Not only were knives made, but also an interesting feather and several bracelets (bribes for the home front for being gone all weekend). Some in the class took it farther and folded again. After folding back and reforging we ended up with 84 layer billets. Reflux, heat, reforge multiple times and then draw out and cut again. Back into the forge, then we folded it over on the anvil and forged the two parts into one. Once we were convinced the billet was successfully forge welded, we drew it out to 2-3 times the original length, then we cut it almost all the way through with an angle grinder and cutting wheel. More flux, heat, forge, reflux, reheat, reforge. Then came the power hammer to begin the forge welding process. After the first heat we fluxed and then reheated to let the flux get into the billet and start its job of displacing air and cleaning out slagg. Thankfully, and sort of disappointedly, we didn't get any pyrotechnic displays. Now we were all expecting a massive display when we took the kerosene soaked billets out of the can and stuck them into the forge. The kerosene helps get any pockets of air/etc. First up dipping the billet into kerosene for a few minutes. We started with 21 layers in our billets.
FORGING OF AN ALLIGATOR SKIN RAILROAD SPIKE KNIFE FULL
Roger and his son Jason had the billets put together, welded, and with handles attached to save time on what proved to be a FULL weekend's work. What a weekend! It started Friday afternoon. Damascus Knife Workshop Grizzly Iron Works, Phoenix, AZ Also found out that peining out the edge can cause the top of the blade to curl upwards, so you have to watch out for that and straighten as necessary. The thicker edge helps keep the blade from warping, and is easily ground/filed down in finishing. Most valuable tip I took away from the project was peening out the blade vs grinding it down and leaving a slightly thicker edge. While the knife I made is essentially a good guide to what not to do, it makes a good project since it isn't complicated and can be done by a beginner (other than me). It was an Iron Age Knife (Kvinde Kniv) taught by Beth Holmberg (California Blacksmith Association 6/2015 newsletter Indiana Blacksmithing Association newsletter 6/2015). The other I made at the California Blacksmith Association Spring Conference. One was made out of a railroad spike and could be considered a "work in progress" since it wasn't completed and could be salvaged I guess.
I've only tried to make 2 knives since I've been blacksmithing and neither turned out acceptable.
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