r/Blacksmith

Made this a bit ago. Followed this tutorial from Empty Pockets Ironworks on YT:

https://youtu.be/sWs48Oo9OgU?si=\_188-5BgqtLmjPi5

I made theses two knives from some 1inch all thread, I know not the best. But it was scrap I had. I’m pretty happy with these, considering I have only been at the anvil (self taught) for a very small amount of time.

I appreciate this community. Yall are the best and let me know what you guys think!

Im happy it looks exactly like the drawing

Customers happy

Everyone’s happy

I’m especially proud of the centre piece it was a head scratcher

hey! the first pattern is 1080 and 15n20, feather. the second is 1080 and 15n20 mosaic explosion pattern. the next is 1080 and nickle, wasp nest pattern, and the last Is w2 roundbar with 1080 and nickle powder, raindrop pattern.

Three hooks.

Dog Head, Dude, and one inspired by traditional skewer hopders.

I bought some "H13" Blocks that I had cut at a local (now defunct) tool and die manufacturing place. i just recently installed them on my hammer after hardening and tempering in my digital kiln. I wrapped in stainless foil, slowly raised temp to 1800°, held for 3 hours, air cooled, then tempered at 1100° for 2 hours. Very quickly after installing I noticed that they weren't hard. I forged a few things with a pinball as a top swage, and the pinball made deep divots in the die and did not distort the pinball. For reference I included pics of my 15 year old mild steel dies. I used a ball swage hundreds of times on them with no divots, and the balls would get distorted after a few uses.

I assume the die manufacturer just sold me some random bar stock, because even annealed I thought H13 was tougher than mild steel.

Any opinions / advice? Die faces are 2.5" x 4" x 2"H. I have 2 more chunks of this "H13". I guess I can weld em to new plates and try again.

I made these this week, they're made from 80crv2 and 1084 with cherry or ash handle abd nickle pins

I currently have another harbor freight anvil (yes I know HF dont MAKE those anvils but they sell them lol) which is 55 pounds and iron. it has served me well but this 65 pound one seems to be bigger, and I quite like the spike on the end since my current one does have one. and its also made out of steel so in theory it would be more durable...right?

Personally not my cup of tea but eh