This week I made the trip north to New England school of Metalwork to take a basic bladesmithing class. Monday we had a little introduction and it was off to the forge. Our instructor,  Nick Rossi gave a demo for a little blacksmithing warmup using a piece of 3/8" square stock and had us make a little wall hook.  After my third hook, he called us over to watch him do a blade demo.  Nick is a very good teacher, he takes the time to stop and explain any important details and answer all questions.  When he was done with the demo, he handed everybody a piece of 1084 and sent us back to our forge.
 I was a little nervous but it was very helpful to have the stages of the blade on the wall that you could reference.


  I have heard Lin say it before, forge as close as you can!  This is something that Nick really pushes and im glad because I think it will make me better.  
 

   After the forging was done, it was off to the classroom for a little course  on drawing and how a knife should flow.

Great stuff! I love it!

Sounds like you had a good time, and your forged knife looks well done.

Don't forget to post a photo of it finished.

Steve
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Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation

Looks like a great time was had. Thanks for sharing your impressions and images. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

Chris

Very nice.  My first few forged knives that I finished up recently weren't forged as close as they needed to be.  Took a lot of time grinding them to the finished shape.  Yours looks pretty close.  Can't wait to see it finished.

Matt

Thanks guys,
 At the end of day one, we talked about keeping our blades straight and ways to cut down on grinding.



 Day two started off with grinder safety and grinder techniques.   Then we got to choose our grinder and I feel I hit the jackpot here!



 We watched Nick do a demo on his knife nocking the scale off with an old belt and then putting on a fresh 40 to start grinding the tang. When he was done, everybody got a new belt and it was off to your grinder.  
  Before I came here, I watched a bunch of videos on grinding.  I would like to say people like Karl Anderson make this look really easy!  Its not!   I have taken a bunch of photos of all the grinders and havent decided to build or buy, I just know I will need a lot of practice when I get one.

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Hopefully more tonight!

Looking good.

That sounds like a fantastic class. Great job.

Jeremy

Looks great so far.  I built the "no weld grinder" from Midwest Knife Supply after Lin suggested it and have been very happy with it.  I went with new materials all the way around and have just shy of $500 in it.  Could do it for less if you shop around for better steel prices, used motor, etc.  I just did the flat platten for now.  Built it in two evenings after work and part of the following Saturday.  I have access to a portable band saw and bead blasting cabinet which cut a little time off but they aren't necessary.

Matt

That is a great looking grinder Matt, I have a bunch of research to
do here! Thanks for sharing!

  Yesterday and today were all about the final grind, sanding, and
Handles.      

That turned out great.  What is the handle?  

There are several other grinder designs that you can get plans for that are all supposed to be really good.  I've seen a couple that guys on TG have done.  Some look more professional than this one but require machine work and more specialized materials.  I went with this one because it required no specialized tools and the steel and hardware used are easy to find.  You can get detailed plans complete with CAD drawings for around $25.

Matt

Thank you,
 The handle material is green micarta. I have a few bows that I have to get finished up and then I will be starting on my grinder.  I would also like to buy a forge burner and am leaning to a t~rex and was wondering if anybody had any experience with them?
Thanks,
Thad

Great looking knife! Looks like that class would be worth every penny!

Good job ,Brings back good memory's for me        
You will find yourself referring back to school for a long time.

I just got a private message from Nick speaking highly of you (Thad) as a student! You made a good impression. Congratulation on a fine knife too.
 

Thanks Lin, I had a great time!  Before I left I took a sheath making class from Nick and I'm glad I did.  
 I am really looking forward to getting started on my knife building adventure!

 

Great job!

Very cood stuff. I am a bit envious of the classes you got to take. Thanks for sharing.  

Chris

 

I like the sheath.  And thanks for adding the top view.  The handle shape looks about perfect.

Matt

Very nice, great job on the knife and sheath!