If you will recall, I recently asked for some pictures of forges. I wanted to make one for knife making and getting my 23 year old boy interested in something other than running the roads. Being half of a pyro anyway he jumped right in.

Our forge


Shaping of our rail road spike


This is our first project together in years and we came up with a rail road spike knife with a osage handle of course. It is 71/2" long.


We hope to do more soon, maybe a tomahawk next!

holy smokes thats cool!

Very nice, is your son interested in hunting?

Very nice and thanks for sharing.

How easy does it take and edge, and how well does it hold it. Alan

The boy likes to shoot bows. but does not hunt. He went deer hunting this year with his buddy, but my boy carried a video camera.

The knife takes an edge easily, I don't know if it will hold it long. Ain't had a chance to use it yet.

Very nice work :0)

Andrew, Thanks for the help with the forge build info.

Joe

Pretty cool Joe. Special knife whether it holds an edge or not.

awesome knife Joe and son!!!!! i'll take a couple pic's of my railroad spike hawk tommorow and post them for you.

Not much better than finding common ground with your son.    

Hey Joe, that's cool. Thanks for sharing. How's the hand doin?

WOW! that's great Joe. Can you elaborate some on the forge? Nothin like doin projects with your kids.
Dave

Hand is doing fine, just hate this hard cast they put on.

My Son was my right hand in the forge and knife project.

Forge is a simple coal forge - metal 5gal bucket with a blower fan blowing into a hole cut in the bucket. On top sits a old tire rim with some chain links for a grate. Throw in some coal and get it going, turn on the blower and that's it. Anyone can do it.


We got our coal off the RR track out back of our house. I hear quality coal is something to consider.

Very well done. Great craftsmanship and it is very unique.

ok what is the recipe for a knife like that Im all ears....thats real neat!!! marco#78..thats it????? and special gear , welding gloves??? saftey stuff???can ya melt down old welding rods... I have couple used saw blades about 12 or 14 inches round, would that make decent knife???

How simple is that!?.....There's a couple blacksmiths around here, might tap there brains for a source of coal.

no problem Joe , again nice work :0)

bayoulongbowman,

Recipie for rrs knife;
homegrown coal forge
matches
charcoal lighter
2lb sledge
railroad spike
chisle
channel locks
18" piece of rail road track (anvil)
leather gloves
long tongs
bench grinder
belt sander
file
drill
2 stainless steel pins
wood (osage)
bucket of water
used motor oil

Add 1 father and one son, mix well, pound for 5 hours, grind 30 min, sand 30 min. Apply wood and pins and sharpen to a fine edge. Shower yourself clean and post pics for the Tadganger's!

Amazing!!!