I don't understand these haters! A forge and anvil, plus a few basic tools (files, sand paper...) is plenty to make a knife. Your knives are pretty darn good at this time too! I'd like to see the new ones!
hey i like your setup.looks similar to mine.like your knives too.i've enjoyed knives since i was small child.i always sharpened knives for all my friends.then i got tired of the shiny sorry store bought knives that cost too much.then i tired of spending hard money for good ones.don't change how u view your shop or the way u finish knives because of some idiots comments about your work.keep doing what you love.u'r in the shop creating while they are pushing keys and looking at screen.ha ha.
Hey. Thanks to everyone that had encouraging words and gets the plot. I do enjoy doing this, and I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing. Be on the lookout for more videos, showing a much higher polish and skill. Oh, and a bitchin' new power hammer!
Keep it up! I like your knives and every shop starts off small! And some people have no lives... lurking around youtube trying to make people feel bad..
regardless of what any haters say , at least your out there doing it. and for anyone that looks at your "shop" and laughs ....they have no imagination. It just goes to show that someone doesn't need thousands of dollars in tools to make knives.I myself have a small shop much like yours, as a matter fact i just shoveled all the snow out. For any haters go look at wayne goddards 50$knife shop. excellent book for anybody who would like to try knifesmithing without all the pressure of perfection
Hahaha. Don't worry, friend. I've gotten a LOT better. Better than you are or would ever be, anyway. As for the "shop", read the response to the firelord guy. By the way, thanks for the chuckle. It's been a long day.
@lordofgonzo No problem lol, i was feeling retarded at the time of posting. Still, its retarded of you to have such equipment because its not very accurate to how blades used to be made (i get freaky about historical things) and it seems you were welding the tang to the blade, which is not an intelligent way to do it imo, but nice work anyway. You could just have used a file, jigsaw and whetstone for the raw blade you know :p, instead of paying a shitload for all that equipment.
Not trying to be a dick or rude, but what the hell are you talking about? First of all, I forge my blades, which IS the way they used to be made. Second, I built that forge myself, and found all of my anvil material at a scrap yard, so that "shitload" doesn't exist. AND I don't own a welder, can't weld for shit, and lots of VERY good bladesmiths weld an extension to their tangs, so that entire point is moot. The blades in the vid were not finished, and as I said, I've gotten way better.
@lordofgonzo If I were you, i wouldn't concern myself with the youtube haters. You obviously enjoy what you do, thanks for sharing. Maybe you should ask the haters to post a vid of their workshops ? lol. Keep up the good work.
@Pawnbroker00 Actually, most of the top makers started out with very meager tools and modest shops, which enabled them to develop essential hand eye coordination and tool making skills that define a master smith. A skilled craftsman can create a functional and beautiful knife with very low tech tools like files and sandpaper. You'd probably be very underwhelmed by most of the master sword builders in Japan due to their "primitive" tools and small "shops".
@Pawnbroker00 Okay...so where are your tools? Where are your knives? Show us what "real" metalworking is. I know plenty of Mastersmiths including National Living Treasure Jerry Fisk who do it the exact way gonzo is. Granted they have powerhammers which they use sometimes, but yeah, this is the way it's done. As far as historical context goes it would depend on what time period you are referring to. Water powered trip hammers have been around for a long time. So please show us how it should be.
That's the beauty of it. You don't have to. Besides, it's where I work and keep my tools and what not. So, it fits the definition (to my notion anyway) of what a shop is, rinky dink as it may be. I actually meant to put the quotations around shop so as to communicate the slight humor in the statement, but apparently didn't. Thank you for pointing that out so I can fix it.
MADdwarf, I visited your youtube channel and webby. I have to say man you have some of the most beautiful weapons I've ever seen. Its a good thing I don't have any money or you would have taken it by now!
lordofgonzo, how hard was it to build a gas forge? (<~~~kinda scared of gas)
Hmmm. It really depends on what you want it to do. The forge in my video was actually very easy to build in my opinion, but it was made for general forging work. It gets a bit trickier when trying to build one that will forge weld. Plus, it depends on how you want it to run (i.e. forced air, or atmospheric/naturally aspirated). It's not all that scary if you just take your time and use your head. I'm no expert, however, so I'd use the internet to find better sources.
As a side note, I love working with gas. It's easier on you, to control, and to work with. Just my opinion though. If you're thinking about it, just do the above. There are people all over with helpful tips, designs, etc. That one was built as part of a workshop. Pretty easy, but you NEED a welder. I know that this doesn't really answer your question, but I'm just a novice. Sorry. Still, very best of luck and I'll help however I can. And leave my customers alone!!, haha.
Like MD said, don't play down your experience. You're insight is still very valuable to me. I've done every part of blade smithing exept forgeing my own blade. I've made other stuff (horse shoes and hoof picks and the like before, but that was a different ball game lol.
I've got an old arc welder I saved from an old guys junk garage lol its a 230v a/c d/c welder
how long does yours run when hot enough to work steel? also, what material is the heating area made out of?
With a regular gas grill tank, you should get anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of working time. I always ran mine hot, so I usually got an average 5 or 6 hours. The forge is lined with a high-temp ceramic material (Kaowool, Insuwool) that's coated in a high temperature refractory. You can find all sorts of it on the internet. The bottom is just heavy duty, soft, fire brick with a little of the refractory spread over it. It just misses welding by a couple hundred degrees, give or take.
Oh, and the body is a foot long and a foot in diameter. It's made out of one of those taller propane tanks, like off the back of a forklift or something. The One that I'm building now is made out of an old oxygen tank. but it's only similar to the one in the video in that it's round and runs off gas, haha.
if that green anvil is one of the grizzly anvils "or any cast iron" than you might wanna invest in a forged or cast steel anvil because cast iron will dent nd bend outa shape when bein hit.
Yeah, I know. But it's all I can afford. I'd love to have a Hay Budden or any other older steel anvil, but good god they're expensive. Besides, I have several pieces of great steel plate on the top of it now, so no worries.
i think cast would shatter before it dents,besides if its made to be used as an anvil then there shouldnt be a problem,it all depends on the striker,if they have good hamer skill and accurate blows then its fine but if its just a beginner or an idiot who doesnt know what he's doing then he will probly hit the anvil thus fucking it up.
Well, I'm pretty damn good with a hammer, and I am most certainly not an idiot. He's right though. It dents like a mother. As I said, however, I've got something like 380 to 400 pounds of steel on the top of it now, so it's all good.
That's just when I drag it into the garage to keep it out of the rain and snow. I don't really have anywhere to keep anything. I don't forge with that setup at all, it's just put up there.
I think that's about it. The high steel cost is because I have gotten more since that bar stock. Most of what I've got I've either found at flea markets, trade lots, and the occasional well stocked scrap yard. I don't have a power hammer, or any other power tools except a grinder, but they're soon to come. Hopefully.
I don't understand these haters! A forge and anvil, plus a few basic tools (files, sand paper...) is plenty to make a knife. Your knives are pretty darn good at this time too! I'd like to see the new ones!
BackWoodsPuppy 3 months ago
hey i like your setup.looks similar to mine.like your knives too.i've enjoyed knives since i was small child.i always sharpened knives for all my friends.then i got tired of the shiny sorry store bought knives that cost too much.then i tired of spending hard money for good ones.don't change how u view your shop or the way u finish knives because of some idiots comments about your work.keep doing what you love.u'r in the shop creating while they are pushing keys and looking at screen.ha ha.
kickingbird2012 5 months ago
Hey. Thanks to everyone that had encouraging words and gets the plot. I do enjoy doing this, and I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing. Be on the lookout for more videos, showing a much higher polish and skill. Oh, and a bitchin' new power hammer!
lordofgonzo 8 months ago
Speaking as someone whos tried bladesmithing, you did a great job.
EddieCubillo 9 months ago
Keep it up! I like your knives and every shop starts off small! And some people have no lives... lurking around youtube trying to make people feel bad..
MegaHigster 9 months ago
regardless of what any haters say , at least your out there doing it. and for anyone that looks at your "shop" and laughs ....they have no imagination. It just goes to show that someone doesn't need thousands of dollars in tools to make knives.I myself have a small shop much like yours, as a matter fact i just shoveled all the snow out. For any haters go look at wayne goddards 50$knife shop. excellent book for anybody who would like to try knifesmithing without all the pressure of perfection
avelloch 11 months ago
nice stuff man
ltjosh10 1 year ago
Why, thank you very much. Hope to have a better one displaying Way BETTER work soon
lordofgonzo 1 year ago
What the fuck? This isnt a shop.
I wasnt expecting it to be, but still, this is a load of shit. The metalwork is pathetic aswell.
Pawnbroker00 1 year ago
Hahaha. Don't worry, friend. I've gotten a LOT better. Better than you are or would ever be, anyway. As for the "shop", read the response to the firelord guy. By the way, thanks for the chuckle. It's been a long day.
lordofgonzo 1 year ago
@lordofgonzo No problem lol, i was feeling retarded at the time of posting. Still, its retarded of you to have such equipment because its not very accurate to how blades used to be made (i get freaky about historical things) and it seems you were welding the tang to the blade, which is not an intelligent way to do it imo, but nice work anyway. You could just have used a file, jigsaw and whetstone for the raw blade you know :p, instead of paying a shitload for all that equipment.
Pawnbroker00 1 year ago
Not trying to be a dick or rude, but what the hell are you talking about? First of all, I forge my blades, which IS the way they used to be made. Second, I built that forge myself, and found all of my anvil material at a scrap yard, so that "shitload" doesn't exist. AND I don't own a welder, can't weld for shit, and lots of VERY good bladesmiths weld an extension to their tangs, so that entire point is moot. The blades in the vid were not finished, and as I said, I've gotten way better.
lordofgonzo 1 year ago
I would like to say again, that I'm really not trying to be a dick, confrontational, or anything else. If I come off that way, I do apologize.
lordofgonzo 1 year ago
@lordofgonzo Why apologize? This Pawnborker dork sounds like a douchebag : )
ritter89 1 year ago
@lordofgonzo If I were you, i wouldn't concern myself with the youtube haters. You obviously enjoy what you do, thanks for sharing. Maybe you should ask the haters to post a vid of their workshops ? lol. Keep up the good work.
KevinJKtheman 9 months ago
@Pawnbroker00 Actually, most of the top makers started out with very meager tools and modest shops, which enabled them to develop essential hand eye coordination and tool making skills that define a master smith. A skilled craftsman can create a functional and beautiful knife with very low tech tools like files and sandpaper. You'd probably be very underwhelmed by most of the master sword builders in Japan due to their "primitive" tools and small "shops".
ritter89 1 year ago
@Pawnbroker00 Okay...so where are your tools? Where are your knives? Show us what "real" metalworking is. I know plenty of Mastersmiths including National Living Treasure Jerry Fisk who do it the exact way gonzo is. Granted they have powerhammers which they use sometimes, but yeah, this is the way it's done. As far as historical context goes it would depend on what time period you are referring to. Water powered trip hammers have been around for a long time. So please show us how it should be.
Foeeagle 1 year ago
why must every american call every thing "shop" ??????? this is a backstreet hobby/toy garage. sorry but i dont accept this.
firelord3377 1 year ago
That's the beauty of it. You don't have to. Besides, it's where I work and keep my tools and what not. So, it fits the definition (to my notion anyway) of what a shop is, rinky dink as it may be. I actually meant to put the quotations around shop so as to communicate the slight humor in the statement, but apparently didn't. Thank you for pointing that out so I can fix it.
lordofgonzo 1 year ago
Man, that is not a bad setup!
Don't you be complainin!... haha :)
You can make great work with very little tools if you work hard enough, and it looks like you are doing exactly that.
Really nice work.
MADdwarfWorkshop 2 years ago
I'll try not to anymore, haha. Thanks very much. Not close to the same caliber as you guys are, but I'll get there. Hopefully soon! Thanks again.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
I'm commin to get yall soon lol!!!!
all your customerz are belong to us!
MADdwarf, I visited your youtube channel and webby. I have to say man you have some of the most beautiful weapons I've ever seen. Its a good thing I don't have any money or you would have taken it by now!
lordofgonzo, how hard was it to build a gas forge? (<~~~kinda scared of gas)
delta2131 2 years ago
Hmmm. It really depends on what you want it to do. The forge in my video was actually very easy to build in my opinion, but it was made for general forging work. It gets a bit trickier when trying to build one that will forge weld. Plus, it depends on how you want it to run (i.e. forced air, or atmospheric/naturally aspirated). It's not all that scary if you just take your time and use your head. I'm no expert, however, so I'd use the internet to find better sources.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
As a side note, I love working with gas. It's easier on you, to control, and to work with. Just my opinion though. If you're thinking about it, just do the above. There are people all over with helpful tips, designs, etc. That one was built as part of a workshop. Pretty easy, but you NEED a welder. I know that this doesn't really answer your question, but I'm just a novice. Sorry. Still, very best of luck and I'll help however I can. And leave my customers alone!!, haha.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
Like MD said, don't play down your experience. You're insight is still very valuable to me. I've done every part of blade smithing exept forgeing my own blade. I've made other stuff (horse shoes and hoof picks and the like before, but that was a different ball game lol.
I've got an old arc welder I saved from an old guys junk garage lol its a 230v a/c d/c welder
how long does yours run when hot enough to work steel? also, what material is the heating area made out of?
delta2131 2 years ago
With a regular gas grill tank, you should get anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of working time. I always ran mine hot, so I usually got an average 5 or 6 hours. The forge is lined with a high-temp ceramic material (Kaowool, Insuwool) that's coated in a high temperature refractory. You can find all sorts of it on the internet. The bottom is just heavy duty, soft, fire brick with a little of the refractory spread over it. It just misses welding by a couple hundred degrees, give or take.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
Oh, and the body is a foot long and a foot in diameter. It's made out of one of those taller propane tanks, like off the back of a forklift or something. The One that I'm building now is made out of an old oxygen tank. but it's only similar to the one in the video in that it's round and runs off gas, haha.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
thanks for the info man, I've been thinking alot about the coal v gas thing for a while and still have a long think ahead of me
delta2131 2 years ago
Cool man, so you forge next to the classic caddy? That's ballsy lol
strantor 2 years ago
can u make me a sword?,lmfao j/k man.
yokonus 2 years ago
YOu Bastard!
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
if that green anvil is one of the grizzly anvils "or any cast iron" than you might wanna invest in a forged or cast steel anvil because cast iron will dent nd bend outa shape when bein hit.
fullkl1p 2 years ago
Yeah, I know. But it's all I can afford. I'd love to have a Hay Budden or any other older steel anvil, but good god they're expensive. Besides, I have several pieces of great steel plate on the top of it now, so no worries.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
i think cast would shatter before it dents,besides if its made to be used as an anvil then there shouldnt be a problem,it all depends on the striker,if they have good hamer skill and accurate blows then its fine but if its just a beginner or an idiot who doesnt know what he's doing then he will probly hit the anvil thus fucking it up.
Saferetias 2 years ago
Well, I'm pretty damn good with a hammer, and I am most certainly not an idiot. He's right though. It dents like a mother. As I said, however, I've got something like 380 to 400 pounds of steel on the top of it now, so it's all good.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
Comment removed
JetLag317 2 years ago
That's just when I drag it into the garage to keep it out of the rain and snow. I don't really have anywhere to keep anything. I don't forge with that setup at all, it's just put up there.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
Cool how much did that all cost?
thechoreographer 2 years ago
Steel: 76
Forge: 135
The hammer: 25
"Anvil": 30
Gas: 16 a tank
I think that's about it. The high steel cost is because I have gotten more since that bar stock. Most of what I've got I've either found at flea markets, trade lots, and the occasional well stocked scrap yard. I don't have a power hammer, or any other power tools except a grinder, but they're soon to come. Hopefully.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
You did it, cool.
I love that crooked hammer.
Conan568 2 years ago
It's a great hammer for knife making. I had to cut about 8 inches of handle off though. I kept hitting myself in the ribs and hip.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago
Sorry. I read that again and realized that I had screwed up. It was only about 6 inches that I cut off.
lordofgonzo 2 years ago