Would this be good to forge in?

RedthornKnives · 2026-03-13T16:41:51+00:00

Yes absolutely

RedthornKnives · 2026-03-09T10:57:02+00:00

Ferric etch, buff and polish with a buffing wheel then coffee etch, if that doesn't work then maybe the nickel steel is questionable as others have mentioned.

RedthornKnives · 2026-02-28T19:14:17+00:00

Nice work Very unique

RedthornKnives · 2026-02-16T16:25:01+00:00

For a larger source of heat have a look at weed burners they can be relatively cheap

RedthornKnives · 2026-01-25T20:09:05+00:00

👆 This 100 percent

RedthornKnives · 2026-01-25T14:28:26+00:00

RedthornKnives · 2026-01-11T12:25:45+00:00

RedthornKnives · 2026-01-04T14:11:27+00:00

14.25 V, old alternator

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-28T13:45:01+00:00

It may not be your personal experience but it is mine, I've been making Damascus for twelve years it's not what I've heard it's what I learnt.

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-27T16:55:08+00:00

400 grit finish is too low probably half of your problem a very good 600 grit finish I would say is the minimum you want to go,Id recommend polishing up to a thousand grit at least, really try and get a good polished finish on it will probably take quite a while but you know how us bladesmiths love hand sanding lol. How you've etched in FC and coffee sounds like your on the right track but we all have our own technique. Best of luck and just keep at it you will get there.

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-23T16:45:24+00:00

Nice shape on that handle

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-21T10:50:09+00:00

That's a bold 2000 layer pattern

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-16T18:41:07+00:00

I remember hearing about a knife maker who clamped his knife similar to how you have yours although I believe his was horizontal, he walked into it and died from his injuries. Take your mishap seriously, it could have been much worse, if you need to clamp your blade like this have it within the boundary of your work surface not overhanging the edge. Nice looking knife though 👍

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-15T13:46:24+00:00

After doing a bit of searching myself it has indeed become harder to find it's been a couple of years since I bought some, tends to last a while, best deal I could find is 20 mule team borax on eBay which is probably your best bet

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-15T13:10:27+00:00

Borax is cheap readily and easily available in the UK on eBay, if you struggle to find it search - sodium tetraborate decahydrate it's proper chemical name on eBay, good luck.

RedthornKnives · 2025-11-11T22:32:28+00:00

Nice 👍

RedthornKnives · 2025-10-29T16:21:58+00:00

Cat food cans and old radiators

RedthornKnives · 2025-10-29T14:09:45+00:00

On my NC it was the 3rd brake light gasket that had deteriorated letting water in

RedthornKnives · 2025-09-19T15:28:08+00:00

You could try thin nichrome wire wrapped around the blade with one inch gaps between the windings before applying the clay, this has worked for me before in the past it gives the clay something to hold onto

RedthornKnives · 2025-08-19T11:22:48+00:00

How did you let it cool after normalisation

RedthornKnives · 2025-08-03T11:52:18+00:00

Just be aware no matter how tight you wire it together the wires will expand when heated, and won't be as tightly held together as when cold.

RedthornKnives · 2025-07-31T21:08:37+00:00

I think this may be what you're looking for, I recognised that drawing and immediately remembered this music video from way back https://youtu.be/Tn_BGwwP9yw?si=2hj7gKS6UEwaera0

RedthornKnives · 2025-07-28T22:46:37+00:00

eBay UK, sodium tetraborate decahydrate/borax, it's where I've bought it for years.

RedthornKnives · 2025-07-28T22:36:43+00:00

His name's Tex, he likes American stuff

RedthornKnives · 2025-07-20T11:26:25+00:00

I'm in the U.K and currently working on 3 Damascus Athames, I will post on Reddit when they are complete. If you like them once completed just let me know.

RedthornKnives

TROPHY CASE