bladesmiths?

[the_cloaked_crusader]

I know it's a little far fetched, but I had to ask: are there any bladesmiths on these forums? I'm about to start, and I just had to know . . .

best of regards,
the_cloaked_crusader

 

[27D4]

I've seen some great websites on knife making, even considered giving it a shot, just don't have the room or money for a work shop. Good Luck!

 

[SonWorshipper]

What IS all the fascination with knives lately? That's all I see on late night TV, and frankly it scares me.

 

[Lion of Narnia]

What IS all the fascination with knives lately? That's all I see on late night TV, and frankly it scares me.

Almost anything can be taken to obssesion and unhealthy interest.

That said, knives are extensions of the human will, for good or for evil. The peculiariites of a particular cutlery, as tool, weapon, or art are facinatiting to the afficinado and boring (or disturbing) to anyone else.

Personally, with the exception of big Bowies (which are a short-short sword) I think swords are much cooler than knives

 

[desper84unity]

Well, I know this may put me in shadowy profile, but I have always had throwing knives as a kind of hobby.

I guess it was because of a bonding experience with my DAD. He was a FINLANDER and they are traditionally into knife arts. Making them, and playing competitive games with them, etc. My dad taught me how to throw knives. I think I must have gene for it, because I'm pretty good at it. Currently I have a set of throwing knives, that I keep secured away from kids. Occasionally, I take 'em to the forest and practice. It's fun.

Regarding making them, from what I've read a lot of the best knifes are FILED to shape! It works well because the filing naturally hardens the metal as you go. Gotta start off with high grade steel stock though, and also means going through a lot of files.

I don't feel bad about possessing and throwing knives, especially because the Bible uses knife like metaphors..you know, "out of his mouth, issued a two edged sword"

I'm into safety too.

 

[Lion of Narnia]

Regarding making them, from what I've read a lot of the best knifes are FILED to shape! It works well because the filing naturally hardens the metal as you go. Gotta start off with high grade steel stock though, and also means going through a lot of files.
.

In my reading about knife, sword, and steel making, absolutley nothing about filing making steel harder. As long as a steel can be hardened (sufficient carbon content) hardening is affected by heating to particular temperature and cooling rates. BTW, if you don't want to "go through a lot of files", work with ANNEALED (softened) steel first, do your major filing, grind, drilling, etc.. first then harden (temper) and draw (selectivley soften) as needed

 

[desper84unity]

Yeah, take advantage of annealing. I was trying to stear him away from forging, you know..pounding to shape, which can weaken the metal, unless you do the folding and rebonding that the Japanese did. Even 'drawing' I believe would weaken the metal. Working metal hardens it, that's why you gotta anneal it to begin with, it's been worked at the steel mill. It's a matter of how you treat the metal that reorganizes the metal molecules within it. Pounding disperses the molecules in a more disorganized fashion.. Usually stock has been extruded, then hardened by cooling, the molecules run along the length of the stock.

Also, the more you know about the stock the better, because it is more than just carbon content that gives steel its strength and durability, chromium content for example.

For files, you can get them cheap from industry. Here, it's Boeing Surplus that has buckets of them, still with lots of tooth, and they are hard, with a lot of life in them.

 

[Kibeth]

I don't know about knife making. I love to look at knives, and think of how sharp they are. It reminds me of medieval times, but it also reminds me of Dad cooking a steak on an open fire, and then slicing us each a slender piece of meat... mmmmhh

 

[the_cloaked_crusader]

didn't see these replies until toiday. I haven't gotten to start yet (someone who probmised me sme brake drums for firepots hasn't come through yet. ) I've got a good bood (the Complete Bladesmith, Jim Hrsoulis orsomething like that) and have read most of it at least twice (all once). fascinating stuff. I agree with Lion that swords are more interesting. (I boutghj one on ebay for $10 . . . very bad make, but whatever . . . fun to use (nnot on living things, of course)

best of regards
the_cloaked_crusader

 

[BlackPanther]

there isn't anything wrong with knives or swords as long as you don't hurt people with them. thats what i think. i throw knives too. i have interest in swords...as you may tell from my sig pic...japanese swords in particular. no, not because they are weapons, but because of the beauty and hard work it takes to make them. i think the reason why people associate big knives with violence and crime is because that is what we are used to. you don't often see horror movies in which people get killed by butter knives, therefore we associate big or curvy or exagerated blades with bad things.


desper84unity...what kind of throwers do you have?

 

[Ardagnirion]

What is all the fascination with knives lately and blades

 

[GodFreak43]

I'm known to do some blade smiting every now and then...

 

[c--]

I make chain mail as a hobby, sometimes when I'm bored. I'm trying to get a forge running though, but I got hard coal and I can't get it to light.