This is something I've been wanting to do for a hot minute. I know we've got a pretty robust community around here - there's got to be at least one person who's got a tip they can send my way.

Both of my grandfathers passed in the early 2020's. I was given a chance to go through their tools (on Mom's side he was an architect, on Dad's side he was a Porsche engineer), and grabbed at least one metal file per. Most were still salvageable (no way I'm ruining a good Grobet for this, but a worn out ol' Craftsman is fair game), but I've selected at least one file per side to use as raw materials for a knife. I've been slowly collecting tools and materials for the last several years toward that end. I'd like to make kitchen knives because I love to cook, but I'm willing to compromise there because I'm aware that takes a lot of skill.

I've got a 2-burner propane forge and a 27 gallon propane tank, a TIG welder, tongs, and I just finished fabricating a 2x48 belt grinder that I set up with a conversion so it can take 2x72 belts. I am still missing an anvil, and while I have a 2# sledge and 4.5# blacksmith hammer I feel like there's something that might fit better. I also know I need a jug of quench oil (was going to go with Parks 50).

I have several pieces of what I believe are 1095 that were gifted to me with the forge, and a few sheets of 1/8" thick 1095 plate.

There are a few things I know I need to do like setting up redheads in the concrete out in the driveway for the grinder pedestals I use for the forge and anvil, and making room for the grinder in my small shop.

I had very much planned on cutting out my first few knives so I can make things while I wait to be able to buy my anvil.

You have my respect for the journey ahead.

I will keep an eye out, on the kitchen knives.

May your efforts be rewarded by the satisfaction of the crafting, and that the following exceed your expectations.

Thanks for the kind words Monkey. I'm looking forward to seeing where this takes me.

I have a goal and a level of skill I need to achieve before I can let myself attempt honoring my grandfathers in this way. This is the first step.

Hopefully Dozer steps in soon.
He's one of our resident knife makers.

All I can say is WOW! about his work!

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...ortType=1&u=81160506

I know we have another member that makes / made knives as well, Can't remember his name off hand.
I'll be paying attention to this thread out of curiosity. PLEASE post pictures as you can, it would be interesting to see.

As far as anvils go- My buddy was using a chunk of rail (as in Rail Road Rail), was able to cut & grind it, had it on a chunk of maple from a tree that got cut down in the neighborhood. It worked well for him for a long time. He went to a local rail road yard, and they just gave him a 2 foot chunk.

Something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEQXy15SzEc

If you haven't, you might want to check out Forged In Fire on the History Channel to learn some shortcuts that work and quite a few ideas that don't.

CPD SIG, thanks for the info. I have a piece of rail on the way for me to make an anvil.



This is my grinder (please excuse the mess; I'm in the process of rearranging things in my shop space). I'm going to need to rebuild the base eventually, but this should do quite nicely in the meantime.

I'm sure you thought of it already but, just in case...

1) Safety glasses and leather apron...sparks will fly.

2) Steel toe shoes...you will eventually drop hot steel on your foot.

3) Have fun!

So I thought I would pop in here and give a little bit of an update. Sorry, no pics right now.

I made a 19(ish)# railroad anvil. It needs something to get bolted to, but I did try my hand briefly at making a chisel from O1 rounds. Things did not go according to plan; I ended up putting some tool steel TIG filler down (WeldMold 958, which is H12), and I ran out of gas halfway so I had to put the project on hold. Waiting for Amazon to pull its head out of its ass with the rest of my tool steel filler.

My RX safety glasses have been getting a workout. At least they're comfortable.

I have not had a chance to fire up the forge otherwise, but I did have to fix an issue with the grinder - I kept getting shocked because the motor ground wasn't hooked up (embarassingly, I actually changed the motor over this). Basically, the way the 3-phase power was being generated the motor was acting like a giant capacitor, and I was seeing line voltage (but no current) at the tool rest.

I have been itching to get back at it once I'm cleared to do so (hurt my back *again*, this is getting old). In the meantime I have rigidizer for the kaowool to lessen the chances of it causing health issues down the road, and more fire bricks so hopefully I can get a relatively even heat by covering the front opening.

I got a band saw for cutting scales. It's already been useful cutting a bunch of other stuff for other hobbies as well.

I want to make a timber framing slick for a friend, and a few screwdrivers for myself as well, before I start trying my hand at any KSO's.

quote:

Originally posted by vulrath:
So I thought I would pop in here and give a little bit of an update. Sorry, no pics right now.

I made a 19(ish)# railroad anvil. It needs something to get bolted to,

Take a ride around town, especially after a storm. My buddy grabbed a stump from a maple tree that fell in a neighbors yard, was able to cut it to size with a chain saw.

Look up Kyle Royer on youtube. He's a master smith who specialists in pattern damascus. He also has tutorial videos.