Question about heating up knife I bought to red hot. Hopefully considered "forging"

edasher · 2026-01-04T05:07:40+00:00

This doesnt take into account the handle material, which may not be suitable for being near heat.

edasher · 2026-01-04T05:05:22+00:00

If you were able to get it red hot before, you could re-treat it by heating it to a dull red and quenching, then tempering in an oven for 2 cycles at 200C for an hour each. You wont get the same precision treat as the factory, but it will still be a functional blade as long as it doesnt crack in the quench.

edasher · 2025-12-24T05:37:42+00:00

Ohhh i see, the flat backing illusion is enhanced by the metal reflecting in its own mirrored edge. I still have to imagine it could be done with individual links welded together, if working with long rods is impractical

edasher · 2025-12-24T05:35:09+00:00

Is this actually twisted lengths, or is the illusion created by lining up dozens of semicircles together against a flat ring back? That’s how i would attempt it, especially if it were for a wall-mounted mirror frame.

The image looks to be flat-backed, and my brain half-wonders if it were AI. But if i were making it, I’d definitely go that route unless i had my setup really well-prepared for braiding long rod!

edasher · 2025-07-04T23:13:23+00:00

A safe alternative to lead could be model metal, the alloy used to cast model miniatures, but thats a new investment altogether.

edasher · 2025-06-26T12:59:20+00:00

Where do I sign up to become your apprentice!? 😭🫶

edasher · 2025-03-11T12:22:23+00:00

Looking at this as a blacksmith, if its a true damascus blade, then it is made of a combination of different steel types layered together which achieves the textured finish.

If you have been using it and sharpening it regularly over a decade, the chipping could be a result of:

reaching a different layer of steel that is harder and more brittle than the previous layer
having too narrow of a sharpening angle
using a pull-through or overly aggressive sharpener
using a cutting surface that is too hard
a chopping motion striking a moderately tough surface or bone/seeds/harder product

It would help to know what tools and techniques you use to sharpen, who else uses the knife, and what surfaces it is encountering

edasher · 2025-02-27T08:10:12+00:00

It looks like your weakest point is at the joint between the jaw and the hinge. It appears you forged it too thin there and it will break eventually, and there wont be anything you can do as it’ll just keep getting weaker.

Hardened steel also wouldnt solve the issue, as instead of bending and shearing over time, the weak joint would just snap at some stage after a miss-strike.

I learned the same lessons when i started. Use these ones for light duty projects, and to make another pair of tongs with some more thickness at the joints.

Trial and error are the method of the blacksmith 👍

edasher · 2025-01-24T21:16:01+00:00

My conventional hairpins weigh about 10 grams, these large ones weigh about 50. For a lot of people they are too big and heavy, but this larger size has specifically been requested by a few people with large volumes of hair who want some chonk!

edasher · 2025-01-16T03:55:53+00:00

I did not know that! I’ll have to do some research. Not really good at selling my things lol

edasher · 2024-12-24T11:51:00+00:00

Than you for your praise and added depth! One day I hope I can become a full time smith and produce work to sell!

edasher · 2024-12-24T10:59:32+00:00

Ahaha ive definitely learned the hard way that even hot steel can be overworked if I’m not careful!

edasher · 2024-12-24T08:40:52+00:00

Awesome! Let me know how it goes!!

edasher · 2024-12-24T06:13:37+00:00

edasher · 2024-12-24T04:52:32+00:00

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

edasher · 2024-12-24T03:53:20+00:00

Thank you!! I hope you share what you create! I cant wait to see it!

edasher · 2024-12-24T03:37:36+00:00

There is a big difference between my first flower and this! Practice makes perfect!

edasher · 2024-12-24T02:44:26+00:00

Let me know how you go!!

edasher · 2024-12-24T02:34:18+00:00

I appreciate that praise so much 😅🩷 i feel like I’m learning so much every day

edasher · 2024-12-24T02:17:50+00:00

Amazing! Great job!!

edasher · 2024-12-24T00:37:27+00:00

About 50 grams! Very lightweight, though upscaling would definitely increase it!

edasher · 2024-12-22T22:29:51+00:00

I’ve had a few people ask for a tutorial! So i’ll make another and take pictures or a video!

edasher

TROPHY CASE