going old school.....really old school

[Banjo]

As a few of you may know, I have been dabbling in the field of Blacksmithing over the summer. I am discovering that there is more to this art than I ever could have imagined. I started with some simple "S" hooks, and wall hooks. Then I made some plant hangers, and a spatula for the BBQ. I also made some tent stakes and a neat little rig to hold my coffee pot over the campfire. I have also built several tools to be able to make more items, and even constructed a propane powered forge to compliment the coal forge.
Recently I have been in contact with a good friend of mine who is a Master Bladesmith in the American Bladesmith Society, and with his tips and encouragement I decided to try to make a knife. It was a lot of fun, and I will be making more. I just felt that I haden't been around here very much lately, and I should share what I've been up to with my buddies over here at the BCF.
Here's some pics for you all. I'll put the knife in a reply in a minute. I just realized it's not on my computer yet.

 

[Banjo]

As promised, here's a few of the knife as it progressed. It started as a lawn mower blade. The handle is Walnut. It came from a piece of a discarded award base. the only finish on the wood is boiled linseed oil. I took it up to my friend's house after it was finished, and he tested it for me. It tested to 55 Rockwell in the middle of the blade. the cutting edge is a bit harder. He expected that it was closer to 58 Rockwell. For a first attempt, I was pretty pleased with the results. My hope is that a few years down the road I will look back and think (I can't believe I was showing that thing to anyone).hehehehe

 

[NutmegCT]

Ben - that is *good* work! Are you now a member of the Worshipful Company and Guild of Blacksmiths, and a disciple of Dunstan?

You should consider spending at day here at OSV:

We sometimes have day-long classes and one-on-one instruction.

 

[GregW]

Great work Ben. Both creative (love the snake hook) and skilled (the knife).

 

[JPSmit]

Looks great indeed! Knife looks gorgeous. I am in awe of traditional skills (and on the plus side some of our LBC technology is not far off ;p )

Recently I was reading an article (I think on an airline) about a fellow who was making knives and literally scouring the country for a particular large (two to three foot diameter) saw blade which apparently was the "perfect" steel for knives. It was fascinating. Keep us posted!

 

[Basil]

Ben, that looks like a lot of fun (and work). Thanks for sharing!

 

[HealeyRick]

Very nice work, Ben. Loved going to the local blacksmith shop when I was a kid, Probably had been there since the 1800s. Sadly long gone now.

 

[Boink]

Great stuff.

 

[DrEntropy]

Nice, Ben. Keep it up!

My dad made several knives from industrial saw blades, primarily for meat carving and kitchen use. They were so sharp Mum was uncomfortable using them. Luckily, I have 'em now.

 

[PAUL161]

Ben, the work is super, but I have to admit, the knife is a piece of art! Keep us informed of future projects, I also loved being around a blacksmiths shop as a kid. PJ

 

[weewillie]

Nice work Ben ,love the knife, made a couple about 25 years ago from leaf springs, a bowie style about 8" blade and a skinner. the bowie handle was made from leather and capped with a piece of deer antler and the skinner handle was all antler.

 

[waltesefalcon]

Ben, that is some good work. You are certainly showing a talent for smithing.

 

[Banjo]

It's been fun. There is SOOOO much to learn, but it is nice to go out and make something from a piece of rusted junk. And for the first time in a few years I have a goal. I hope to make Master Bladesmith in the American Bladesmith Society. It will take several years to achieve. But that is the kind of thing I have been looking for. My immediate goal is the rank of Journeyman. That will be a minimum of 3 years as an apprentice before I can even apply for the test.