I wanted to take a moment to show you all my current setup for hot forging. I believe I've mentioned before that I use a big rounder of walnut as a pedestal, and that I was using a rail spike sunk part way into it as a post anvil for very light forging. Well; I began trying heavier and heavier stuff with it, and as a result the spike naturally sank all the way down, but I've discovered that for stock less than around 1/4x1" in section, this is just suitable. I'm even using a 3lb hammer at the moment. This is the largest stock I would ever try to use this for, but for thinner stuff (small to medium knives for instance) It is actually perfectly fine.
The domed shape does not lend itself to a lot of forging techniques, or to finish forging flats, etc, but I thought some of you who would like to try their hand might find this maybe the eisiest setup to get your hands on.
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as you see below, i'm actually using this for roughing in the profile and bevels of my larger wakizashi:
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these swords and my plans for a parang or two are the reason I'm planning to get the sledge hammer head for my next step up in equipment.
So far, I have a small propane torch and these swords turn out also to be about the largest thing I'd try to heat with it. It'll heat between a 2 and 4" section at a time to forging temps. I think if I build a refractory lined forge with an inner diameter around 3-4" and design it to take both of my little torches, this would be more than adequate for everything I've got in the works at the moment.
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