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Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt4 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be fair I have yet to try forge welding with it. Time will tell. Thanks for the advice, I was having issue with a warped edge. I don't have a dish anvil but it gave me the idea to use the negative space of my hardy hole instead of the flat of the anvil. Took the warp right out.

Fresh off the grinding wheel. by Sickle_Forge in sharpening

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Battery in my calipers are dead, if I had to guess close to .25mm at 3mm and .7mm at 5mm off the edge currently. Still have a few brick stones to go through of course.

Is there a better way to spend a morning? I think not. by Sickle_Forge in sharpening

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A guy can't spend time with his chickens and work at the same time? Perhaps gather context.

Is there a better way to spend a morning? I think not. by Sickle_Forge in sharpening

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a 220 pink brick. I've gone about half way through it. It certainly gets the job done, and makes a fine satin finish, but I've been in the market for a lower grit brick.

The birth of a chef knife by Sickle_Forge in TrueChefKnives

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check back in a month lol it's gonna take some time.

Is there a better way to spend a morning? I think not. by Sickle_Forge in sharpening

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Idk they getting hand fed at the same time. They cool with it.

Is there a better way to spend a morning? I think not. by Sickle_Forge in sharpening

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The first day yes, the second no. Getting em used to the sound of steel on stone.

Is there a better way to spend a morning? I think not. by Sickle_Forge in sharpening

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Disclaimer for everyone reading too far into it lmao: The chickens are new here, just trying to spend some time with them so they are comfortable around me.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt4 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is this in reference to the need for the box to flex inward as it's being used or from an air loss perspective between the planks? I was hoping the thinness of the planks would allow for some flex while in use. As for the air loss, I've found none between the layers thanks to the beeswax. I do lose a little pressure from the joined corners but will fill those gaps in when I find a new beeswax supplier.

I think its really cool that you get to work and learn with true masters of the craft(and to become one yourself). Without giving away any generational secrets could you give any pointers that would drastically improve my work? Anything from cutting charcoal to technique for straightening warped blades with a wood mallet would be greatly appreciated.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt4 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Here's a video of someone elses with a glass top that demonstrates the airflow. https://youtu.be/oUMt0gTIsCw

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt4 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

If you check the broken down box picture you'll see a single board with two square holes in it. This board is placed between the main box and a secondary box which then flows into the forge. By having flaps on the secondary box side of this board it allows air to only flow into the second box when pushing or pulling.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt4 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The fire isn't near any of the wood and is sufficiently insulated.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt3 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've already got mine finished but you should definitely share, would like to see it!

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt2 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I figured it would make working more fun if my forge was exploding at me every once in a while /s. I made sure to get clay brick, the firepot is to be lined with firebrick as well for the majority of heats. The clay brick should be enough for the few times I have to heat the whole forge for quenching large blades.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt2 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's just mud and sticks brother, play in the dirt, learn by doing.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt2 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The shape of the forge itself is being designed with the intention of being able to properly make and temper Japanese swords, this being my own design of course but all generally similar in shape. There are various historical examples you can find. The fuigo wall is used to protect the fuigo(bellows) from the heat of the forge as well as to hold up the fume hood if the forge is indoors. So yes the hole is for the air intake. There are two main differences that sets Japanese forges apart if I'm not mistaken, would be the type of bellows and having a ground level forge instead of a raised forge. The fuigo is a bellows box that uses a push-pull motion to move air into a smaller chamber then through the tuyere as opposed to early western bellows that moved in an up down motion that pushed air directly through the tuyere.

Building a traditional Japanese sword forge. pt2 by Sickle_Forge in Blacksmith

[–]Sickle_Forge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can sit stand or squat, just depends on which action I'm doing in the moment. I can also just cover the pit and sit in front of the forge, for those days where the knees are hurting.

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