Craft

Day at the forge

My first day alone in the new forge with the new equipment and tools, so I thought I would try to make something I’ve never made before. Inspired by a couple of recent purchases from a local fair we attend each year, it’s really a harvest festival with demonstrations of hand crafts. Fiona and I purchased a hand forged knife and a couple of hooks for our bedroom.

Building 144 (2)

Both these items were made with mild steel, so I will replicate them with mild steel too. I have a leftover piece  25mm by 5mm flat bar to make the knife and purchased a couple of meters of 8mm round bars to make hooks to use around the site. First I get the forge going with some wood and coal and bring it up to temperature.

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The flat bar is in the fire at this stage taking its first heat, I will form the blade first and then draw out the handle after.

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Above you can see the blade sticking out of the fire and part of the handle has been drawn out already I’m also working on a drawknife I started weeks ago. Here is the knife ready for grinding and finishing.

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Now to have a go at making hooks.

Building 149

I hot cut the round bar in to two and put all four pieces in the fire and made four hooks now ready for finishing. Here are the items once I ground and finished them with a wire brush.

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Here they are for comparison to the originals mine are at the top in each case.

Building 145 (2)

I can see where I can improve on both but I’m pleased with them for a first attempt.