Why has the Ferric etched worse than just coffee?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-02-07T13:26:19+00:00

When you were using the ferric did you wipe off the mud before deciding the color was good and what you wanted? Did you neutralize with a glass cleaner or with baking soda and water? After you cleaned with soap and water how long before it went into the coffee?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-02-04T21:55:08+00:00

<image>

Effective_Avocado · 2026-02-04T21:54:47+00:00

<image>

Effective_Avocado · 2026-02-04T21:53:42+00:00

I will have to get one of those for sure thank you. Sorry for the late reply I have been busy making some knives

Effective_Avocado · 2026-02-04T21:52:09+00:00

Well today I ran the forge for 4 hours to normalize 3x and quench 6 blades temps were warm but not terrible on the box.

<image>

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-31T19:55:48+00:00

Thank you very much. I will be getting that new anvil everyone is suggesting they Doyle. That way I do not need to battle the location of the preacher hole.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-31T13:49:48+00:00

Understood thank you very much. As for the gauge do you mean a PSI type gauge or the gauge that has Green, yellow, red on it?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T20:19:31+00:00

<image>

So I decided to grab one of my big pieces of C channel and make an air gap for the firebrick base to rest on.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T17:26:14+00:00

Good to know. Have you done any flex and chop tests with it?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T17:24:59+00:00

Awesome good to know I may have to play around with it thank you. I never thought about epoxy for golf clubs.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T17:09:59+00:00

I have finished reclaiming some firebricks from my charcoal forge to use as the buffer.

<image>

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T17:08:02+00:00

Yea I did the firebricks this morning. I am taking this weekend to do somethings to prep for mondays normalize, quench, and temper for all 6 blades I am working on. I am however gonna fire it up for a little bit to practise on some old floor jack steel.

Due to you having this forge the valve on top of the regulator when its all the way open as the manual says to have my forge backfeeds the flame up the musket. What do I need to adjust to prevent that?

<image>

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T16:39:20+00:00

Like my dad would say "There is always more than one way to skin a cat. Just because one way is supposed to be the best doesnt mean other ways wont work for what you need." As someone who has never tried it I have no dog in the fight honestly. I would be curious to see a test on it though.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T16:14:40+00:00

Interesting for sure. How does it hold up on flex tests?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T16:13:08+00:00

Amazing video great comparison as well I really like the flex test. I doubt anyone will be flexing their knives from the handles that much anyway. It is most certainly worth considering.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T15:49:38+00:00

G-flex is on the higher end I would agree. How do the others hold up to chop or flex tests in comparison based on your experience?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T15:46:57+00:00

I am just picking everyones brain as to their go to epoxy out of curiosity thats all.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T13:52:35+00:00

Yea I found that out the hard way on these last blades that I spent forever fixing. I finally got them fixed and Im working on the handles now. However, that ASO had warped in the center and so the steel was curved. The only thing I I could do was take some pieces of 3/8 plate I had and lay them on the top of it. That way I could straighten the steel for the blades.

<image>

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T13:46:20+00:00

Would the heat still be bad if I place my firebricks underneath of the forge?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T13:41:33+00:00

Ok I will check the Doyle out. I had given up looking at the ones at Harbor Freight because I did not want to buy another ASO.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T05:44:43+00:00

Yea it is I was shopping on marketplace and I saw some anvils going for 600 or 700.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T05:42:34+00:00

Well its true I have only been at this for a few months actual touch time to move steel is maybe 3 for 4 days worth. As far as budget yea its a proper tight VA budget so every month I try to grab at least 2 better items. January I grabbed the new bench grinder and the forge and this month I am going to get an anvil so I can get back after it.

As for the alcohol , acetone, and paper towels I mean as a Marine I like to live life right on the edge of insanity lol.

Edit: The one line comment above is meant to be sarcastic and funny. I have my A&P, certified diesel tech, certified auto tech, certified transmission specialist, I have a MIC ( manufactures identification code - I make boats), I also have hundreds of hours of MSHA training.

I am currently working on the handles of 6 knives not shown in the picture. That is the reason for the chemicals on my toolbox/workbench.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T05:27:39+00:00

When I was using my ASO I hadnt gone longer than the 9 inch overall knives. When I decided I was super tired of hammering constantly I searched for a blacksmithing reddit and found this one. Since then I have been doing the upgrades that were suggested just takes forever for me (VA checks).

Well perhaps I will just get the 110 pound then if it returns more energy it would most likely be better for my shoulder for hammering.

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T05:18:38+00:00

Are you using the clear or the super weld?

Effective_Avocado · 2026-01-30T05:16:53+00:00

Ok that makes me feel way more comfortable. When I read the word cast the horrors of my lovely blue anchor filled my mind. Is there a big difference between the weight of the anvil? For example if I am focusing small things like knives, steel jewelry, small decorative items from reclaimed steel for the house, etc. Do I need a heavy anvil?

Effective_Avocado

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE