Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

Cuts Like a Knife

Blog Index

Categories: Projects and equipment; Commerce and business

Word count/read time: 440 words; 2 minutes

Part of the challenge with hobbies and crafts is that some are so vast they require specialization. Regardless of the type or category, even the smallest part of an obscure endeavor can be a lifetime venture.

I consider myself a metal worker. Jewelry - simple jewelry - is just one aspect. There's nothing wrong with the basics, i.e. mastering the fundamentals. Maybe I can't do a tension-set platinum solitaire with a bezel-set gemstone band or ever be a full-fledged bench jeweler though what I do will be praiseworthy.

Sometimes you want to try something for no other reason or motivation than just wanting to. So begins my next adventure in metalworking: making knives, edged implements, and blacksmithing. Simply, I want a 1000+ layer samurai sword, lot of weapons of all types, and some functional pieces.

Yeah, everyone and their brother is jumping on the knifemaking bandwagon. It's currently the beanie babies of crafting. I'm sure many will be getting out of it as quickly as they started and drown the market with used equipment. Perhaps I will surprise myself or enjoy it so much that I will generate income from it. Maybe not, but this is not about or for potential customers at this time.

While I have lots of equipment and tools, specific blacksmithing ones are not in my arsenal. I could fudge it and cut corners, make a knife right now, but the frustration might curse my enthusiasm.

I pondered making a forge but decided to purchase one; no need to re-invent the wheel. This one should sate my needs for a theoretical eternity. It could also be used for melting, annealing, tempering, and other things not related to blade making. A friend commented that it wouldn't be long enough for a sword; with doors at both ends I could doggy-style a second forge.

So now there's a forge, extra ceramic blanket, blanket rigidizer, castable refractory mixes, 90lb forged and hardened steel anvil, tongs, hammers, multiple 100lb propane tanks, and other accessories. Raw materials, heat-treatment tanks/containers, and additional forging and specialty equipment will follow.

The most desired "super tools" after the basics are a power hammer, dedicated hydraulic press for efficient bladesmithing, and a 2"x72" belt sander. The hammer would be useful for shaping silver and gold ingots so it's a worthy investment regardless. DIY versions of these are quite the rage among the financially challenged so I began buying plans to make them myself.

Of course, there is the issue of how everything will fit into over-crowded garages. Soon the cars will be ostracized no matter how tetrised the tools! Not there yet but it's getting tight.

Posted by M: July 13, 2023

Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.

Previous Entry . . . . Next Entry

Comment Section

NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!

2024