My husband is wanting to make custom knives, but doesn't know how to get started. He needs to know where to find anvuls, how much it might cost to get started and what ever else info he can get.
2007-01-02 04:39:39 · 4 answers · asked by savitor 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
It's do-able. We built a forge out of cinder blocks a few years ago and forged a sword. That said, between four people, it took us the better part of four months to make it. And the resulting piece was not pretty, although if the Vikings invaded, it would have taken heads off no problem.
I'm not sure where the guy who got the anvil got it. The forge was easy enough to build--cinder blocks, with a very very small chimney (you want to keep as much heat as possible inside--getting the right balance on the chimney size is probably the hardest part). We filled in the edges with that quick-dry cement stuff, which ended up cracking, so I wouldn't recommend it. Proper mortar would probably be better.
Other than that, the materials aren't bad. Big metal hammer (we used a small sledge), a flat, heat-resistant surface to hammer on (we used the sidewalk, which I am sure in many ways accounts for the not-prettiness of the sword), bellows, and a bucket of water. We bought cold iron at a hardware store. Expect very sore arms.
All that said...we got a nice, utilitarian object out of it. To create something that actually looks nice, it would likely take more expensive materials and a LOT of practice.
2007-01-02 05:29:29 · answer #1 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything I ever learned about the trade/art can be found right here:
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2007-01-02 14:34:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read once that you can forge old iron files into knives, with an electric stove. You have to leave the file on the stove for about twelve hours or until it starts glowing. Then you can hammer it into shape on hard smooth cement.
I've never tried it, but It seems like your house would be a high risk for fires that day.
You can also try Google for Blacksmith supplies.
2007-01-02 12:49:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes years of practice to learn the craft... years... He should consider apprenticing with someone first.
2007-01-02 12:42:39 · answer #4 · answered by I hate friggin' crybabies 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋