.....or, How I got where I am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ0Qpac8WJM&feature=share
Nice video. I'll be looking forward to the next installment. I'm always impressed with how You share Your knowledge with everyone.
bretto
This is a good thing Karl. Very nice job.
Excellent Karl, great stuff and your a natural. Maybe a new career in moving pictures on your horizon. ;)
Interesting, and looking forward to part 2.
QuoteOriginally posted by Doug Campbell:
.......and your a natural. ;)
A natural what?
Great video. I really like what you said about learning something new about your trade every year, very inspiring. This can be passed onto any interest in life, thank you for sharing.
I am about 40 mi sw of chicago myself in Bolingbrook. I would love to this spring or summer come down and meet you and visit, pick your brain.
Brock
QuoteOriginally posted by B M A:
I would love to this spring or summer come down and meet you and visit, pick your brain.
Brock
You won't need a very big basket to collect your pickin's!
QuoteYou won't need a very big basket to collect your pickin's! [/qb]
I beg to differ about that!!!
excellent Karl,following closely
Very nice Karl, I'll be looking for the #2 video.
Question, have you ever showed one of your knives to the guy you did not like. just to rub it in?
Dana
Guys, I would encourage anyone who might be new at this stuff to take note of little things that show the "philosophy" to which Karl subscribes. BMA noticed it already. Set a goal to learn, whether it's a class once a year or to go to a shop visit, or to join an organization, etc. Having a goal and sticking with it is how one achieves his level of craftsmanship. I'm sure we'll see more in the subsequent part/parts if we are watching close. It's amazing how closely my own experiences in knife making parallels Karls.
QuoteOriginally posted by DANA HOLMAN:
Very nice Karl, I'll be looking for the #2 video.
Question, have you ever showed one of your knives to the guy you did not like. just to rub it in?
Dana
Nope - but don't think I haven't thought about that a hundred times!
Thanks, Lin. I do want to point out that these are not "How TO" videos.
These are "Who Is?" videos.
Good stuff Karl. I love to learn about my craft and other topics of interest. Cool things happen when you can bring skills or knowledge together on one item.
Thanks for doing this,I can't wait to see the rest
CTT
Very nice Karl. I agree that some of the maker should be in the knives they make. It's nice to see some of the person that poured themselves into the knife. Adds personal value to each knife that leaves your shop. No doubt that you're customers will feel the same.
Chris
I am very impressed and look forward to the next vidio! :campfire: :clapper:
Enjoyed that! Well done!
Waiting for the next one!
Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
ABS Apprentice
Great video Karl thanks for the glimpse into your world and philosophy of knife making.
Well done Karl and thanks. Appreciate the insight into some of the philosophy of your knife making. Looking forward to the next segment.
Part two is up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQNVzo-MMcs
I have one question.
How did you tear your shirt?
Didn't tear it - burned it with the angle grinder.
I've set myself on fire before!
Show off!
It's good to see this Karl and for those who are setting up their equipment, this is priceless. Nice press.
I totaly agree Lin,I was needing to learn how to make Sai Mai,and was needing to make a trip over to see Karl.
Thanks to Karl saved a long drive. :thumbsup: :campfire:
I can tell you how to make a San Mai billet in about four sentences.
Three pieces of steel - one core and two sides of stainless.
1/4" stainless and about .300" core.
Clean mating surfaces.
Tack weld billet.
Wrap in Stainless foil to eliminate air.
Soak at welding temp for 19.5 minutes.
Plop billet on large flat dies and set.
Repeat.
Done.
8 sentences.
Another nice video, Karl when your done maybe Terry can post it at the top as a sticky, waiting on #3
Dana
Dana, don't forget, these are not "How To" videos!
They're "Who is" videos. I'm not trying to show how I make anything, I'm just showing "why" I do things the way I do.
If a person can learn something along the way, then that's great.
I can't, quite honestly, show why I do things or the philosophy behind them, if I don't at least show how I do some things along the way.
But the focus is more on "who" and "why", than "how".
Another great segment. Look forward to more installments.
QuoteI can tell you how to make a San Mai billet in about four sentences.Three pieces of steel - one core and two sides of stainless.
1/4" stainless and about .300" core.
Clean mating surfaces.
Tack weld billet.
Wrap in Stainless foil to eliminate air.
Soak at welding temp for 19.5 minutes.
Plop billet on large flat dies and set.
Repeat.
Done.
8 sentences.
Ha! Another example of "simple" SERIOUSLY understated :) . Just joking, Karl-I appreciate anyone who worked at stainless San Mai for a few years sharing his hard earned techniques. Great videos, too.
Jeremy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIcG6wwQsYQ
Enjoying this Karl.
Looking good, sure makes a guy want a power hammer. Bring on #4
Let me see if this works:
Play list:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD6A17E1C6955C7DE&feature=mh_lolz
Karl, this one did not pull up like the others, but it maybe my Iphone
Dana, it's my "Play list" on You Tube and I may be the only one to have access to it - I don't know.
I thought I had it configured for "Public".
Just thought it might be nice to have all the videos accessible in one place.
Great video, and look like a great guy!! It is nice to be able to "meet" with some of you true videos like that and Karl, it was nice to see your shop and the way you think!!!
Karl, it will bring all three of them up, I thought you had posted a 4 th on your last post, my bad
Dana
Karl these have been very informative videos. Thanks for taking the time to present them to us.
Part 4 is up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tht0SiVpeuo
Loading #4 now, looking good Karl and I meant you were a natural in front of the camera... :rolleyes:
You really should get you some safety glasses and ear plugs though... :readit:
I have a dozen pair of glasses.
The shop is only about 1/3 as loud as it seems on these videos.
I'm normally more conscientious than on these videos, but I need to talk here and hear my videographer and see what I'm doing, etc.
When I'm alone it's different.
Karl, are you going to take us through the hole knife are just the forging, I'm hoping for the hole thing. Thanks
Dana
Dana, until it goes out the door.
I'm just jealous, can't get by without my bifocal safety glasses and optivisor any more... ;)
This is a great series of videos! I really enjoy them!!
Thank you for taking the time.
Thanks for taking the time to do these videos. I have picked up many little things from them. I like all of the various tools, jigs, holders, etc that you have made- like the double rebar extension to the knife steel.
I am still learning forging and how to get the metal to go where I want. I only have hammers and muscle at this point.
I was having trouble visualizing where the steel was going on this one as you refined the drop and ricasso. When you used the ricasso smacker I visualized the bottom of the ricasso mushrooming. The you put it on the press and flattened it which I would think would push the bottom of the ricasso back down. Can you help me rethink this?
QuoteOriginally posted by gables:
Thanks for taking the time to do these videos. I have picked up many little things from them. I like all of the various tools, jigs, holders, etc that you have made- like the double rebar extension to the knife steel.
I am still learning forging and how to get the metal to go where I want. I only have hammers and muscle at this point.
I was having trouble visualizing where the steel was going on this one as you refined the drop and ricasso. When you used the ricasso smacker I visualized the bottom of the ricasso mushrooming. The you put it on the press and flattened it which I would think would push the bottom of the ricasso back down. Can you help me rethink this?
It will push the ricasso back out - SOME! - from time to time, so you just do it again! A little at a time. Sometimes I may do it three or four times before I get it where I want it.
Sometimes the spine mushrooms as well, so you just keep knocking things around until they go where you want them to be.
That re-bar extension is still welded to the Mother billet of Damascus that was welded to it to make the billet. Why take it off?
I hate tongs - with a passion!!!!
When you have your knife steel welded to a bar, you can knock that piece of steel anywhere you want and as HARD as you want.
Get the blade portion of the knife completely DONE!! and then cut it off and do the tang.
Just the way I do things.
I think I understand what Gabriel is asking and saw Karl do something specific to push the steel in a different direction than back downward. Go to video 4 and to minute 6:00 where he makes some refinements of the ricasso on the power hammer.Notice that he is across the dies drawing the "mushroomed" ricasso backward toward the parent bar insted of just a mere flattening.
One thing that we often assume is that the steel mushrooms when hit in such a way as Karl was hitting the ricasso bottom. If the steel was not hot enough, it would indeed mushroom. But this is where an experienced smith will heat it hot enough to move the core of the steel too not just the "skin" . It will all move at the same time effectively thickening it. Upsetting is the proper term. I suspect that is exactly what Karl did. Then when he turned it square across the dies, the flow of material went completely another direction.
That's a good dissertation, there, Lin.
Everything in forging is not chiseled in stone - things don't always come out the same or work the same.
Some blades are longer, or wider, or thicker. You just have to see how this one wants to move, pay attention to where you want it to go, don't get in too big of a hurry and just keep nudging it that direction.
I try to get my blades forged in as big a hurry as possible. I am of the firm belief that every time you stick that blade in the forge - it's burning up.
This blade in the videos took much longer to forge than I normally do as a result of the filming process and time I spent talking and not wanting to make mistakes, etc.
Quoteso you just keep knocking things around until they go where you want them to be.
That is some great advice there, no need to panic, heck if you go too far just make a little smaller knife... ;) After a few blades things will start falling into place and you'll say "that's what he was talking about".
Again, great job Karl, thanks :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Just watched #4 ,Great job :thumbsup:
You are much smoother than me!
I'm looking forward to seeing this knife through to the end. Very informative. Thanks Karl.
Pretty boring for the most part:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6bncbUpzhU
There is nothing Boring about it, i enjoyed every min.
Dana
GOOD STUFF!
Thank you for your effort Karl.
Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
ABS Apprentice
Part 6 is on the air:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PT5TfyoY3U
Karl, just watched Part 6 of your video series.
I find them very informative and worthwhile watching. While you are talkng about who you are and your philosophies of knife making, you are providing both the new and experienced knife maker with a tremendous amount of advice and how-to tips.
Right at the end of #6 you talk about good grinding and sanding. Right after the light went on, I said to myself....geez!....how bloody basic, been sanding till I was almost sick of it. :knothead: Thanks for making me feel like the amateur that I am, :bigsmyl: .
I appreciate the insight into your knifemaking as well as the many pointers that will help me with mine. Thanks very much and keep them coming. :thumbsup:
Don't forget part 6!
http://tinyurl.com/7fva6rc
Just watched 7...
Nice to meet you Mr. Andersen!
Karl,
What type of magnet did you use on that grinding block?
It's just one of those tool bar magnets for mounting on your bench to hold tools.
I just mortised a slot in a block of wood to hold it.
http://www.magnetsource.com/Solutions_Pages/toolbrs.html
Good job on the vidieo Karl :thumbsup:
I don't think Karl will mind me saying
I got some magnets from Harbor Frieght (real cheap and lots of different sizes)
Not at all, Kevin. That link is not where I got mine, I've had them so long I don't remember where I got them.
I just used that link to show what they were.
I would imagine one could get them at any hardware store or big chain store.
I know your intent was not a teaching video Karl but your explanation on grinding and sanding was spot on. It was one of the obvious things in life we over look just so we can make things difficult.
Must be editing #7 I got a private video message when I tried to access it. I try again later.
I got the same message for both parts 6 and 7. Hopefully, we can get on to see them soon. I have really enjoyed the first 5!
Allan
I can't view #6. Karl, will you please grant me access? (or tell me what I need to do to see it?) Thanks
Just hang tight! Getting uploaded this evening I think.
Thanks! Can't wait! I was home from work today nursing some intestinal disharmony and was able to watch the first 5. Now I don't feel like I wasted my day!! In fact, I learned more here than I would have at work. Thanks Karl, for taking the time to do these videos. You are helping more people than you realize and it's great to be able to put not only a face to the name but also see your personality!
OK - got part #6 with my contact info on it now and she's back up and running.
Part #7 coming shortly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nQ8oVPXffc
Loving every minute of every video, Karl!
Allan
#7 is back on line:
#8 coming shortly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG-8emON8QY&feature=g-all-u&context=G2efa8a3FAAAAAAAAAAA
Part #8 is on line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RVXNAuWqiM
Karl, nice video, question and I may be putting the cart before the horse here, but then you are grinding the blade from ricasso to end of tang and there is a width difference in the tang and ricasso will the ricasso have a bevel on it, front to back? I think you surface grind the ricasso but I may be wrong, let me know or I can wait for #9
thanks Dana
Dana, I'm only grinding about a few thousandths taper from the front of the ricasso to the end of the tang.
Next, I will take the knife to a variable speed, reversible disc sander and flatten it even more.
Across the length of the ricasso from one end to the other, it really does NOT need to be flat! Only from top to bottom.
That said, if I had a surface grinder - I would use it and the ricasso would be perfect.
#9 made it up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5lBrLn8fHE&context=C3247160ADOEgsToPDskIFddZkSvr6oFISevZP_aCZ
Karl- How could one obtain the plans or the built frame for the disc grinder you show?
Karl, I know this is how you build your knives, but you are showing me a lot of different tricks or short cuts, Can't wait for the rest of them, Thanks
Dana
QuoteOriginally posted by gables:
Karl- How could one obtain the plans or the built frame for the disc grinder you show?
I would not know the answer to either one of those questions.
The guy who built them only made a few of them, and I got the last one. He really only built a handful for his own production. He has four disc sanders lined up in a row on a bench.
He had two extra frames sitting on his table for sale last year at the Badger Knife Club show in Wisconsin and I got the one you see here.
I know of no plans.
I will see him in a few weeks back at this same show and see if I can get him to make some more.
They're the best I've seen.
Karl,
Where can I get a respirator like the one you talked about? I tried Google but no luck
QuoteOriginally posted by Craig B:
Karl,
Where can I get a respirator like the one you talked about? I tried Google but no luck
http://www.resp-o-rator.com/
Thanks
#10 made it!
http://youtu.be/KiFPAgSpMf4
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I check back every day to see if the next vid is ready, they are an amazing insight to art you make and the artist behind it. Thanks again, Ill be waiting for #11