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Author Topic: Basic Forging Pictorial  (Read 822 times)

Offline Lin Rhea

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Basic Forging Pictorial
« on: March 21, 2013, 08:26:00 AM »
For those who have never forged a blade but are wanting to give it a try, here is a step by step pictorial of how I forge a small hunting blade. The link allows you to see the images individually or to play a slideshow.
  Step by step blade forging
"We dont rent pigs." Augustus McCrae
ABS Master Bladesmith
TGMM Family of the Bow
Dwyer Dauntless longbow 50 @ 28
Ben Pearson recurve 50 @ 28
Tall Tines Recurve 47@28
McCullough Griffin longbow 43@28

Offline Roughcountry

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2013, 09:47:00 AM »
Thanks Lin. I've forged a few blades but being self taught it's nice to see the right way.

Offline tippit

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2013, 10:10:00 AM »
Lin,
A picture's worth a thousand words.  These are worth a book   :thumbsup:
TGMM Family of the Bow
VP of Consumption MK,LLC

Offline Doug Campbell

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2013, 11:36:00 AM »
Good stuff Lin   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Life is wonderful in Montana!!
"BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE. BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL."
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Offline GabeO

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2013, 01:47:00 PM »
love it but dumm question what is a choil pinch..thanks
the more in your head the less you have to carry on your back

Offline tomsm44

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2013, 05:03:00 PM »
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

Very enlightening.    It never occured to me that you would start with the point down when forging the edge, but it makes sense when you think about what is going on with the metal as it is shaped.  I have several knives that I'm trying to get finished for a friend of mine.  Once I get them done, I'm hoping to try my hand with a hammer.  I'm still hoping to get up to one of the hammer ins in Ar that you told me about.  I'd like to see some of this first hand before I dive off into it.
Matt Toms

Flatwoods Custom R/D:  64", 47@28
'66 Kodiak: 60", 55@28
Redwing Hunter:  58", 53@28
Ben Pearson 709 Hunter:  58", 47@28
Ben Pearson 709 Hunter:  58", 42@28
Hoots Recurve:  56", 42@28

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2013, 06:56:00 PM »
Thank you guys.

Gabe, The choil is the very back of the edge where it sweeps up to the ricasso. Some knives dont have a choil, so dont be confused. The pinch is just that, I pinch it with the hammer and anvil to pull it down and define the back limits of the blade edge. This establishes the length of the blade somewhat. Since the remainder of the edge is yet to be beveled, you have to allow for the length to grow. So it's an estimation based on experience. It will work out about 25% longer after the edge is pulled down and the blade gets straight.
"We dont rent pigs." Augustus McCrae
ABS Master Bladesmith
TGMM Family of the Bow
Dwyer Dauntless longbow 50 @ 28
Ben Pearson recurve 50 @ 28
Tall Tines Recurve 47@28
McCullough Griffin longbow 43@28

Offline 4est trekker

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2013, 01:35:00 AM »
That is very helpful.  Thanks for taking the time to photograph and post this.   :)  When I first began forging, I always started with the tang.  I seemed to always have a real struggle with the blade as a result.  After working with a blacksmith at the local living history park, he taught me to forge the blade first.  It has made a huge difference.

Thanks again!
"Walk softly...and carry a bent stick."

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Col. 3:17

Offline GabeO

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Re: Basic Forging Pictorial
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2013, 01:29:00 PM »
thanks sir big fan of your work and of others on this site.always trying to learn
the more in your head the less you have to carry on your back

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