Blacksmith's Craft

164 layers of Iron and Steel,made by welding several layers in the coke fired forge, drawn out, and folded 4 times, welded each time, then twisted, forged to shape, then ground, fashoned into shape. Handle is from a cast off antler from a Sambar Deer (Did not die for this)with shoe sole leather spacers, and brass trim. Whew ! Thought you might enjoy seeing an example of this age old craft... *R*

for your craftmanship as well!

Thank You !*R*

Two works of beauty -- the knife and the photo.

The gift of a simple statment, "well done" ! Thank you ! *R*

John's right ... both are gorgeous! Regards!

I like this, Roger - something a little different than the ordinary.

Glad to show a bit of my work, it is of interest that most do not know that this still goes on, a "Lost Art" that is NOT lost, well not yet anyway. {^; *R*

Here for your eyes is an age old craft, thought to be "Lost" but

never really gone. I have been doing this for ever it seems, simple

yet complex, an Art Form of the Ages... Comments and suggestions,

more that welcome. *R*

Very, very nice Roger. Detail is wonderful.

Roger, this is just incredible workmanship! I can clearly see the beautiful pattern in the blade. The photo shows it off well. What are the round balls? Nice! Do you sell your work?

Balls ?....oh, balls, yes, steel ball bearings. And yes I sell them or more properly, find then a good home ! {^; *R*

How much for one like this one ? USD $

 

Also do you make the leather to go with it (sheath) ? ...... Very beautiful Comrade.

But with a sheath....about 800 Yankee dollars...And Ken, thank you, for asking....your a good mate ! *R*

I recently saw an interview with a Canadian swordsmith who studied with a Japanese master for 10 years, and learned there's as much science as there is art behind sword making and vintage sword restoration. So Roger, I can appreciate the Blacksmith's Craft both in the creation and its photography. :-)

Roger, the water droplets really add to this. Do you always use bone(antler) for the handles?

Knicki, I use what ever turns me on for the project, some I use Mother of Pearl, Buffalo Horn, slected and fine types of burl timber, fossel ivory (Because it is NOT endangered) which I scrimshaw with various things, mostly sailing themes. Now I am working on one with Rams Horn, very rough on the surface, which has interest in it's own right. The end product is more Art than anything, as Michael has pointed out science plays a roll as well in the whole task, I have been doing this for more years than I wish to say here, just know it has taken many years to get to this stage.....Thank you for your interest.....Blacksmithing is my trade, this should really be about photography.....Eh ? (Trying to be humble here ! Not easy....)*R*

All that water can't be good for the blade!!! Ha. No reason to be humble. This is a beautiful piece of work. It's funny I often find fault with photographers (even myself sometimes) taking pictures of other people's art. Though photographically you've added enough elements that I would not have accused you of such, you circumvented any possibility by creating the art! I'm not sure why you chose ballbearings as the balancing factor (I especially don't like how close they are to the handle) except to offer a fleeting glimpse of the blacksmith. Not that I really mind them as much as I don't see the correlation. I think a touch more light on the handle also would be nice. Nevertheless this is a fine image of a fine piece of work. Can you tell any more about what causes the intricate pattern on the blade itself?

The pattern is because of the different layers dissolve in Acid at different rates....lower carbon steels and iron, very slowly, high carbon, faster and thus turn "gray" By then carefully working these layers with fine grades of paper, the mild stands out as polished, and the other as darker....and the water, if not left on, does no damage, for the same reason that we can take our guns out in the rain, and warm them by the fire when the Hunter Gatherer returns home from the hunt.....Guy stuff again !{^; *R*

Ok, back to photography ...... Show me one of these sitting on an anvil with a few tools scattered around and the glow of the forge in the not too distant background - so there .

Photography IS where it is at, and since I don't do Digital, you will just have to wait until my latest roll is developed and scanned....right back at ya Ken.....Would you like that with Eggs, easy over ?*R*

Will this do for now? *R*

after your latest lighting dick comment I was bit nervous looking at your anvil work.

 

good heavens man!

 

 

It's alright love....we from Oz are gentlemen to a fault ! *R*

Texans too - to a fault - hate that ........ )-;

 

Yes, that will do for now - maybe even a blurred hammer on its way to the mark ....... over easy - yes

 

Richard ?