Forging/ blacksmithing book recommendations

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uncleboob

Full Member
Dec 28, 2012
915
53
Coventry and Warwickshire
Evening all. I've finally got a bit of time to engage in a bit of experimentation! I really would like to have a go at making a blade using primitive techniques. Could any of you point me towards any useful books, blogs or YouTube videos which might cover things like making a home forge, identifying useful metals etc?

Any guidance much appreciated

Many thanks j


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Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
For centuries, First Nations here have been making very good knives from smaller files.
Their "forge" was and is no more than a covered trench in the ground. You could do this tomorrow.
In this day and time, very good knives can be made from both new and used farrier's hoof-trimming knives (my favorites).
Excellent steel for adze blades comes from the stacked leaf springs of larger 1-ton (eg Ford F350) truck springs.

Here's justification for ripping a BMW car apart:

 

uncleboob

Full Member
Dec 28, 2012
915
53
Coventry and Warwickshire
For centuries, First Nations here have been making very good knives from smaller files.
Their "forge" was and is no more than a covered trench in the ground. You could do this tomorrow.
In this day and time, very good knives can be made from both new and used farrier's hoof-trimming knives (my favorites).
Excellent steel for adze blades comes from the stacked leaf springs of larger 1-ton (eg Ford F350) truck springs.

Here's justification for ripping a BMW car apart:


Cheers matey

Definitely don't want to do anything too complicated, love the hole in the ground forge, have seen something similar employed by dave Budd (of these parts)
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,354
2,365
Bedfordshire
Neo tribal bladesmithing.

Do a Google search for that and you will have all the videos and forum discussions you can handle ;)

Books, well the $50 knife shop, by Wayne Goddard is pretty good.

A Youtube search for Washtub forge will get you some useful hits that may lead to more.

I remember Tai Goo being an interesting character to look up. He used to post on BladeForums and has a few short videos on Youtube. He is old school, not one of the new generation who get as much, or more, from posting videos as they do from doing their craft, so there may not be so much of his stuff around.

Don Fogg's forum is good for metal smithing https://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php
 

uncleboob

Full Member
Dec 28, 2012
915
53
Coventry and Warwickshire
Neo tribal bladesmithing.

Do a Google search for that and you will have all the videos and forum discussions you can handle ;)

Books, well the $50 knife shop, by Wayne Goddard is pretty good.

A Youtube search for Washtub forge will get you some useful hits that may lead to more.

I remember Tai Goo being an interesting character to look up. He used to post on BladeForums and has a few short videos on Youtube. He is old school, not one of the new generation who get as much, or more, from posting videos as they do from doing their craft, so there may not be so much of his stuff around.

Don Fogg's forum is good for metal smithing https://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php

Cheers matey
 

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