Here is something a little different from Lin. I am posting the pics for lin but he will post the comments of what is going on. Enjoy.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6292882033_99887b6d46_m.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6292892437_59c537322b_m.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6292892443_68035e914a_m.jpg) (http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6292892453_ede502045f_m.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6292892449_49a7403254_m.jpg)
Sorry for the size, for some reason I can't get the pics bigger from my phone to flickr.
Chris
OK lets have it Lin whats going on here? You still have not figured out how to use that new computer?.
like what I see!!
This was another while working in the 1800's era blacksmith shop.
I started with 9/16 round which was a coil spring. I flattened about 2 1/2 inches to about 3/8 and slit about 1 1/4 leaving some meat on the end. I started working over the horn to drift it out thinner and make it a longer loop. I got it as uniform as I thought I needed it and pinched the ricasso back to shape and refined the handle frame somewhat. I then cut off about 2 inches of the round for the blade from the parent bar and ended up with too long of a blade and had to trim it a little.
There is a lot more material in a round bar than one might realize and when you redistribute it, it goes a long way.
This blade is 2 3/4 with OAL of 6 1/4 inch.
After getting my hands on this one I am struck by the accuracy in which you forged this. The flats had to be perfect to get it to grind where the same amount of forge scale was left close to the spine. True art. Great job Lin.
Chris
The possibilties are almost endless with this simple approach to forging a blade. One could wrap the handle, put hammered copper on the ricasso, etc. for some variations to make it more artistic. It was fun to make and I will be making more.
Thats a very nice Knife.