Make your own knife class: a review

[UncleJak]

My son and I spent the weekend with Spots and his family. I’ll have to admit that at first I was skeptical. Who would invite a stranger to their place, teach them to blacksmith, and let them keep whatever they make? Spots and his dad did just that. The hospitality my son and I were shown was reminiscent of the kind of neighbors I had growing up. They are the type of people who will do anything for anyone and not ask a thing in return.
We arrived Saturday morning and started to Hardees to have some breakfast. After breakfast we headed to the forge. Within the 1[sup]st[/sup] hour, we had learned the basics of forge building and about the best methods for burning with coal. By the end of the 2[sup]nd[/sup] hour, I had a nearly completed knife! My son has a school project coming up that requires him to make a musical instrument. Spots assisted him in forging a dinner bell style triangle. After that, Spots was beginning to forge a bowie knife. My son stated that he would like to also make one. Spots then offered to give my son the one he was starting if he would help make it! All three of us worked on it over the course of the two days and Spots made a matching tomahawk to give to my son that matched the Bowie! That night we all slept very soundly.
The next day we continued to work on our projects and started a few new projects. By the end of the second day, we had two completed knives, the matching bowie/hawk set, two musical triangles, and three small blades that I am going to finish and insert into handles. We took all these items home and the only thing asked in return was a review of his class and the items.
The generosity of Spots and his dad will never be forgotten. In two days I gained knowledge, skills, and new friends. My son and I hope to make it out again real soon!
Additionally, my son wrote a review. I have transcribed it word for word:
“I loved smithing from the start. Jordan taught me all I needed to know about smithing, from hammering to grinding and from heating to shaping. He looked like John Henry pounding the metal into whatever he liked. It taught me to understand Tennessee’s main art of the old times. I think it is a good way to understand our past, we use it in our present, and our future, well, that’s something we need to find out ourselves.”
[img]http://i49.tinypic.com/2uj17r5.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i47.tinypic.com/35laf4z.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i45.tinypic.com/123mmxi.jpg[/img]

[Spots]

I'm really glad you and your son had a great time. You were both awesome students, and workers, very quick learners, and well mannered guest. You guys are welcome back anytime. Btw thats the first time anyone has every compared me to John Henry lol. And you son better get an A on the forge welded triangle.

[peejman]

Cool. I need a kitchen pass.

What's the story on the pattern in the bowie?

[Guest Broomhead]

Looks like they were made from farrier's rasps. I know he got a bunch from another member here. Those rasps make really cool designs on stock-removal knives also.

Spots and his dad and a rare breed to be sure. My dad and I have been twice and are going again on the 12/8. Both times they have been very generous with their time, knowledge, help and supplies.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by! If you've ever had the slightest curiosity for blacksmithing or knife making, then you need to take Spots up on this offer. It is well worth the drive if you have one; we drive from Nashville. Edited November 19, 2012 by Broomhead

[Spots]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1353357309' post='848331']
Cool. I need a kitchen pass.

What's the story on the pattern in the bowie?
[/quote]

Well get that pass cleared and come on out. Brromhead is correct, the pattern is from the teeth that were left on the rasp we used for the bowie and the hawk.. and looking forward to having you out Broomhead.

[peejman]

Ah. Knives from worn out files. I may have a source for a few of those.

[Guest Broomhead]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1353416028' post='848686']
Ah. Knives from worn out files. I may have a source for a few of those.
[/quote]

I'd buy a few off you. I don't pound my steel...yet...But I do make stock removal knives. Old files can make really cool designs on knives.

[Spots]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1353416028' post='848686']
Ah. Knives from worn out files. I may have a source for a few of those.
[/quote]

Or sell them all to me and I'll give broomhead his half on the 8th when he comes up for some more forge time.

[Guest Broomhead]

[quote name='Spots' timestamp='1353417176' post='848692']
Or sell them all to me and I'll give broomhead his half on the 8th when he comes up for some more forge time.
[/quote]

That works too.

[peejman]

Knives from old files was a total "duh-huh" moment for me.

Titanium is tough stuff and can be very sensitive to high speed tools. We do lots of hand work on titanium, hence we wear out lots of files. So I wandered over and asked the guys what they do with worn out files... "we toss 'em in that drawer over there."

BAM!

[img]http://patrickleanne.smugmug.com/Other/random-stuff/i-M2spWxZ/0/L/MVC-528F-L.jpg[/img]


I'll work out some way to get them to Spots.

[Spots]

I can meet you somewhere near you place to pick them up if youd like?

[Guest Broomhead]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1353425559' post='848736']
[img]http://patrickleanne.smugmug.com/Other/random-stuff/i-M2spWxZ/0/L/MVC-528F-L.jpg[/img]
[/quote]

Dayyyyumn that is a lot of freaking files!

[peejman]

Nice to meet you. I think there's at least 2 in there that will be useable....

When I get back to work, I'll dig up some info on titanium for you.

[Spots]

[quote name='peejman' timestamp='1353536321' post='849253']
Nice to meet you. I think there's at least 2 in there that will be useable....

When I get back to work, I'll dig up some info on titanium for you.
[/quote]

Nice meeting you too. Thank you so much for the files, they are soon to be reborn into something much different.