Intermediate Sketching and Patterning

[gables]

I have been concentrating on my forging skills and have found three tools to be helpful: initial sketching, a pattern blade and intermediate sketching. I have some 2" wide 5160 steel I have been using to make pattern knives. I start with a sketch and then make my pattern knife to hold up next to the blade as I forge it. I have also been using the pattern knife to practice flat grinding and edge convexing. Intermediate sketching involves cooling the 1/2 forged blade and then tracing it. Within that lumpy outline I sketch the finished blade. This helps me figure out a strategy for final forging.

[Lin Rhea]

This is a smart move. I see good things coming from it.  

[akaboomer]

I agree with Lin, your on the right track. I got some aluminum from a boat maker last week for this very reason. Friday I cut out a pattern for a knife that has been in the planning stage for weeks, with design assistance from Lin Rhea MS.
 
So after work on Saturday I fired up the forge.  
The first attempt came out a little short and I didn't get the Choil pulled down and back enough.The second attempt was yeilding the same result so I tried again.     Remember when you are forging to a pattern you need to forge it just a little larger, "fudge factor", as Lin calls it.

Keep hammering, your going the right way.
Chris

[Steve Nuckels]

Very, very nice!

I'll be watching this!

Steve
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Potomac Forge