/r/Bladesmith
A subreddit for the metalworkers who specialize in forging knives and other blade tools. Swords, daggers, kitchen cutlery, carving chisels, etc. Come in, look around, ask a question, learn, and have fun.
Welcome to Bladesmith! The art and craft of forged blades.
This place is welcome to everyone, from master artisans, to beginners, to people that just like knives and learning and sharing their knowledge
1) Post anything related to bladesmithing.
2) All official AMAs must be Mod approved with verification.
3) Keep comments respectful and on topic.
4) Blatant self promotion and for sale posts are not allowed. You are welcome to make transactions private, but please don't post your website or prices. LINKS TO BLOGS AND WEBSITES ARE CONSIDERED SELF-PROMOTION.
5) Posts that address questions easily searched or answered in the WIKI will be removed.
Click HERE to get to the WIKI.
User Submitted Content:
Kiln Build by meepstah
Large and in Depth List of Wood for Handles
Dirt Cheap Guide to Knife Forging
Useful links and Information:
Heat Treating Tool Box- Kevin Cashen's detailed guide to heat treating
Knife Shop Safety and PPE by Jim Ferguson (Downloadable, Right Click, Save As)
Absolute Cheapskate Way To Start Making Knives (Downloadable PDF)
Bob Engnath Knife Patterns (PDF)
Nick Wheeler- Hand sanding 101 (YouTube)
Steel: The “welding steel” at Tractor Supply/ Lowes/ Home Depot is mild steel and useless for knives Buy new, known, annealed blade steel. It is well worth it. Files, railroad spikes, lawnmower blades and other unknown steels can definitely be used for practice forging but will not perform for a knife. For the work involved, it is very cheap to buy and use known good steel.
1084FG sold by Aldo Bruno is formulated for Knifemaking, Cheap & made for DIY heat-treat. http://njsteelbaron.com/ Phone # 862-203-8160
His telephone service is better than his website.
Kevin Cashen Heat Treating Info
Heat Treating Basics Video (downloadable) Right click and save this and watch it often
Heat Treat services:
Air Hardening Stainless Steel Only A2, ATS34, Elmax, CPM154, 154CM, 440C etc.
Buck Knives- Paul Bos Heat Treating
Oil Hardening Carbon Steels and Air Hardening Stainless Steels Oil quenched O1, 1095, 1084, 52100, 5160 Or air quenched A2, ATS34, Elmax, CPM154, 154CM, 440C etc.
Knifemaker CA (Canadian)
-Be sure to check the Shipping and Price tabs
Quenchants for Oil hardening steel
Forget the Goddard's Goop Quench, Motor Oil, Transmission Fluid
Use commercial quench oil & match oil speed to the steel type Here is a good post by Kevin Cashen with the Explanation and classification of oil speeds
For heat treating yourself with minimal equipment, find a Eutectoid steel 1080, 1084. Grocery store canola oil can work well -if you use clean preheated oil
Brine and water are cheap for "water hardening" steels W1 and 1095, but use fast oils Parks 50 & Houghton Quench K If you use water or brine, expect broken blades!
For more general blacksmithing, check out our friends at /r/blacksmith
Check out /r/ChefKnives for all things regarding culinary cutlery
Gunsmithing /r/gunsmithing
Want a knife made? /r/MakerMesh
A place where both metal bangers and grinder monkeys are welcome /r/knifemaking
Like general knife discussion? /r/knives is the place for you.
Making knives isn't your thing, but the metal still calls? Here ya go: /r/metalworking
Need help with a different type of craft besides steel? Search here: /r/ArtisanHelp
A marketplace for 100% hand crafted goods /r/ArtisanGifts
For equipment and tool buy/sell/trade /r/bladesmithswap
Want to talk about knives and share yours? /r/knifeclub
/r/Bladesmith
148,874 Subscribers
First knife update
Greetings bladesmiths: Last week I posted this https://www.reddit.com/r/Bladesmith/comments/1ia4ub9/first_knife_everybodys_got_to_start_somewhere/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
and I wanted to provide an update that I decided to go the rest of the way and file the blade and then sand it. I unnecessarily progressed to an imperfect mirror finish for a bush knife, but I wanted to see what I could achieve. I also made a simple leather sheath that has a nice snug fit.
21:28 UTC
Lil guy
Made this from a scrap piece of Damascus
02:00 UTC
Newbie question
Was wondering if this burn will affect my heat treating ?
22:40 UTC
Failed at first knife attempt. Trying again on Banana Knife
22:40 UTC
Forging a skewer for snacks
21:44 UTC
Couple of knives I got in the process right now, what do you guys think.
I love discussing knives and implore you to ask questions or voice your opinions about anything you see!
14:47 UTC
etching multiple knives
hey folk simple(maybe stupid) question: can i etch multiple damast knives at the same time in the dame container or is there a risk of heating up becouse of galvanic current? especially if there is a cu-mai blade involved?
thank you
14:39 UTC
Progress thus far on a machined Anduril
Blade and guard are machined and now just need a “human” touch. I’ve never had to heat treat a blade this long, anyone have any suggestions? My forge is about 24” long and has a 5x5” opening on both ends. Material is 80crv2
00:26 UTC
21:44 UTC
21:44 UTC
What are the best schools for sword smithing?
I've been making blades for a year and a half. I've made 31 and sold 24 of these blades. I want to start making swords from the 17th 18th and 19th century, but I still need more knowledge.
Is there a bladesmithing school that puts focus into swordmaking? Which would be the best one?
20:50 UTC
I forged right???
18:59 UTC
On d2 used for this knife ...how its looking?
18:53 UTC
Question about mosaic pins
16:34 UTC