Once I figure out what I'm doing I'm going to make a couple to give away at the Indiana Jamboree. Ya gotta be there to get one.
Once I figure out what I'm doing I'm going to make a couple to give away at the Indiana Jamboree. Ya gotta be there to get one.
Oh, sweet day in the morning. Nanny nanny boo boo to the rest of you!!!!!!
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
Thanks Rick I had missed the link to the coffee can forges...Originally Posted by Rick
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
I know it seems as though I have trouble staying on one project (and that may be true), but each of the deviations is to learn a bit more before continuing. I like the way the scales project turned out (I have a slab waiting for the original knife now). I’ve never fired anything in a forge, so I need to test my “temporary” forge – who knows, if it works I may not change it. So – I was at a customers and we were talking about knives. He hunts quite a bit. I asked if he had any extra antler material laying around. He gave me two pieces (neither of which was in good shape) with the expectation of me making a small knife for him. So, in order to see if the forge will work here’s the progress I’ve made on his small knife and forge construction. Waiting on the weather to pass so I can set it up outside and try it. Hopefully in an hour or two I will try it.
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Firebrick drills very easily, but is brittle and breaks very easily as well. The trick is very, very light pressure (almost none) as you drill.
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With a couple of bricks at the rear and front, I should be able to close it off to increase or decrease temperature. I can also slide the side bricks a little closer together to decrease the size of the chamber.
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Nice looking new project there, Crash! I may have to get me some firebricks for some of my forge projects this summer. Never thought about using a bernzomatic torch, but it should work fine!
Looks good from here! I have already claimed "King of the unfinished projects" I do it this way so it all comes together at once! When you fire it can you measure the oven temp some kinda way?
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
Yeah, me too. I figured if I posted at the start of the project, I would be obligated to see it through until completion.
Here’s the set-up from the front.
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And the back.
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While heating.
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Not sure how well it worked. The metal did get a dull red glow to it. I quenched it in motor oil. Good idea about checking the internal temperature. I think I can borrow a friends laser thermometer (not sure of the temp range of it)
Here’s the metal after quenching.
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There are a couple of things that I want to do a little different. This took quite a while to heat up. I will try Mapp gas next time. I also will move the brick with the hole in it to the top so that the flame from the burner is directed more toward the work. Decreasing the size of the cavity (sliding the bricks closer together) might help too.
Made a little more progress with the small one. Just a little polising to do, then on to finish the original one that I started.
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I have not made a hidden tang knife yet. I am working on one now. I did not like how mine looked with the crown or where the horn meets the head. I was thinking mine would look better with the crown part cut off then I would add a few leather spacers, and a 1/8th inch brass guard. What do you think, will it work. I think it would look better on the horns you have. The on I have is just a spike, I may just end up making the handle out of wood or something. Keep up the good work
This being my first attempt, I don't think I can offer any advice. I've never done any work with antlers before (smells like a dentist office when you cut and drill). As far as the leather spacers and brass guard - sounds like it would look good.
Crash - I have to ask. Is the fire extinguisher in the pic above for you to use on the forge if it goes wild OR for your wife to use if you're running around the back yard in flames?
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
The fire extinguisher was for me to use. The garden hose and bowl of popcorn (not pictured) was for her.
Now that right there is funny, I don't care who you are.
Tracks Across the High Plains...Death on the Bombay Line...A Touch of Death and Mayhem...Dead Rock...The Griswald Mine Boys...All On Amazon Books.
Looks good Crash! I found that a Farriers File works well for shaping antler this way you don't have to get the fine dust all over. Any idea how the forging turned out? Hopefully I will get started on my forge this weekend. I have borrowed a hardness tester, this may allow for me to test some scrap forging and see what gets me the ideal forging. Strength is also a concern, I think it may be better to quench only the edge of the blade to keep the shank from getting brittle since I am using High Carbon steel. Did you vertically quench your blade? I am also studying up on what is known as the spark test whereas you grind against stock and the color and distance of the sparks relates to carbon content of steel. This would allow testing of unknown materials. Also an FYI mild steel is made one of 2 ways in the US. The older northern mills actually mine iron ore to produce steel, then there are mini-mills that operate almost exclusively on scrap metal for raw materials. Knowing the origin of your material could help when trying to obtain quality material.
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
I did a little light whittling and cutting after I sharpened it. Seems OK. I quenched it the only way I had seen - motor oil in can, dropped it in pointy end first. I know that it's not a great quality steel, but figured best to practice on the cheaper stuff. This one (after a little more polishing) is a give away to say thanks.
Well, I finished my first knife project. I certainly learned a lot from it. All in all I ended up making three knives – the original, one to practice making scales, and another to practice with an improvised forge. I still need to work on the forge. Maybe two burners or a different design completely. In the finished knife I used the same welding tips as before, but the fit was much tighter. I used two .22 shell casings for the lanyard hole. Overall I’m pleased with the outcome. Thanks to everybody for the tips along the way. Now, on to the next project – mowing the lawn.
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........Well done, very well done.......
WOW, thats a great looking Knife. very good job.
I Wonder Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink what ever comes out?"
Lookin goood! That big one looks like it can hack down a tree for sure. Great job!
Good idea using .22 cases! Let me know how the edge holds up, talking to one of my guru engineers the other day about knife making and he thinks mild steel could be hardened to hold an edge.
Keep in mind the problem may be extremely complicated, though the "Fix" is often simple...
"Teaching a child to fish is the "original" introduction to all that is wild." CS
"How can you tell a story that has no end?" Doc Carlson
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