Bob, What kind of steel do you forge knives from? I would love to try to make one of those someday.

Danvers, Do you have a book/magazine that gives you creative designs? I really want to try to make a leaf, horse and rabbit, but I am not sure where to start.

Josh, you look natural on stage!

Eventually I want to make hinges, coat hooks, bridle racks and things like that, for customers and friends (and maybe sell a few on the side)! Just something else I can do to improve the horse shoe making skills.

Amy

NHFarrier wrote: I found that after a late night session of plant hanger leaves, basket twist handles and hart shaped dinner bells, the heels for that odd shaped foot do just what they're told to do.
Go to your local library and check out blacksmithing, they'll have a start.
Bill

Hi All,

I don't sell knives, just make them for fun. You can find them in most Auctions when I am there...
I am planning on making more knives this week. I can take some pictures of the steps and post them.

I have also been known to make Tongs out of sucker rod once in a while.

Hey Smitty you have ice water running thru your veins! Shouldn't pick on us older guys you will be there one day also Now I want a pair of them tongs to go with my new knife! The Big 54 is around the corner if anyone whats to play Birthday Santa to me? :cool:
Actually Bob I want to go to NJ maybe in the summer to visit my" old baby "elephants at Great Adventure in Jackson. Are you anywhere near there?

BPethick wrote:
Bob,
What is a "sucker rod" and where do you find or buy one? Also, what are the steps involved in forging a set of tongs? What special tools does one need in order to forge a pair? Also, were do you buy the supplies needed to forge a hoof knife?

Nice work, thank you.

NHFarrier in gray

Today I just couldn't make a shoe to save my soul, so I just decided to play a bit. Anyone else make things other than shoes?

I don't do much forging these days, but I do a little fabricating.

Bob,
What is a "sucker rod" and where do you find or buy one? Also, what are the steps involved in forging a set of tongs? What special tools does one need in order to forge a pair? Also, were do you buy the supplies needed to forge a hoof knife?

Andrew,

Sucker Rod is found anywhere there are oil wells. It is readily available in Texas, Oklahoma, etc. It stretches and has to be replaced. Jay Sharp made all his tongs out of sucker rod.
You can make tongs, with a hand hammer and anvil. That is the best way to learn the steps using mild steel.
I have a 110 lb. Air Hammer that knocks them out pretty quick. (It also will make a mess even quicker)

You can buy A2 Tool Steel and loveless fasteners for making knives at Jantz Supply. I have given a number of knife making clinics at my shop for the GSHA, so Tom at Montague Blacksmith Supply now carries Steel and fasteners as well.

Come visit sometime!

Bob

Gary Hill wrote:
Hi Gary,

Great Adventure is about an hour south of here. Come on by!

Bob

Bob, how do you forge the heads? I made a pair of tongs once, not nearly as nice as yous bob, but functional. I use them quite a bit, and they work great. They are the first thing I ever forged. Used 12 inches of 5/8 stock. A bit of drawing out.

NHFarrier wrote:
Amy,

I've run across a few books but don't have any of them and don't recall titles or authors. For the most part, I just get an idea and beat on iron until it looks like something. I also steal a lot of ideas.

The cala lillys I posted here were a variation on some that Chip Hunt did; having seen him make a run on them made the process go a lot easier and faster. Evidently, he picked the basic pattern up at a clinic hosted by Danny Ward, and his were a variant of Danny's. I've happily lifted lots of ideas and such from folks like Charlie Helton and Jim Keith, who are very willing to teach and share.

A lot of this sort of stuff used to get printed in Anvil magazine, and if you can get your hands on old issues, you'll find some really good step-by-step articles. I recall working on leaves for days after reading an Edward Martin how-to article in Anvil.

I've picked up quite a few things on the internet as well, going to various blacksmithing sites, such as anvilfire. It's surprising how many patterns you can find if you search the web. Another source for patterns is craft shops.... you can pick up cheap silk flowers, take them apart and make patterns out of them.

Most often, I just do stuff like this...

A hoof pick and another version of the bridle hook...

I have used coil springs to make knives with. Have made a couple hoof knives for myself. The coil spring steel seems to hold a very good edge. You can also use one of your old files.

Mikel

Danvers,
Beautiful stuff!!

Hey Bob, any chance that you might bring me one of those knives to Ken Davis and Sons Open House??????????????????


PPPPLLLLLEEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEE

Dave Purves

Jaye Perry wrote:

Hi Dave,

I am sure to have a few for door prizes...

Bob