Recently completed my first knife during a two-day blacksmithing course. There's obviously a lot I still want to learn, but I'm happy to have finished my first piece and wanted to share it.

I'd appreciate constructive feedback from more experienced smiths. What areas of the design, finish or craftsmanship should I focus on improving for my next project?

Thanks!

(Sorry if photos aren't the best quality)

Recently I had the chance to forge my first knife and fall in love with the hobby. However as a total beginner I don’t know how to move forward. I feel like I need to learn some more before building a forge - but what would you suggest next? Shall i continue with more forgiving steels to get better at hammering and grinding or should i jump into knife grade materials since it’s better to FA/FO? Any tips and suggestions are appreciated 🤘 rock on!

P.S. Just noticed the typo on the title, sadly can’t edit it - but i’m sure you get it

This is my first ever knife project, and I wanted to showcase it. I made it out of an old Sheffield chisel I got for CA$2.00 in the basement of an antique shop, and I forged it into shape, hardened and tempered the steel, ground the bevels, sanded the blade, whittled the handle, sharpened it up, and oiled the whole thing.

I'm really proud of how it came out, and I'm impressed by the sharp edge I was able to get, despite the steep (20°) bevel, although it's not a great slicer, as it has a lot of thickness behind the edge so it can withstand heavier jobs for camping and bushcraft.

I would love to hear what you guys think!

My first forged knife i made from a railroad spike

I haven't quenched it yet and im thinking should i even bother quenching it because as much as i know railroad spikes aren't very high in carbon.

Hey everyone,

I am just getting started as a hobby, I picked up this anvil and forge and was wondering on people's thoughts and if there's anything I should do to them? Should I try and restore the anvil and is there anything extra you think I should do with the forge. It hooks up via a compressor. Is this something I should try and change or?

Anyway, I'm brand new to this so please go easy and any tips would be greatly appreciated! Mainly wanting to make knives and axe heads!

My first knife ever, any tips for improving?
It’s just a pierce of steel I cut with my angle grinder but I’m pretty happy how it turned out

First knife I've ever made and I just went to quench it but I'm pretty sure it's still soft I've read about normalizing the metal before quenching it and that I shouldn't heat up my oil but I don't know what color I should be looking for or anything like that

The knife is made out of the spring off of a strut and I'm using canola oil to quench it

Super proud of the progress on this one.

Cable over 15n20 shims with a w2 core. Gonna try for a hamon on the core's edge.

It isn’t perfect, but I learned a lot and am excited to start on the next one. Lots of defects in the blade that I’m pretty sure came from hitting it when it wasn’t hot enough, grinded out what I could. Steel is 5160. I managed to get a decently sharp edge on it between an angle grinder and mouse sander.

Any tips are appreciated . Ash handle 1095 blade and tried a mustard etch 😁

Hey everyone! I run a program in South Texas giving free bladesmithing classes to veterans and first responds.

We are planning another large class in Edom, TX (a little east of dallas) this is a 2 day event (11/14&15), and a knife show! Instructors get a free booth in the knife show, and it is constantly monitored.

Along with the class, and knife show, we have some special entertainment lined up for Sat evening. The 4x world champion armored combat league will be out giving us a show.

J. Neilson is also supposed to come out and hang out with us. Hes a big fan of our group, and hes been to a few of our events.

If you're interested please let me know! It's about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

Thanks!

Biggest thing I came to realize was that my lowest grit belt was 60 grit. I just received a pack of 36 grit belts so hopefully that helps get my shaping and beveling a little more pronounced and efficient.

Sometimes, life just sucks. But now is not one of those times.

I've been trying to make a hamon for WEEKS! I did like 6 attempts, and it makes sense I've only made like 3 knives all of which barely qualify as knives.

And finally, finally! I did it! I used this scrap piece, mixed with the fire clay with water in a cup and then painted it on, then i put it in the oven for at 50°C for 30 minutes and then at 100°C for one hour which is way faster than waiting an entire day.

Then put it in the forge and preheated connola oil to 50°C, then when the scrap got to non magnetic temperature i plunged it.

I used 40 grit cause I had it on the sander to clean it and I cant believe it actually appeared! And now... its gone cause the 40 grit scratched it off...😫

Ok, its still there but extremely faint, I assume im gonna have to bath it in ferric chloride to make it pop and sand it to a higher grit but that can wait for the proper knife. Im just glad it actually worked!!!

First attempt at making a knife. I’m wanting to make swords all I have right now is a propane forge a hammer an anvil and a bench grinder. I’m sure I’ll need a belt grinder, what else would I need and what’s the best things to know before making a sword?

Its been a long time since ive had the time and interest to craft and smith. Finally had the energy and heart to spend time in my forge after what feels like to long. This is a viking inspired broken back Seax with antler handle. Its rat tailed and epoxeyed. The blade is made from an old ferriers rasp. I hammerd the tail and blade tip down. And worked the edge with a hammer to get the angle i could work down with a handle file. Ive forgotten many things that slowly came back to me as i made it. First of many i hope to post as i get back in the swing of things.

First try at a sword length blade

Hello it's me again

After my last post it took a few days to gather the remaining materials and assemble everything properly

This is the forge right now and the first firing of the forge

Other than the overall shoddy welding

It appears to work as intended

Can't wait to spend tomorrow testing it out

Made out of a coil spring, breadknife, a smaller nakiri and an allround knife.

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The allround knife became alot shorter than what was inteded since it cracked and broke off 🙃