New Project for Dixon 2017

[jcmcclure]

Guys I have been focusing on refining my forging. The pics here are not that great due to the lighting, but his is going to be the blade that I take with me to Dixon's Gunmakers Fair in 2017. This past year I had no idea that they did judging for anything besides guns, but a member here encouraged me to take a knife. With the last minute notice I was only able to a knife that I had already completed, but I was elated to bring a ribbon home. With winter time coming on I decided I would get an early start on this years entry project. Heather and I LOVED the fair and we spent time exploring some of the historic towns in the area. This year we may extend the trip and make more stops along the way.

Blade is forged from 1084 and it will be hafted to antler with through tang construction. I will forge the endcap and will forged an iron guard also.  As I progress I will update the project, but any comments and critiques are welcomed.

[rich pierce]

looking good but I also notice that seems like a very old anvil.  I have one from the family farm from the 1700s that looks similar from above.  do you have a side shot?

[jcmcclure]

looking good but I also notice that seems like a very old anvil.  I have one from the family farm from the 1700s that looks similar from above.  do you have a side shot?

Yep I got blessed with this anvil back in the summer. It is a Mousehole and dates to the last quarter of the 18th century. I got this for 400 or 450 and its 168lbs if I remember correct. One of the feet had a very minor chip, but it does not effect that way it sets and balances.

[oldfireguy]

I'll take that one too when you finish it and win the competition. 

Fred

[jcmcclure]

I'll take that one too when you finish it and win the competition. 

Fred

There guy to took the 1st place in the cutlery division was Dana Buchanan (spelling might be off) and he had an amazing hand forged pipe hawk. It was amazing. Ill keep my fingers crossed for this year. 

[wattlebuster]

Looks cool. I love looking at old anvils.

[conquerordie]

If there's an anvil competition at Dixons, you'll win for sure
Greg

[jcmcclure]

If there's an anvil competition at Dixons, you'll win for sure
Greg

AHHHH....sadly there is not, so I best spend time building a quality knife lol.

[oldtravler61]

Jc you should do well. I have seen your work. Mighty fine indeed. An yes have been acquiring a few antlers for you. Good luck at the show.

[jcmcclure]

Jc you should do well. I have seen your work. Mighty fine indeed. An yes have been acquiring a few antlers for you. Good luck at the show.

Thank you sir, good to hear from you and I am always on the lookout for antler!

[webradbury]

What type of handle are you planning? Nice blade.

[jcmcclure]

What type of handle are you planning? Nice blade.

I am not 100% decided just yet, but it will either be an antler crown piece or I also have some elk tine sections that have make some nice through tang pieces.

[Salkehatchie]

Beautiful anvil!  Blade looks great too. 

When I scrolled down and saw the side view...

Hang on to that angel!

[JCKelly]

Might suggest take your forging and normalize or anneal it before hardening.

That is, at least heat the thing red hot and allow it to air cool. Before you heat it up to quench it.

This refines the very coarse grains that occur here and there in a forging.

Text Book Metallurgy.

That works.

Your P.I.T.A Metallurgist

[rich pierce]

Great looking early anvil. Looks a lot like mine.

[n stephenson]

If you keep winning ribbons , I`m afraid your prices will go up !!! Let`s make a deal or two BEFORE the Fair.  LOL  .    You`ll do big up there !          Nate

[jcmcclure]

Might suggest take your forging and normalize or anneal it before hardening.

That is, at least heat the thing red hot and allow it to air cool. Before you heat it up to quench it.

This refines the very coarse grains that occur here and there in a forging.

Text Book Metallurgy.

That works.



Your P.I.T.A Metallurgist

I do a three times cycle of normalization....I am no expert, but I have spent a good deal of time on making my knives as tough as possible.  The photo I have there is nothing, but my rough forging...there is a good deal of work that goes from there.

[jcmcclure]

Great looking early anvil. Looks a lot like mine.

They are very similar...it seems like yours is slimmer in the waist, if that makes sense lol.

[jcmcclure]

If you keep winning ribbons , I`m afraid your prices will go up !!! Let`s make a deal or two BEFORE the Fair.  LOL  .    You`ll do big up there !          Nate

My prices will always be affordable to my friends, so no worries there! Hollar at me tomorrow. Wife has been sick again, so I have been busy with that. I will be back to work tomorrow and will be a lot less busy.