Forging

[cdworks]

I know some on here forge their own blades. Can you kinda give a how-to on the process and the tools needed? i have been interested in this for years.

Thanks in Advance!

[Bobby Urban]

www.iforgeiron.com

all you need to get started

[Wampus]

Well you'll need a forge.  Some use coal or charcoal with good success but I like propane myself.   I built mine from the directions on Don Fogg's website here:    http://www.dfoggknives.com/forge.htm    works great and didn't cost a whole lot.

Here's a good dvd you can buy that shows how to make and use a simple charcoal forge and the steps to finish a knife with no power tools.    http://www.livelyknives.com/knifemakingvideo.htm  

The best way would be to get some hands-on instruction from a local bladesmith.  The Alabam Forge council is a blacksmithing organization but they have lots of knife guys in their ranks and they sponsor the Batson Bladesmithing symposium every spring at Tannehill park near Birmingham.  There are a couple of chapters that arent too far from you in Bryant and Huntsville if you can make it to a meeting or at least contact the local chapter leader to get some info:    http://www.alaforge.org/Meeting_schedule.htm

If you want the best in instruction and can afford the time and money to go, the ABS has a school near Hope, AR with classes in various aspects of forging and finishing knives.

 http://www.americanbladesmith.com/absschoolschedule.htm  

Also Larry Harley of Bristol, TN has classes at his shop:    http://www.lonesomepineknives.com/classes.asp

[CHUCK IN PA.]

HEY CD,
I HAVE BUILT A COUPLE OF FORGES
A COAL BURNER OUT A DISCARDED GAS GRILL AND HAIR DRYER.THE ONE I USE THE MOST IS AN OLD TURKEY FRYER AND SOME FIRE BRICKS.IT IS ALOT FASTER THAN THE COAL. GOOD LUCK.

[Lin Rhea]

There is some great advice above, especially about the Tannehill event. Make plans to go! You wont regret it. Take the whole family.

For shear enjoyment, I will sometimes drag out my coal forge and have some guys (and kids) over and just play around making decorative hooks, pokers, leaves, etc. You'll soon associate the coal smell with a fun time and actually get to liking it.    

                              Lin