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Author Topic: Getting started?  (Read 496 times)

Offline paoloi

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Getting started?
« on: April 20, 2011, 10:10:00 PM »
Alright, you guys are making me envious of your talents (a lot of beautiful work is being done). I have a background in wood (carpenter/cabinetmaker), but nothing in metal. What is the best way to get one's feet wet? Can it be done on the cheap (under a couple hundred bucks)? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Offline gudspelr

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Re: Getting started?
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2011, 11:52:00 PM »
I'm proof it can be done on the cheap.  Get a copy of Wayne Goddard's $50.00 knive shop-fantastic book with a LOT of great information.  One of the best things I did was to find others who could help me along.  One guy on here actually put me up for a weekend and taught me the basics of forging and we made my first knife.  But be ware-it's one heck of an addiction once you get going.

Jeremy
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
- William Morris

Craftsmen strive to make their products both.

Offline Ragnarok Forge

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Re: Getting started?
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2011, 12:19:00 AM »
That couple of hundred  buck start turns into an expensive addiction.  You can build a one brick forge for under $100 including the torch.  You can build a post anvil out of scrap steel for $100.  If your careful 5 gallon buckets can be your quench tanks.  So a very basic shop can be done cheap.  You make most of your own tools like tongs.  One 2.5 lb hammer or sledge will work for most forging for a beginner.  Don't let money stop you.  Just buy tools and equipment as you can afford them.
Clay Walker
Skill is not born into anyone.  It is earned thru hard work and perseverance.

Offline Lin Rhea

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Re: Getting started?
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2011, 08:16:00 AM »
All good advice here.

Dont forget to spend some money or time on your most important tool for knifemaking, your mind. Get some training to cover the basics. Goddard's book is good or attend a hammer in, or both. Early successes will be encouraging and encouragement is important at that stage.
"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 Steve Nuckels

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Re: Getting started?
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2011, 11:30:00 PM »
Lots of good information, advice, and encouragement found here.  A great resource for sure.

Of course the internet is endless.

Ask and ye shall receive!

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge

Offline paoloi

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  • Posts: 62
Re: Getting started?
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2011, 08:12:00 AM »
Thanks guys, for pointing me in the right direction.

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