http://www.britishblades.com/forums/ If hot metal pounding, neo-tribalism, post-apocalyptic or retro-industrial metalsmithing is your thing, this is for you. en Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:13:03 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.britishblades.com/forums/images/bbrg/misc/rss.png http://www.britishblades.com/forums/ http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?110121-Hakkapella-damasteel-flat-bar&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:38:59 GMT Hello all, I was thinking of buying a Hakkapella damasteel flatbar from Brisa and start creating a new knife. As it would be the first time when i am trying to work with damascus could anybody be so kind and make a simple guide for me about which are the steps to perfom from that damasteel... Hello all,

I was thinking of buying a Hakkapella damasteel flatbar from Brisa and start creating a new knife.
As it would be the first time when i am trying to work with damascus could anybody be so kind and make a simple guide for me about which are the steps to perfom from that damasteel flatbar from Brisa to a functional knife?
So what i am thinking now is that i could get that bar shape it into the blade form, create the edge on a belt grinder and that should be all (this in case that the bar is heat treated already).
Any idea if the flat bars came wih the pattern already made or is necessary for me to dip it into acid... dangerous things?

All the best and sorry for the avalanche of questions! ]]> The Cutlers Forge... Weasel http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?110121-Hakkapella-damasteel-flat-bar http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?110020-Making-a-straight-razor-WIP&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:19:43 GMT Since the mood arose I just decided to make a straight razor. It will be super simple, just a scandi groud lump o' steel with a wicked edge on it. The only steel I have good enough for a razor is an old file (already played with the HT. it will work). So pics will come along with my rants on how hard it was to sharpen! :lol: ]]> The Cutlers Forge... tenderfoot http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?110020-Making-a-straight-razor-WIP http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?110006-Iron-Age-forge&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:44:33 GMT I saw a similar iron age forge at the Wilderness Gathering being demonstrated by Dave Budd and I thought I would have a go at one my self. It is only semi Iron Age at the moment because I used an electric fan and a piece of drain pipe from Wicks. Once the goat skin arrives, I will add this to the... I saw a similar iron age forge at the Wilderness Gathering being demonstrated by Dave Budd and I thought I would have a go at one my self. It is only semi Iron Age at the moment because I used an electric fan and a piece of drain pipe from Wicks. Once the goat skin arrives, I will add this to the wooden bucket for the bellows and change the plastic pipe for a wooden one. The charcoal I was using was made form Hornbeam which I am told is the best kind of wood for this purpose. The whole thing worked a treat and the best thing about it is that it means you can actually forge anywhere. This one took me and my five year old about 20 minutes to dig out and light. I am finding that the best way to find things out and to learn is to just get on and try it. What can possibly go wrong? :D

]]> The Cutlers Forge... Garey http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?110006-Iron-Age-forge http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109957-Propane-bottle-mini-forge&goto=newpost Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:11:23 GMT I made this out of a 7.5kg bottle with the base cut off and welded to the side. There are 2 layers of 1" rigidised ceramic fibre blanket all round inside, with a fire brick floor.

Getting the fibre blanket in was ' interesting ' and I was reminded of the joke about the gynaecologist who decorated his hall, landing and stairs through the letterbox.

Pretty basic, but it works. And no, I didn't notice that the floor was out of whack until I looked at the photos.

]]> The Cutlers Forge... Notverybig Al http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109957-Propane-bottle-mini-forge http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109882-Ceramic-fibre-rigidiser-....-help-please&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:35:25 GMT I am in the process of building a small propane forge out out a gas bottle. I have done the ceramic fibre lining and all is ready for the rigidiser, but nowhere can I find any instructions for the complete novice. Do I/can I spray it on and wait for it to dry out slowly and thoroughly before... I am in the process of building a small propane forge out out a gas bottle. I have done the ceramic fibre lining and all is ready for the rigidiser, but nowhere can I find any instructions for the complete novice.

Do I/can I spray it on and

wait for it to dry out slowly and thoroughly before firing up?
assist it to dry with hair dryer/heat gun?
just fire it up?

or is there some complicated curing ceremony? ]]> The Cutlers Forge... Notverybig Al http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109882-Ceramic-fibre-rigidiser-....-help-please http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109778-Spring-Steel&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:36:20 GMT A mate gave me a 600mm x 40mm x 2.4mm length of spring steel and asked me if it was any good to make knives with, All he knows is the guy he got it from said it was stainless, its been laying around for a few years and there is no rust on it and its very shiny, its magnetic and tests at 44rc ... A mate gave me a 600mm x 40mm x 2.4mm length of spring steel and asked me if it was any good to make knives with,

All he knows is the guy he got it from said it was stainless, its been laying around for a few years and there is no rust on it and its very shiny, its magnetic and tests at 44rc

He's going to get me more next week even if its no good for blades it will work for spacers or guards

I googled spring steel and there are a few different types so im going to try and harden a piece the weekend and see how it comes out

Any opinions or advice ?

Steve ]]> The Cutlers Forge... Steve George http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109778-Spring-Steel http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109740-Demo-Advice-Needed!&goto=newpost Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:35:25 GMT My planned demonstration is hook making and when I get bored then whatever else I can make of the same stock. In between making things (or if it doesn't take much brain power to make things) I talk about heat treating, forge welding, steel making, and the history of iron. I taught the metal working merit badge to my scout troop, so Im pretty decent at holding a crowd (at least adolecent boys).

Insurance is coverd, I get to sell stuff, transportation is easy (Im 1/4 mile away from the demo site) there is water in case of a fire (and drinking), I have the stock I need, my forge is OK, my tools are OK, and my attire is ok (period correct be damned! :lol: they don't care what I look like since Im still a blacksmith. :O). What am I missing? Im sure that I will need to dumb down stuff a bit, but is there anything else that needs to get added? ]]> The Cutlers Forge... tenderfoot http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109740-Demo-Advice-Needed! http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109659-etching-preparations-whats-your-routine&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:24:25 GMT just wondering what level of polish you guys do before etching? previously i have brought it up to a mirror finish, but i have a sneaking suspicion that the etch works better if the surface is slighty less perfect, perhaps an even 800 grit finish? anyway- over to you guys! just wondering what level of polish you guys do before etching? previously i have brought it up to a mirror finish, but i have a sneaking suspicion that the etch works better if the surface is slighty less perfect, perhaps an even 800 grit finish?

anyway- over to you guys! ]]> The Cutlers Forge... Josh Burrell http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109659-etching-preparations-whats-your-routine http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109637-Different-Steels-for-Damascus&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:39:45 GMT Hi,

I'm looking to forge my first damascus billet but I cannot seem to find anywhere with the steels I want.

I plan to forge it from O-1, S-1/2 and Possibly Mild steel but I can't find anywhere that keeps S-1/2 in flat strip.

Where do you all get your steels from and what steels do you use?

Thanks in advance. ]]> The Cutlers Forge... dmoate http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109637-Different-Steels-for-Damascus http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109459-Ferric-Warning&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:51:50 GMT Just a heads up, dont ever pour ferric down your toilet, it will ruin it. A few days ago I was polishing a hamon and I had about a capfull of dilute ferric and some ferric soaked tissues. I had just emptied my bin so I was reluctant to pour it into an epmpty bin incase it leaked so I thought... Just a heads up, dont ever pour ferric down your toilet, it will ruin it.

A few days ago I was polishing a hamon and I had about a capfull of dilute ferric and some ferric soaked tissues. I had just emptied my bin so I was reluctant to pour it into an epmpty bin incase it leaked so I thought that it being only a tiny amount it cant hurt the bog.

Three days later my toilet looks like it has been used by a Sasquatch thats been on a indian and mexican food diet. Bleach wont touch it, Mr Muscle wont touch it, ive tried scrubbinb to no avail. Basically ive destroyed the thing.

I knwo you shouldnt pour any acid down your toilet but I thought that a capfull of waterd down ferric cant do any harm and is no worse than bleach. Im gutted.

Jamie ]]> The Cutlers Forge... jamiemackie http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109459-Ferric-Warning http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109356-Recommend-me-a-blow-torch.&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:26:00 GMT Hello,

Could I ask for a few ideas and help, on a blow torch/burner for bean can or small fire brick forge. I've been having a look around and found this one, I thought it might be good because of the separate wand, but not too sure. Any ideas or help greatly appreciated. :D

Thanks,

Pete.


Incorporating advanced design burner heads, this burner torch provides above average temperatures for a wider range of applications.

* Complete with multigas 300 cylinder 600ml.
* capable of temperatures of 1750 degree C.
* Regulator.
* 22mm nozzle.
* Paint stripping nozzle.
* Spark ignitor.
* Hose and handle assembly.
* Spanner. ]]> The Cutlers Forge... silverpete http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109356-Recommend-me-a-blow-torch. http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109278-Castree-Kilns-Forge&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:57:44 GMT I've carried out a number of searches trying to find reviews or opinions of the Castree Kilns Bladesmiths forge (see link below). Does anyone have any experience, opinions or pointers regarding this kiln?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Single-Burner-...ng_Supplies_ET

I'm looking for a kiln to begin my imminent switch to a propane forge prior to manufacturing my own (many thanks to Dave Budd and Mushi Sushi for advice on construction/linings etc). I don't forge much at the moment due to various reasons surrounding the cost and distance to resupply with coke as well as space limitations and having to forge outside. With this in mind, I'm looking for something small and efficient around the 200 quid mark which will get me used to using a propane forge, and will allow me to forge small stuff. Once I finally get round to building a bigger forge (using a 7kg gas cylinder) I'd still like to be able to use the smaller forge when I'd like to forge blades or HT etc.

Any thoughts on this gents?:S ]]> The Cutlers Forge... SilverhillForge http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109278-Castree-Kilns-Forge http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109241-How-many-layers-in-stainless-damasteel&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:44:34 GMT I was just wondering if anyone can tell me how many layers would be in stainless damasteel ? I was just wondering if anyone can tell me how many layers would be in stainless damasteel ? ]]> The Cutlers Forge... woodlandwarrior http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109241-How-many-layers-in-stainless-damasteel http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109216-tricky-trick&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:59:18 GMT This is something that may already have been posted, but I never found it. A while back I was trying to make a full tang knifeto sell, and I realized that with my tool set and standards I could never get the fit just right if the tang was forged (there was always a tiny gap), so I figured just... This is something that may already have been posted, but I never found it. A while back I was trying to make a full tang knifeto sell, and I realized that with my tool set and standards I could never get the fit just right if the tang was forged (there was always a tiny gap), so I figured just forge the blade and guard, and grind out the handle shape after it has been cooled and cut off the parent bar. And yes I know it is cheating. :D ]]> The Cutlers Forge... tenderfoot http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109216-tricky-trick http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109036-help!-how-do-you-drive-a-little-giant&goto=newpost Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:26:59 GMT ive been a bit naughty,i found a local engineer who has got a power hammer,and ive managed to convince him to let me use it once in a while for a small fee.only prob is... i said ive used one before and i havnt:surrender:. im pretty sure you just switch it on,pull the lever to engage it,then use... ive been a bit naughty,i found a local engineer who has got a power hammer,and ive managed to convince him to let me use it once in a while for a small fee.only prob is... i said ive used one before and i havnt:surrender:. im pretty sure you just switch it on,pull the lever to engage it,then use the foot tredle to controll the whacker.
i would like the idiots guide to power hammers from you fellahs to make me look like i know what im doing.im practical,so im sure lill figure it out quick but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
cheers,casey ]]> The Cutlers Forge... case http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?109036-help!-how-do-you-drive-a-little-giant