Basic Forging Pictorial

[Lin Rhea]

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

[Roughcountry]

Thanks Lin. I've forged a few blades but being self taught it's nice to see the right way.

[tippit]

Lin,
A picture's worth a thousand words.  These are worth a book  

[Doug Campbell]

Good stuff Lin      

[GabeO]

love it but dumm question what is a choil pinch..thanks

[tomsm44]

             

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.

[Lin Rhea]

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.

[4est trekker]

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!

[GabeO]

thanks sir big fan of your work and of others on this site.always trying to learn