a table saw, and my forge is on a cart that also has all of my scrap steel and files among other things. When I mounted that bench vise the only place to put it was on a little shelf I made out of 2x6 secured between two wall studs on a 4x4 with a 2x4 leg under it. It sits about 18" out from the wall between the table saw and the work table with the grinders.

I still have quite a bit of that old lumber left so I plan on building a 4'x4' outside work table as well.

 

[General Zod]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/tsc/product/premium-nut-coal?bvstate=pg:3/ct:r&cid=Search-Google-SEA_DYN-Heating-Heating%20Dynamic&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=SEA_DYN&utm_content=Heating&utm_term=Heating%20Dynamic&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RXaxoUPh3dImtIgxr2UfuaUYlgGNI-qGnPb_9TLaogaMtYcR-nS64RoC5HwQAvD_BwE

Here's a guy using it:

That's a surprisingly good price. OK. So now all I need is a shop with a concrete floor I can build a coal forge in.

 

[Axxe55]

That's a surprisingly good price. OK. So now all I need is a shop with a concrete floor I can build a coal forge in.

Or a brick platform for it.

 

[Axxe55]

Thank you @robertc1024 for posting that link.

 

[Byrd666]

I got mine from a farrier supply in Conroe, but it isnt hard to get. Its not like the stuff goes bad so you could get a bulk shipment and store it.


These guys

C&M Horse Shoe Sales | Conroe, Texas

candmhorseshoes.com

$19 per 50lb bag

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This is very good to know. Thanks

 

[General Zod]

Or a brick platform for it.

Nah, I'm not going to have a coal fire going unless it's on a solid, nonflammable floor. Plus I'll need some kind of chimney and I don't want to cut holes in my storage building. And...there's the matter of having nowhere to put it in the current space...

 

[cycleguy2300]

Or a brick platform for it.

I was going to say a layer of sand...

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[paknheat]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/tsc/product/premium-nut-coal?bvstate=pg:3/ct:r&cid=Search-Google-SEA_DYN-Heating-Heating%20Dynamic&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=SEA_DYN&utm_content=Heating&utm_term=Heating%20Dynamic&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RXaxoUPh3dImtIgxr2UfuaUYlgGNI-qGnPb_9TLaogaMtYcR-nS64RoC5HwQAvD_BwE

Here's a guy using it:

I did not know TSC dealt in coal.

Thanks for posting this.


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[General Zod]

Spent Saturday making possibly the ugliest tongs I've ever seen - modified a pair intended for holding up to 1/2" round bar and modified them to accept 1 1/2" x 1/4" knife blanks. They're not pretty but they work. They hold the steel steady while I hammer it.

Sunday I spent a majority of the day experimenting with ideas that...I don't have to tools to make work right. OK. Good to know that before I'm painted into a corner. In the afternoon, the forging began. They say a beginning bladesmith shouldn't try a Bowie knife right off the bat. Well, I'm working on a Bowie knife with a 10" blade. So far it's got a good start, but it's only in the beginning stage.

 

[General Zod]

The Bowie is coming along nicely. Did a reverse curve on the blade to hammer in a slight bevel, which straightened the spine and gave it the proper clip point. It was...a lot more nerve wracking than I anticipated!

Next steps after the knife cools will be the initial profiling and surface grinding, followed by the logo touchmark.

 

[General Zod]

So. Much. Grinding. Holy crap!

 

[Eastexasrick]

Ja know it will get easer but starting out, the patience of Job. That is why us mortals' gape in awe

 

[Axxe55]

Ja know it will get easer but starting out, the patience of Job. That is why us mortals' gape in awe

General Zod is doing forging I'm doing stock removal

 

[Axxe55]

my first three knives after building my belt grinder
<a href=""><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href=""><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href=""><img src="https://i.imgur.com/sskeaV2l.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[General Zod]

Not bad, Axxe! I really like the blade profile and the jimping on the middle one.

 

[General Zod]

Current state of things: lots of grinding done, lots to go.

 

[no2gates]

Current state of things: lots of grinding done, lots to go.

View attachment 348629

That's really looking nice !