/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
148,815 Subscribers
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
Who wants work?
Looking for a custom 3pc dinner set , I want a matching Damascus fork , spoon and steak knife with a dark red/blackish wood grained handle . If anyone on here would like to reach out and see what they can make happen for me please do .
16:01 UTC
Rate it out of 10 ..
14:26 UTC
Say hi to my little friend (16 inches oal)
80crv2 60 hrc Carbonfiber handle
12:58 UTC
Some more kitchenware
Definitely something a little goofy and different going on on here.
12:13 UTC
My latest
Been making knives for a while now but never posted any before. Nothing special here just a little skinner out of 80crv2 with a micarta handle
11:53 UTC
Someone asked me to make the knife from Predator
This was super fun. Very different to what I normally make. It truly is a ridiculous knife, but in all of the best ways 😂
03:20 UTC
Seeking Tomahawk Smith
Many years ago I watched many videos of a guy on YouTube, Craig Barr - who made very nice tomahawk heads. They were durable enough to punch through a truck door, but soft enough not to shatter. I used to covet owning one of his pieces, but I recently learned he’s been retired for some time. Does anyone know of a reputable maker? All I can find is low end stuff online. TIA
00:28 UTC
Think my buddy deserves a good encouragement for its work, huh? CPM 3V EDC pocket tanto at 61 HRC with black and orange G10 scales. 🤙🏽
22:05 UTC
Hunter knife with a Damascus steel
Hello, friends!
I'd like to present this piece, which is now finished and available.
This is a hunter knife with a Damascus steel blade, forged from 1070 and 15N20 alloys, featuring a random pattern with approximately 180 layers. The guard is sculpted from 1020 steel with a phosphated finish, and the handle is made of Violet Rosewood with a fiber pin. It comes with a hand-stitched leather sheath.
Specifications: Blade: 155 mm (6.10") Max width: 34 mm (1.34") Thickness: 5.5 mm (0.22") Overall length: 287 mm (11.30")
It is available at the link below: https://guardianknives.com.br/__hunter010b.html
21:35 UTC
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