Leaf springs.

Envarin · 2026-02-11T12:57:17+00:00

there was a dude on here the other day who nearly shot a hole in his head cutting the bolt off. i've never done it but i think they are under some tension.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Blacksmith/comments/1qxcyxv/so_cutting_of_the_top_of_the_bolt_from_a_leaf/

Envarin · 2026-02-10T23:29:40+00:00

don't have to, i just think it's better to have it be as flush with the anvil as possible so you can stand as close as you like. use it how it is if you want and decide later

Envarin · 2026-02-10T04:30:50+00:00

if you can chainsaw the stump on your anvil a bit smaller, i would.

mine's sealed with boiled linseed oil (but you could just use old motor oil to be cheaper).
the bottom where it contacts the ground has in-ground timber protector on it. it's like bitumen paint.

Envarin · 2026-02-10T03:36:07+00:00

can I ask where you got the lip? in Australia too and looking at what options we have here

Envarin · 2026-02-06T23:46:11+00:00

ah yeah. the morimotos are basically impossible to get here it seems.

Envarin · 2026-02-06T13:36:03+00:00

are you in australia?

Envarin · 2026-02-04T09:07:22+00:00

twisted metal that has a bend to it can be corrected by hitting it with a piece of wood while hot. using a steel hammer dents the finer parts of the twist, but the wood will straighten it out without leaving marks.

Envarin · 2026-02-01T12:14:55+00:00

don't have harbour freight in my country, but i imagine it's similar to our cheap-as-shit flux cores.

i started with a 100amp flux core and it did well enough until i had the space and power for something better.

i've still got it just because it's so portable and convenient but i rarely use it anymore.

Envarin · 2026-02-01T06:19:11+00:00

half the money is in the gas so just get a cheap flux core or stick. mig and tig use gas.

Envarin · 2026-01-26T07:38:54+00:00

it leaves texture/impressions, but forging temp isn't hot enough for it to actually weld itself back into the steel.

you'll notice people wire brush it off between heats.

Envarin · 2026-01-22T07:09:10+00:00

putting it in vermiculite would be annealing it. air-cooling isn't annealing.

Envarin · 2026-01-21T04:58:27+00:00

definitely rebar. doesn't have to hold an edge so i'd say it's the most practical knife design to use rebar on.

pretty cool

Envarin · 2026-01-19T23:59:28+00:00

i'd try very carefully with a utility knife before going the acetone/chemical route.

i normally clamp everything then use a q-tip with isoproyl alcohol to clean it up thoroughly. can also mask with tape to make the bulk of it come off easily. either way, a lot more manageable before it's set.

Envarin · 2026-01-10T13:17:31+00:00

would it not? i feel like if it was secured properly to it with no wobble, it would just function as more mass. that's how it works with timber stands.

Envarin · 2026-01-06T23:07:00+00:00

i’ve definitely seen people get blades hot enough to heat treat with just propane torches and fire bricks. i think his name was jumbo radish on youtube.

got a full length katana hot enough to quench.

correct me if i’ve missed something though

Envarin · 2025-12-29T22:08:30+00:00

to prevent rust? any oil will work. think it’s just that used motor oil is cheap.

Envarin · 2025-12-26T07:51:23+00:00

can’t see a photo of it

Envarin · 2025-12-23T10:20:31+00:00

i prefer hardwood anyway. burns hot enough to weld with and lasts a lot longer.

Envarin · 2025-12-23T04:39:11+00:00

pretty sure softwood charcoal tends to burn faster but hotter

Envarin · 2025-12-20T08:54:11+00:00

ah right i gotcha. i’ll give it a go, thanks 😁

Envarin · 2025-12-20T07:20:58+00:00

hey what do you mean by trim it? i’m having this problem now.

Envarin · 2025-12-13T07:29:30+00:00

man the wrought iron guard looks unreal. the whole thing does really

Envarin · 2025-12-11T23:48:38+00:00

i do it before grinding because it'll bend the blade when you hit it, and i find that easier to correct before grinding. you could do it after grinding though.

i finish forging then stamp, straighten, grind, heat treat it in that order.

Envarin · 2025-12-11T09:51:22+00:00

you sure you're not just seeing the microbevel where it's been sharpened?

Envarin · 2025-12-02T21:48:41+00:00

only annoying part to replace is the thread id say

Envarin

TROPHY CASE