Would it be in poor taste to stamp (or in my case, etch) a blade you didn't actually forge? My hope is to one day build a forge, get some instruction and start banging out my own blades, but for now I'm sticking with blanks and boards. Would it be uncool to etch the blade of a knife I "only put handles on", particularly if I were to try to sell my crafts?
Rusty
It is considered to be bad form if you do not forge the blade Or grind it from knife stock to stamp it. I will not etch my logo on a knife I did not forge. Marking a knife that you did not make the blank for will draw a lot of criticism in the knifemaking world.
I would have to agree with Clay. The blade is the heart of the knife and someone looking at the stamp would logically assume that you made the blade. That does not mean the blade is not a good one. It's a very good question.
I suspected the answer, but that's what this forum is for, right?
I appreciate the input. I have my stamp designed... now to get started on that forge and look for some smithing classes. Anyone know of classes in the SE Louisiana area? :)
Thanks guys.
Rusty
I'd still get the stamp. Got to plan big. :)
Lin, I'm planning big, sir. In fact, my wife has been sending me messages with links to homemade forge how-to's and i've been looking around on the 'net for anvils and such. How small is too small for an anvil? What's a good "starter's anvil"?
Use the stamp to mark your sheath if you made them. When I first started forging Doug Campbell instructed me to stamp everything I made. I still remember how proud I was of that first knife...although I'd hate to see a picture of it now :) You will feel real good & special when you stamp your first made blade...tippit
You're already ahead in the game with a supportive wife. It's a wonderful thing.
75-80 lbs minimum. Again, plan big and get 100 lb or slightly more would be better. Fasten it down solid and it'll be good.
Your best money will be spent on your education. Please try to take some sort of a forging course, even if it's a weekend at a hammer in. Join a blacksmith organization if that's what is available and someone will have forged blades. Network.
That is why I include a "birth certificate" with my knives.
I would also suggest that up until the time you stock remove or forge your own blades, that when you sell, promote, showcase on forums, etc., any of those knives, that you disclose each and every time that you did NOT make the blade.
It's totally alright to not make the blade, as long as when offering them for SALE! that you state the origin of the knife.
If you are simply making them for your own enjoyment and use and as a hobby, and so on, it's no big deal and no one should care.
But if you SELL OR OFFER FOR SALE a knife whose blade you did not make, it's my advice that you make it known.
And make it known every time.
If you did not, people might think you were being deceitful.
People are watching and people are talking.
Good news and compliments about people come and go and people forget about it in a day.
Bad news and rumors last forever! :eek:
Thanks for the advice, Karl and others. If and when I sell anything, I will certainly be sure to claim credit for only what I've actually crafted. I've seen posts questioning that exact thing in this forum and others like it.
Lin, my wife did a bit more searching while I was on my way home and found that there is a blacksmith association that meets monthly at a shop between my home and my office. I've already filled out a contact form inquiring about instruction and hammer-ins. Thanks for that tip.
Thanks again everyone,
Rusty
Yes...be clear that you use purchased blades.
Rusty, I have to warn you. You are getting bitten by a very addictive hobby. I started buying blades from Bob Engnath many years ago. Told him someday I'd like to put my name on a knife. He said "Go ahead - you made the knife". I said "No, you made the knife. I just put a handle on it". That led to him selling me a BurrKing belt grinder. Then comes some forging classes and before you know it, you're hooked. Quit now while you still can:-)
I actually went to a meeting of a local smith association this afternoon. Unfortunately I was late having gone to the later service at church this morning so I missed the actual smithing. I did get to meet a couple of the folks and see the layout. Five "student" forges, all equipped with hand-crank blowers that looked like they certainly predate my birth. One of the guys took me around and showed me a few of the pieces they've been working on; mostly tools to use in and around the forge. Good stuff. I'll be reading up on the ABANA "Forging fundamentals: Controlled hand forging" which is the course they use when training apprentices. I can't wait until next month's meeting.
Rusty
Be patient Rusty. This might work out well for you. Blacksmithing is a very useful skill itself and will help you with hammer control and lots of other ways.
Lin, I'm as patient as they come. I'm also excited at the thought of forging. I've had enough fun doing handles and sheaths that I'm anxious to create the whole package. Finding this group that gathers 20 minutes from my house is pretty awesome.
Rusty
Speaking of hammer control. First, I'm currently making my blades from flat metal stock, it's OK to stamp them and claim them as my own? Second, I have my anvil, I'm buying a gas forge but what do I use for tongs, hammer size etc.. and where do I get them?
If you are grinding the blades yourself, by all means stamp your name on it with pride. Unless you are making tongs, you'll have to look on blacksmith sites and pick out some that will accommodate the blades you will be forging. I like a 2 lb, maybe a 3 lb hammer for general forging. It's hard to beat a ball pein, but eventually you'll probably want a cross pein.
Thanks Lin!
Start looking at flea markets and junk store for hammers and tongs. My favorite was from a flea market. But by all means get some good tongs. I need more tongs for larger steel, I have I pair of 5/8 wolfjaws from Uncle Al's and a small set that I helped Lin with, in a small way. Chris