Forged or Stock removal Pros & Cons

[Steve Nuckels]

What are the pros and cons of each,  and what if any, is the advantage of forging?

Thanks Steve AKA-Tillerboy

[Ray Hammond]

forging blades is the destination of choice.It's the traditional bowhunting of knife makers...er I mean bladesmiths.

speaking for myself, once I understand knife construction well enough, I am building a shop behind my home and building a forge...and after that getting an air hammer and making my own damascus.

the journey is long, but its full of twists and turns and all ofthem are fun. Try stock removal first,and see what you think. You may just like that enough to stick with it....but a fiery beard is something I want really bad!!!!

[Ian johnson]

my dad does stock removal, so that is what I am learning, I respect people who forge, it does not look easy, but stock removal is not easy either, I dont see any pros or cons(at least from my begginers point of view), just a different way of making knives

[Starkman]

Funny thing Steve, I just posted this same exact topic on a knife forum.  Talk about a heated debate.  From what I was able to deduce from all the heated discussions were that there really aren't any.  All things being equal, forging doesn't impart anything different regarding the properties of the steel than grinding (stock removal).  However, I find it very appealing that a knife was forged and that is my own preference.  
Bob

[Lin Rhea]

Ray,
     I can tell you have a similar view as me.

     I wont get into the debate of which is better. I dont know. But I have more control over the final product by forging. I can make a thicker blade with lots of curve or a thin, straight blade. Whatever I feel like.

      I also like to make my own damascus. Having your forge set up allows you the full range from shaping to heat treat.
                                          Lin

[OconeeDan]

Forging to me, is most appealing.
Do those air hammers do ALL of the work?
Swinging a hammer wrecks my knuckles, as I have early stages of arthritis.
Dan

[kbaknife]

Dan, I don't even own any bar stock. The W1 I use is 1 1/8" round. I have 2 1/4" round W2 and my 5160 is 1 inch square.
I have a 50 pound Little Giant, but I take my big stuff over to a friend's house who has a 500 and a 250 pound Chambersburg air driven power hammers. There, I knock my big stuff down to about .300" X 1 1/2" wide and bring it back home. With my 50#er and interchangeable spring dies I attach to the hammer, I draw those bars down, lengthen, flatten, thin, etc. I work each blade I made right out of the bar, in all directions, then draw out the tang and cut off.
there is incredibly little waste this way.
When it comes to actually shaping the blade profile and tapers, still, about 80% of the work is done by hand and hammer.
I have special quillotene dies I made for my anvil for forging in choils, forging intergals, etc.
Like Lin said, I can do anything I want with that piece of steel and I'm not restricted by the dimension of the bar stock.
I'm building a 30 ton press after the Blade Show which will eliminate the trips to my buddy's place. (Which he will probably enjoy!)

[tippit]

The benefits I have with forging are all therapeutic.  Being able to make up any shape from hot steel and just the hammering work is very relaxing for me.  I don't think blades are necessarily any better...but I sure get lost in my work.  The grinding part is more focused and less relaxing...just me.  I'd like to get to Karl's situation with a nice power hammer...but I don't think I'll ever give up my hammers.  Guess I'm more blacksmith and less bladesmith...Doc

[sticshooter]

Well I just got a forge. I swing a 3#-5#-8# hammer allday and I gotta try making a knife like this. I missed out a 125# anvil for free!! But once I get one I'll be hammering.<><

[LAR43]

I've done both & I have to agree with Ray, Lin, Karl & Doc.
Forging to me puts the soul of the smith into the blade. Ya still gotta grind a little to get down to the finished blade but forging seems to be more creative right from the beginning.
Seems to be more personal than grinding away everything from a bar that isn't a knife.
JMHO . . .

Larry

[Lin Rhea]

From a practical aspect, forging just allows me to make a huge variety of blade shapes. I like to make Southwest style blade with upswept tips. I would have to have quite a large hunk of metal to remove enough stock to make what I like to make.
                                     Lin

[Leftieshot]

Lin, can you please show us that blade shape that you are describing?
Thanks

[Tyler2045]

I do not have the space to set up a forge, but when my grandpa dies he is leaving me all his blacksmith and wood working stuff. Not that i want him to die just saying i can get started then, if i have the space.

[Ian johnson]

my dad and I looked at forging equipment at the blade show, now we just need the space

[Lin Rhea]

Steve,
        This is an example of what I call a Southwest Bowie. I'm talking BLADE SHAPE. The top of the high points to the bottom of the low points makes forging almost a must for this blade. The spine is about 5/16 thick at the ricasso and tapers to the point, which makes the knife balance toward the guard area. The buttcap and choice of handle material play a big part of it's balance.
 
                            Lin