Search:

Shooter, could you use that grinder to start the hollow before ht and then finish it after ht?

Sen Zen was the name of that post. Interesting idea. I have an old file that is pretty much junk. Think I could use the grinder wheel on a dremel or the sanding drum on my drill press to grind the...

There you go then. I guess the only real way is to just start trying and see what comes out. Still have to figure out how to hollow by hand though....

Shooter, you knew I was going to ask......why 1095?

Maybe I misunderstood. If you hollow a blade, does that happen before or after h/t?

So I guess guys, it comes down to this:

Which suitable steel is going to be easiest to work by hand?

I don't need more of an uphill battle than my obvious lack of technical skill.

Thanks for the reply PDobson. What are some examples of air hardening steel? I'm assuming A2 is air hardening. Are you saying that air hardening steels are easier to work by hand than say, 1084,...

Here're the files I have picked out so far from Jantz.


#CTN07894 Magicut File 8"
Price: $9.95

#CTN08642 Mill File 10" Bastard Cut
Price: $7.95

#CTN08673 Mill File 10" Second...

Does the steel shrink a little bit when it gets heat treated?

Why don't you like double cut files?

Thanks UPD! As a lot of answers are, your's led to more questions. Are all of Jantz's blanks annealed? They aren't specified. Or maybe I'm not seeing it. I'm going to have to find a tutorial on...

Adam, thank you for the post. I've been thinking about this post all day. I just can't seem to shake the sense that I need to do this, I guess!

What set of files will I need to do this kind of...

Well, the heck with it, I'll just ask here. SFShaver, if you have a problem with it, I'll de-post. :)

What steel and thickness should we be looking at for a 5/8-7/8 blade? 1/8 or 1/4" 1084? I...

Charlie, maybe the way you said it is better. I would love to forge metal, and there is an undeniable romance to it. In no way did I mean to imply that non-forged blades are inferior, and I...

I've been considering this too, as a big project in the next couple of years. I think you need to decide if you want to forge a blade or use the stock removal for a first blade. From what I've seen,...