AAR: Make your own knife class with Spots

[Sandman]

This morning I loaded up my truck and headed up to Spots blacksmith shop. When I arrived, I was greeted by 2 dogs and a pig (literally a pig). Spots came down to meet me and we headed into the forge. After a few minutes of chitchat we decided to make me a Bowie knife as well as a small knife. Spots picked a piece of steel and we put it into the fire. While it was heating up, Spots showed me the different tools and what they did and their practical use. He instructed me on what to do when the steel was at appropriate temp and we soon began hammering on the anvil.

I hammered and hammered until the general design of the knife was formed, we angled it, filed it, and polished her down. I did it all again for a smaller knife for my dad. It was a great experience that I plan to indulge in again. It was alot of work, but it was paced out and filled in with good conversation. I was skeptical at first when I PMed Spots about the class. I have never met him and thought it was a little odd that he would spend half of his day teaching me for free. I figured he would ask for money or something...in fact, I thought I would test him a little seeing how all the posts about his class said it was free. I didn't mention money. I didn't mention trading him anything for his time. To my surpass, neither did he. Never once did he ask for money. He never implied anything about a payment. Spots truly likes teaching the art of blacksmithing. His work is top notch. I recommend this class for any/everyone.

Here's some pics of before, during, and after

[img]http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac185/Crosshairs11/image-3.jpeg[/img]
[img]http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac185/Crosshairs11/photo-2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac185/Crosshairs11/image-2.jpeg[/img]
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[img]http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac185/Crosshairs11/image-1.jpeg[/img]

[Spots]

Sandman you were a true joy to teach. I actually had three people come up this weekend. Broomhead and his father came up for the third time on sat. We worked on several things, including a hawk from a brick hammer, a kiridashi from a file, a blank for a kukri blade, a letter opener set for Broomhead Sr's better half, , a coat hanger for his office, and a horseshoe hook for his granddaughter. We worked all day, starting at about 815, and getting done around 430. As always they were great fun to have come out, they worked hard, got a lot done, and always bring some great ideas to the table.

Everything made by Broomhead and his Dad

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-33-52_126.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-34-09_595.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-34-12_310.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-34-04_758.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-33-59_244.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-34-01_978.jpg[/img]

Did somebody order a hammer swinger

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-08_14-40-08_666-1.jpg[/img]

And then on sunday, today, Sandman drove up. He got there right on time, and I woke up late lol. He already listed what all he made, so I'll just post some pictures of the work in progress and the two blades I finished up this weekend.

So to make a knife you have to hammer....

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_09-24-48_332.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_09-24-40_349.jpg[/img]

and hammer.....

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_09-24-52_830.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_09-25-10_77.jpg[/img]

and hammer some more!!!!

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_09-25-18_52.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_09-25-22_654.jpg[/img]

Then once you get it to within about 25% of its final shape you start to grind

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_11-22-32_516.jpg[/img]

and grind....

[img]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_12-38-19_396.jpg[/img]

and grind some more....

[IMG]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_12-38-30_366.jpg[/IMG]

See next post for finish Edited December 9, 2012 by Spots

[Spots]

And after some really hard work, lotsa time and effort, you have a good well made blade, and a lot of memories.

[IMG]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_13-56-59_54.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_13-57-22_62.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_13-56-45_732.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_13-56-39_170.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/tnplowboy07/2012-12-09_13-57-47_473.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks for being awesome friends and students gentleman. You guys are welcome back anytime.

[UncleJak]

Awesome knives sandman! It is amazing what can be made with a lot of hard work. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but Spots really is awesome.

[Guest Broomhead]

Dad and I had a blast at Spots' place on Saturday...as usual of course. My hands aren't hurting anymore. Though, I think Spots was right, We need to go more often so we can build up the callouses and muscles needed for blacksmithing.

The tomahawk that he posted started life as a worn out pawn shop brick hammer, like the stock photo below.
[img]https://www.macbuildingproducts.com/images/14HAMBRICKEST.gif[/img]

After fighting to remove the rubber handle, and beating on it for what seemed like hours, it turned out like this.
[img]http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq48/Broomheads/20121208_143419.jpg[/img]

Next step is to drill some holes for pins, find a suitable handle material, and figure out how to attach said handle material. I am pleased with the way this thing turned out...thanks to Spots' knowledge and help.

Glad you had fun Sandman. Everyone needs to take Spots up on his offer, especially if you've ever had the slightest interest in blacksmithing.

[jaxjohn419]

I absolutely concur. Spots and his Dad were truly welcoming. My son and I had a great time there a couple months ago. I am looking forward to hanging out with them again.

[UncleJak]

Guess who is buying a brick hammer this week??

[Guest Broomhead]

[quote name='UncleJak' timestamp='1355170136' post='857981']
Guess who is buying a brick hammer this week??
[/quote]

LMAO!! Glad I could inspire.

[Spots]

[quote name='Broomhead' timestamp='1355170320' post='857983']


LMAO!! Glad I could inspire.
[/quote]

Yeah I'm definetly stealing that idea. Start hunting flea markets and pawn shops for.brick hammers to turn into breaching hawks.

[bigbabysweets]

I'm on the brick hammer band wagon as well!

[Guest Broomhead]

Masons everywhere are going to be missing their hammers now. LMAO!