First forged knife

[jlfblacksmith]

Hello all
I got into blacksmithing a year ago and have toiled with the idea of making a knife ever since. I began by homing my skills with arrow heads and then making fire steels and other small items. A few days ago i set up a new forge and decided to have a go at a knife.

I am fourteen and thought you guys would like to have a look. I also have a problem as soon as i take it out of the forge there is what looks like slag residue all over the blade i think it mught be flakes of carbon though as i am making the knife from old files. The problem is as soon as i quence the knife the flakes are a pain to get off and look very un uniform.
Any way here is the knife

Hope you like it

 

[g4ghb]

That looks great mate - and for your first knife it is a cracker! - I only wish I could produce something like that!

Well done!

 

[Dave Budd]

blimey James, you've got a better workshop than I d at the moment!

The scale you mention is iron orxide, millscale. It will always be on teh surface of a piece of steel that has been heated to the sorts of temperature that you need for forging or heat treating (unless you wrap in stainless foil or use vacuum chambers). It's harder than a file when it forms.

To remove it you can:
grind it off (leaving grinding marks)
attack it with a wire brush on a grinder (some scale will remain, it's how I do most of mine)
soak it in vinegar overnight. (dissolves the scale and you get a dull/pale grey surface)

hope that helps

 

[jojo]

Look great, James. Must show us the finished article soon! Like the workshop too!

 

[jlfblacksmith]

I will probably handle it eith some light oak i have and put mosiak pins in but i will certainly show you the finished product
James

 

[Shambling Shaman]

That looks great mate - and for your first knife it is a cracker! - I only wish I could produce something like that!

Well done!

I have to agree - well done

 

[StJon]

Nice workshop when are you starting courses..?
jon

 

[jlfblacksmith]

I am no where near experienced enough to run a course yet but i have toyed with the idea of selling a knife or two made order.
I f any one is interested i will happily accept designs. In all fairness though i would go to dave budd to get a forged blade commisioned and to gearge thompson for a stock removal blade.
Kind regards
James