Railroad Spike Tomahawk Demo

[Ludan94]

I find kind of too bad to use power tools after making a tool all out of heating and hammering... But o well, I guess sometimes skipping a good share of hours sharpening it by hand is worth breaking some of the magic of making a tool by hand ;)

[nohairguysrevenge]

remove your thumb from the handle of the hammer....... that could come back to hount ya one day

[PanORotta]

now thats redneck! or an experienced blacksmith

[MoRockHound]

i have a question. shouldnt you have done the final shaping before you quenched it? to me it doesnt make sense you get the crystal stucture almost the same throught out the piece and then change it with a grinder. just asking to learn

[ArtistBlade1972]

@MoRockHound A grinder is not gonna change the structure of the steel. As long as you keep it cool and use sharp abrasives there is little danger of tempering. You want it be pretty close to final dimensions before quench, but your edge must be kept on the thick side to avoid decarburization. Final grinding is always done after heat treat.

[Oxidized181]

0:16 **tries to click on number** oh...

[TheJamesloy]

What is the powder that you put on it?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@TheJamesloy Borax, used as a welding flux.

[Super1builder]

@ArtistBlade1972

That truly is an art! Nice piece. What would that sell for?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Super1builder Thanks man. I'm not really sure. I've never sold one. I make knives to sell mainly. This was the second hawk I ever made.

[PlebScrubber]

craft a simple rifle with your metal work skills

[kengriffeth]

id like to buy one of those

[yoicho37660]

What size anvil is that ? It looks like my fisher 80 pounder.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@yoicho37660 Not sure, this was my friends anvil. It's around the 80lb mark though.

[viper2788]

what are you using to heat the steel glowing orange? also, could i possibly forge a high carbon steel using your method? thanks.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@viper2788 A coal forge, and absolutely you can. I very seldom forge anything that's not high carbon steel these days...

[Sam0Swee]

@ArtistBlade1972

What kind of coal?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Sam0Swee Bituminous, but you can use anthracite or coke or whatever you can find.

[Sam0Swee]

@ArtistBlade1972

So...Charcoal which you use for BBQ is o.k?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Sam0Swee Hardwood lump charcoal is ok.

[stv95yz801]

@Sam0Swee i've used maple lump charcoal and had good results

[Sam0Swee]

@stv95yz801

I'm gonna give it a try with some random store bought charcoal...See what happens (it'll probably take longer to heat up properly).

[stv95yz801]

@Sam0Swee do what i did. rig up a small fan to blow on the coals. gets it alot hotter alot quicker.

[Sam0Swee]

@stv95yz801

I was already thinking about setting up a fan, I'm also gonna put in a valve which will regulate the airflow. What kind of fan do you use?

[stv95yz801]

@Sam0Swee i just used a regular desk fan and positioned it right

[TridentSurvival]

I'm about to start metal working, how difficult is this project?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@TridentSurvival It varies for different people. The hardest part aside from the forge weld will be slitting and drifting the eye straight. I suggest if you're new to things like this, you start with a higher carbon steel such as drill rod to eliminate the forge weld, and that you drill 2 - 1/8" pilot holes close together exactly centered in the steel. This will guide your slitting chisel straight. Hope this helps.

[navyseal890]

This is a wonderful art. I myself cold forge and refuse modern tools when making historic pieces

[ArtistBlade1972]

@navyseal890 You should post some of your work brother.

[TheMexican259]

this type of thing is a lost art

[jacobkozakiewicz18]

and what were those big pliers u used called?

[jacobkozakiewicz18]

how does one get into a guild?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@jacobkozakiewicz18 Search your area, you may have one nearby... The "pliers" are called tongs.

[TheDeputydawg24]

Very cool man. You are quite the artist. Thanks for explaining metallurgy on the SugarcreekForge vid! It helped.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@TheDeputydawg24 Well thanks brother, glad that helped out some.

[coolcat87100]

Can I join the guild it looks and sounds very interesting to make amazing stuff like this and I respect the art of blacksmithing oh and I really want to make a sword

[AD49938]

Absolutely skillfull. Fantastic!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@AD49938 Well thanks.

[TheBigyoc]

are the bull pins that you used to drift the hole open coated with something special to keep them from fusing to the piece? and what is that salt looking stuff that you keep sprinkling on the hot metal? I'm very interested in this art now.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@TheBigyoc No, they are painted when new but it's best to knock that paint off because it doesn't smell nice when burning :) The drift would never fuse weld inside the eye because the drift would have to be at welding heat to do so. The salt looking stuff is borax, used as a welding flux to inhibit oxidation.

[MrJohn714]

Great video, nice work!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@MrJohn714 Thank You Mr John!

[walatalalaw]

I tried some very basic smithing with a blowtorch, but it just couldn't heat the metal enough. I gotta find a way to make a cheap forge, and find some sort of anvil.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@walatalalaw make a brake drum forge brother. Cheap, easy to build, and effective.

[thedreamliner2012]

What is the powder your sprinkling on the work piece?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@thedreamliner2012 It's borax, used as a welding flux.

[Wtfever3]

Cool ty bro. Thats gonna b thick enough to handle all the heat?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Wtfever3 Yeah they work well man. I usually line my firepot with refractory clay, but you can use kitty litter ground up mixed with vermiculite as a good substitute, or you can even just use plain ole dirt... They work best when shaped as a shallow inverted cone.

[Wtfever3]

A break drum from a Semi or full size pick up?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Wtfever3 Something small. Pickup is fine.

[hivv8vvictor]

still dontunderstand what's the hole for..

[ArtistBlade1972]

@hivv8vvictor Seriously?

[kingkb95]

@hivv8vvictor im in the same spot what purpose does the hold have it just look weird and well doesn't seem to do anything



[ArtistBlade1972]

@kingkb95 Guys, a tomahawk is mounted on a handle much like an axe. That's what the hole is for...

[kingkb95]

@ArtistBlade1972 ...oooh alright i get it now so you have a wooden handle for it and its 2 sides with on pick side and one axe side that makes sense i figured the whole thing was the axe with the curved side the handle haha but this is a really cool project nice work

[Wtfever3]

Awesome! I bought an anvil about the same size. I just need to find out how to build a decent forge on a small budget. I love the art of shapeing metal. Great work!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Wtfever3 Just build ya a small brake drum forge brother. Very easy to build. Very cheap.

[Dave1998ish]

"Smithing increased to 30"

[Andaverde]

how strong it that?



[ArtistBlade1972]

@Andaverde Is there a specific area you are referring to or just in general?

[pjstoneson]

Great work. Thanks for the video. How long was this process from start to finish?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@pjstoneson Maybe 30 mins or so?

[ytdcfjhvjvp0j]

0:35

Old man is like "...the fuck?".

[MrTdawg75]

awesome! just freakin awesome. i hope to start learning blacksmithing soon. its amazing what you guys can do.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@MrTdawg75 Give it a shot brother, it's fun.

[dwdavis73]

This is art. I was wondering how does one get started what tools and such do you need? Are there people willing to take on a know nothing and teach them?



[ArtistBlade1972]

@dwdavis73 Thanks man. Basically all ya need to get started is something to heat steel with, something to beat on, and something to beat with :) There may be a blacksmith or bladesmith in your area. If there is I'm sure he'd be willing to teach you some things.

[HomeMadeGunNut]

@dwdavis73 Hardest thing to find is an anvil though.

[nathanairchimesP135R]

What's the hole for?

[CaptiveDesigns]

@nathanairchimesP135R THE HANDLE!! haha jk but yea the handle

[2244113322441133]

were can i buy a railroad spike

[ArtistBlade1972]

@2244113322441133 Walk the tracks and pick some up, they're usually pretty plentiful. It's not like ya have to use a rail spike for this though, pretty much any stock will do as long as ya add a high carbon core.

[teknofil007]

Hei:)

Thanks fore very nice video.

I like this a Lot...

[ArtistBlade1972]

@teknofil007 You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[turdsgalore2314]

thanks for the demo... I was hoping i could pull out the old blacksmithing set...

[ArtistBlade1972]

@turdsgalore2314 So pull it out man... Hammer out some stuff

[billwilliam20]

Very nice video. I have made tomahawks out of spikes (with out the 1095 inset) for boy scouts demos and they are fun.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@billwilliam20 Excellent brother, you should make a few with a high carbon core. They are actually very useable tools then.

[TheSodomundGommorah]

good work man or on Serbian "Alal Ti Kurac!!!"

[ArtistBlade1972]

@TheSodomundGommorah Thanks man.

[v8power101]

what is the powder you are putting on there?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@v8power101 Borax

[deaassassin]

YOU SHOULD THROW THAT AT J B

[arowguy]

Trow it then jees

[ColibriMONOPOL]

Hope this does not sound dumb, but why start with a rail spike?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ColibriMONOPOL It's not dumb brother. No particular reason other than it's a novelty and a lot of people like to make things from them. They don't make good cutting tools unless they have a high carbon core as does the one in the video.

[ColibriMONOPOL]

@ArtistBlade1972 Could you make a Japanese style sword out of a rail spike, where you heat then flatten out the metal then fold it over to double it. This would then be repeated till you have a long thin piece witch is very strong.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ColibriMONOPOL You could fold it an draw it out until you're blue in the face and it's not gonna make it any stronger. You'd end up with basically the same thing you started with. The process you are referring to is a refinement technique used to equally distribute the carbon content in bloomery steel such as tamahagane. Modern steels do not benefit from this as they are already homogenous. You may like the videos of me making a khopesh sword on my channel.

[AUSTINM334]

how long did the whole process take?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@AUSTINM334 Not too much longer than the video. 30 mins or so probably.

[Moncantha]

no guard on the grinder if that disk shattered you'd be a a whole lot of trouble.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Moncantha I've had a few of em shatter and I've never found the guard to be much of a help when it happened...

[protosoph]

That's fantastic looking. Really wanted to try my hand at blacksmithing for years. Grandfathers are both carpenters and i always enjoy playing around in their shop and carving my own smoking pipes, this just looks so much more rewarding though! Keep up the good work. ^_^

[ArtistBlade1972]

@protosoph Thanks brother, you should give it a try sometime. It's a lot of fun.

[AUSTINM334]

is it weird for a 12 year old boy to want to make one?

anyway love the video!!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@AUSTINM334 No it's not weird, you should give it a try. Get your parents to help ya get the necessary things.

[AUSTINM334]

@ArtistBlade1972 ok thanks

[acidjoker21]

Crafting Skill +1

[ArtistBlade1972]

@acidjoker21 Thanks man

[061342]

It was relaxing to watch you forge for some reason. Thanks for the video.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@061342 You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[thatstupidpyro]

cant wait to get a place of my own, always wanted my own forge, but nice job by the way.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@thatstupidpyro They're easy to build brother.

[nutsinasling84]

+ 1 more subcriber, you are a true master of craft, i wish i had that kind of creative skill:)

[ArtistBlade1972]

@nutsinasling84 Thanks a lot brother. Nice name :)

[astro1218]

looks like dogs balls

[obee508]

@astro1218 bet it would work just fine for bashing in your skull.

[astro1218]

@obee508 i love you to

[nanashi1o3]

what kind of steel was the railroad spike made out of

[ArtistBlade1972]

@nanashi1o3 Railroad spikes are typically a simple steel with copper added to improve corrosion resistance. Carbon content is typically 0.3% in high carbon spikes and 0.1% in low carbon spikes...

[masterbaits1]

what was the stuff you sprinkled on it and what does it do

[ArtistBlade1972]

@masterbaits1 Borax, used as a welding flux.

[05you2]

I'm really interested by how you welded on a high carbon steel blade edge. Do you have a video about that process?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@05you2 Well you can pretty much see how I do it in the video, but I have a couple more forge welding vids. Check out the one called "welding in a coal fire" I explain a little about the process and weld up a piece of cable. The process for forge welding doesn't change much no matter what you're welding.

[zeuqsav]

Great work!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@zeuqsav Thanks.

[diesellifter]

@ArtistBlade1972 just watched the vid im 25 s.c. welder and would love to learn this art

[ArtistBlade1972]

@diesellifter So give it a shot brother. It's a fun craft for sure.

[RatkoUSA]

How come you didn't make a pipe bowl on the back side?

Yeehaw!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@RatkoUSA Well I've never done it, but I suppose it would be interesting to try.

[NiteStar131]

@ArtistBlade1972 It was probably said as a joke but it would be a hell of an idea, two headed peace pipe, peace one way or another LOL I would hit it. Well done on the Tomahawk well done

[ArtistBlade1972]

@NiteStar131 I've seen lots of em, but never tried making one... Thanks for the compliment.

[scottbroman]

I love how anyone who does something than sit on their ass on a computer all day is considered a redneck what happened to everybody man.

[mrmysery1984]

Metal: the original Play-Doh.

[joelcarb]

redneck

[ArtistBlade1972]

@joelcarb Yep

[laphant1]

no gloves ..does not hit hands...skill yes ..congrats ..laphant 1 ..nice work...humble man of significant skill..no bull...just results..good vid..

[ArtistBlade1972]

@laphant1 Thanks brother.

[SIurm]

i hope somebody was BBQ'ing up some pig in the background i got hungry just watching you forge the axe

[dasgemuse]

and then power tools came out and ruined it.... :(

[ArtistBlade1972]

@dasgemuse Sorry brother I'm not a purist.

[hghplnsdrftr1]

if you are ever wanting to unload a couple, please keep me in mind...I would like first crack at 'em if you would allow...

[bloodbathism]

7:02 BRING OUT THE PUNISHER!

[hghplnsdrftr1]

that is just fantastic...love that idea....are you selling these complete?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@hghplnsdrftr1 Thanks man. I guess I could, although I'm mainly a bladesmith. This was only my second tomahawk :)

[djwalt8]

Nice work ! I am going to build a small brake rotor forge to try my hand at this stuff... Not sure if i can do it or not with carpal tunnel though :( What was that you were sprinkling on the spike head when you were adding that piece of flatstock ?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@djwalt8 Give it a shot brother. It's borax, used as a welding flux.

[djwalt8]

@ArtistBlade1972 ok thanks I will see what i can do when i get around to building the forge !

[wisconsinite08]

Do you have any idea what kind of steel the spike is made of? Simple carbon steel?

P.S. what did you do to your left hand knuckles? Stitches?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@wisconsinite08 They are usually made from simple carbon steel generally with copper added. Carbon content ranges from 0.1% to 0.3% for high carbon spikes. They are not good steel for cutting tools unless you insert a high carbon core as I did in the video. I have no idea what I did to my knuckles. It's been over a year since I made this vid and I'm constantly getting scrapes and cuts on my hands. I work in the glass industry.

[Snado]

What kind of tongs are you using?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Snado Are you asking about brand or type or what? It's been a while since this vid but I typically use bolt head tongs made for 3/4" square stock when doing any forging of rail spikes.

[Snado]

@ArtistBlade1972 Mostly just what type, and the brand.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Snado They are not any brand brother. With the exception of one pair all of mine are hand made.

[Snado]

@ArtistBlade1972 Glad to hear that. Myself, I'm just trying to get started on a forge, Just scrabbling for information these days on what might be good to work with.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Snado Get ya a couple of pairs of wolf jaw tongs and a couple of bolt head in 1/2" and 3/4". Plus a couple pair for different size flat stock. Really depends on the stuff ya wanna make, but that's a good all purpose list. Blacksmith's depot has all of these.

[Snado]

@ArtistBlade1972 Mostly trying for working on Tomahawks, knives, possibly swords. Good stuff like that.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Snado That's a good list for ya then.

[Mathaius833]

i love how its all old fashion pounding and banging, then when its done, PULL OUT THE POWER TOOLS

[ArtistBlade1972]

@Mathaius833 Beats the hell out of a file brother :)

[ArtisanTony]

Looks good! Are you still interested in my knife? Thanks!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ArtisanTony Thanks Tony. Yes I'm about to start on it. I've had a lot of things I've been busy with plus work. I'm gonna at least get it forged out this weekend. I'll be making a vid on it :)

[mikeycrabtree123]

where are you located? I am working on building my first forge this coming spring, and am looking for a group of experienced smiths that would be willing to help me avoid the pitfalls I'll definitely find learning solely from books.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@mikeycrabtree123 I live in Savannah, GA....

[mikeycrabtree123]

@ArtistBlade1972 that's not TOO far from me, but more than I'd care to try to make a trip to on any regular basis. I live in Bowling Green, KY, about one hour due north of Nashville, TN straight up I-65.

[ArtistBlade1972]

@mikeycrabtree123 That would be a hell of a drive brother.

[mikeycrabtree123]

@ArtistBlade1972 well, I have made that trip a few times on the way to Florida, and while it wasn't TOO bad of a trip, I must concede that yes, it is a bit farther than I'd care to try to make on any semi-regular basis.

[blindwit]

@ArtistBlade1972 I noticed that you didn't initially heat the tool steel (or what I'm guessing is tool steel) before you pushed it into the cleft. Is this your common practice (I was under the impression that both metals should be at welding temp before joining)? If it *is* your common practice, have you seen any weakness of the weld as the tool ages? I'm not trying to poke or prod, just looking to learn! :)

[ArtistBlade1972]

@blindwit Neither was at welding heat when the high carbon core was fitted to the cleft. Both steels need to be clean and free of scale to properly weld. Both steels were brought up to welding heat when the actual weld was set. There is no need to have either at welding heat when fitting. One thing is scale would build on both, and another is you'd never have enough time to clean both, get the core in place, and close the cleft before ya lost welding heat. Hope this helps.

[blindwit]

@ArtistBlade1972 Ok, so that was merely the fitting and not the beginning of the weld. Your answer was right what I was looking for, thanks!

[ArtistBlade1972]

@blindwit You're welcome brother.

[LEDDHEDD227]

Nice work ...what is the white stuff your sprinkling on the blade between heats...Ive never seen that done before..

[ArtistBlade1972]

@LEDDHEDD227 Borax.... Used as a welding flux.

[deigapo]

is that powder you're putting on it?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@deigapo It's borax...

[weaselfly]

do you use coking coal? where do you get it?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@weaselfly Not sure what you mean by that, but I use bituminous coal. I get it locally.

[dafuss23]

How much does your anvil weigh?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@dafuss23 The one in the video is sorta small. Mine weighs 100 lbs which is still a little on the small side.

[ErixtheRed1990]

do you just quench it in water or do you use a type of oil for a final quench?

[ArtistBlade1972]

@ErixtheRed1990 I quenched this in water,but I don't recommend it unless you have a lot of experience under your belt, Oil is much safer and gets most steel plenty hard.