Forge close, less grinding, more rewarding!

[Lamey]

For me the part I enjoy the most about knife making is forging the blade.  I would guess that most that forge agree.  I see alot of bladesmiths just forging a rudementary shape, then stopping to grind the rest.  Not sure why this is, and not really knocking them, just wanting to say that forging closer is much more rewarding for me.

Here is a Bowie from a few months back-


This photo is straight off the Anvil, NO grinding has been done-




This photo is after ricasso/profile clean up-







And the last pic of edge thickness as forged, this is before any grinding-

[Lin Rhea]

I agree Matt. I get some closer than others but when I have the time, I like to get it close. Of course, I am watching the heat real close on the final stages. Thats a fine forging job.

[akaboomer]

Well done Matt. I agree and also like the forging part most as well. Thats one reason I have enjoyed my venture into axes has been such a joy. Thanks for sharing.

Chris

[Lamey]

In a perfect world I could forge the blades and hand them through a slot to be finished!

[tippit]

I couldn't agree more.  I tend to almost forge to finish...but then again I like to leave my hammer marks on a blade.  I think in making a perfectly smooth blade with no marks, you have to leave enough material to grind smooth.  Just not my style...tippit

[Lamey]

true tippit,  but if you go over your forging with a flatter or close to flat finishing hammer you would be surprised how close you get without having to remove much steel at all... especially if you watch your heats and limit pitting etc...

[Steve Nuckels]

I certainly like to forge as close to finish as possible, with my lack of experience I can't get too close to finish because I typically make alot of mistakes.

Matt, your edge is real close, how much do you allow for decarb?

Steve
----------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Foundation

[Lamey]

Steve, that pic was right off the anvil, when I clean up profile im guessing I pick up another 10/15 thousands.

[Ray Hammond]

Very nice work indeed Matt!