First steps - forging knives

[Eastexasrick]

If you had orders for two, or more, the logistics would be longer piece of steel, cut two opposing with your plasma cutter and have a small chunk to toss on the swarf pile.

But where is the fun in that

 

[General Zod]

Yes, I understand that the forge welding can be tedious as the carbon will accelerate oxidizing if heated much past initial yellow, even with good fluxing. I would think that your current method has the most integrity anyway.

There's also the oxygen content inside the forge, which I'm still learning to control. Too much O2 and you'll get oxidation in the way of the weld, even with using flux. With more experience a weld would be a good option - maybe even welding a mild steel handle and spine around a carbon steel blade to make a san mai cleaver. But...that's further down the road for me.

 

[General Zod]

If you had orders for two, or more, the logistics would be longer piece of steel, cut two opposing with your plasma cutter and have a small chunk to toss on the swarf pile.

But where is the fun in that

Heh...well, I'd need a plasma cutter...

 

[Eastexasrick]

Heh...well, I'd need a plasma cutter...

Ya, just dreaming, I got to see one in use, but never could afford or justify one.

 

[General Zod]

Ya, just dreaming, I got to see one in use, but never could afford or justify one.

I've got a list...starting with a purpose-built workshop more appropriate for forging...a larger and heavier anvil...a power hammer...a hydraulic press...

 

[General Zod]

...a band saw...

 

[Wudidiz]

Power hammer and press are serious game changers. From nostalgic blacksmithing to production.

 

[General Zod]

Power hammer and press are serious game changers. From nostalgic blacksmithing to production.

A press makes Damascus more of a possibility.

 

[General Zod]

Started on attaching the handle on the reasonably sized cleaver today. I'll be grinding the metal bolsters down to match the handle shape, putting in the walnut scales, and hopefully finishing and sharpening tomorrow. We'll see how far I get.

I'll also be doing more forging on the humongous cleaver, getting the handle all the way in place and refining its shape.

 

[General Zod]

Progress on Hoji's bonechopper. Video to come.

 

[no2gates]

That looks like it's going to be a bad-ass cleaver !

 

[General Zod]

That looks like it's going to be a bad-ass cleaver !

Not only will Hoji be able to butcher an elk with it, he'll be able to use it to chop the wood he'll cook the elk over.

 

[no2gates]

Not only will Hoji be able to butcher an elk with it, he'll be able to use it to chop the wood he'll cook the elk over.

It will be like Thor's hammer. Hoji's HellBender.

 

[Axxe55]

lokking forward to the pictures of the cleaver

 

[General Zod]

The other cleaver got its handle scales today. Here it is all clamped up with the epoxy curing. I never realized juuuust how much blue painters tape a bladesmith goes through. As you can see in the second pic I've even got some cushioning the jaws of my granddad's little bench vise.

 

[baboon]

Last night I was watching some movie to put me to sleep. In it a cook came out using his cleaver as a weapon. His cleaver was more of what I would call a meat axe because of it 2 handed design. I could just picture it being used for removing the ribs from the spine. Then I think back about removing the ribs from the spine using a boning knife, separating the sternum and breaking the pelvis or popping the hips out the joint.

 

[General Zod]

The small cleaver will be very much a kitchen tool - good for chopping veggies or deboning a chicken. Hoji's bonechopper will be capable of butchering a cow just by waving it in the general direction of the target...as he drives by...

 

[Hoji]

The small cleaver will be very much a kitchen tool - good for chopping veggies or deboning a chicken. Hoji's bonechopper will be capable of butchering a cow just by waving it in the general direction of the target...as he drives by...

As it should be.

 

[General Zod]

Sunday's forging efforts:

 

[msharley]

Man! Is that KOOL!

That Leather Apron? Got ya the "Friar Tuck" look!

Pure Medieval ! Fashion Statement!


Great Work!