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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 9:15:13 GMT
I decided to register at SBG finally, and here is my first post. I hope no one will take offense if the subject has been brought up a million times; I can only assure you that I am sincere, and by God, to each and every person who points me in the right direction, I will give credit when all is said and done. So please help me out:
I want to make swords. Plain and simple. But I know it's not that easy. I have always had artistic aspirations. It started with a love for drawing which evolved into a love for painting and, if it means anything, I was deemed Artist of the Year when I graduated HS. Unfortunately, I never pursued it. My years in college earned me a business degree. Perhaps one day I'll make use of it, but for now, I know I will not be happy unless my hands create art. That really is plain and simple. Every now and then, I've meddle around with sculpting things, and I have a hunch that I'd be good at forging swords. I will not know until I try. I can come up with designs and dimensions all day long, but can I actually MAKE them?
That's what I want to find out, and I have a few questions:
1) Do I need to go to a school of some sort, or would an apprenticeship suffice for learning the skills I need to know?
2) How much would blacksmithing or knife-making school cost?
3) How much would I be looking to spend on tools and material?
4) I'm still a fairly ripe, but quickly-aging, 26 year old. Do I honestly have enough time to gain the experience and skills to be good?
5) Aside from the famous names that make the magazines or get their stuff licensed, is the profession profitable enough to do full-time, or will you definitely need another job on the side?
5) Heh ... how do I start??
I can only assume from reading innumerable friendly and helpful posts here so far, that someone will respond to this all the same. For that, I thank you in advance. And for helping me achieve what I believe to be a calling, my gratitude cannot be expressed enough.
Phill Haney
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 9:48:47 GMT
1) Do I need to go to a school of some sort, or would an apprenticeship suffice for learning the skills I need to know? Yes. 2) How much would blacksmithing or knife-making school cost? Depends on the master. 3) How much would I be looking to spend on tools and material? $2500 4) I'm still a fairly ripe, but quickly-aging, 26 year old. Do I honestly have enough time to gain the experience and skills to be good? Of course! 5) Aside from the famous names that make the magazines or get their stuff licensed, is the profession profitable enough to do full-time, or will you definitely need another job on the side? You will need side job until your famous, maybe. 5) Heh ... how do I start?? Right here on SGB!!!
.......Hope this helps a little...SanMarc.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 9:50:19 GMT
And I'll give ya a +1 Karma for a good firts post!
.............SanMarc.
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Post by brotherbanzai on Dec 27, 2008 16:05:20 GMT
Hi tripleh, you can start by reading everything you can get your hands on. Read all the stickies at the top of this forum, and in the like sections of Sword Forum International. Then read all the links you come across in those stickies. That will be free and will answer most of your questions. Here's a couple links to get you started... forums.swordforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=99www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.htmlStart with knives (or even just basic forging) and when you get good at that move on to longer blades. If you want to get your feet wet you can always just do some stock-removal blades first. Doesn't have the same mystique as forging but you can start for under $100 and learn all about heat treating and steel which are integral parts of making a good blade. Anything you are willing to put the time and energy into doing well you can potentially make money at. Whether or not you can make a living at anything depends largely on how much money you need to live. Read, read, read. Then read some more.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 16:29:12 GMT
Phill, where are you located?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 16:40:04 GMT
1) Do I need to go to a school of some sort, or would an apprenticeship suffice for learning the skills I need to know? Not necessary at all, but helpful in the extreme. 2) How much would blacksmithing or knife-making school cost? Depends on the master. 3) How much would I be looking to spend on tools and material? To get started? I spent less than $75. 4) I'm still a fairly ripe, but quickly-aging, 26 year old. Do I honestly have enough time to gain the experience and skills to be good? I'm 34, was 33 when I started in September. 5) Aside from the famous names that make the magazines or get their stuff licensed, is the profession profitable enough to do full-time, or will you definitely need another job on the side? You will need side job until your famous, maybe. (agree here Sanmarc =D) 6) Heh ... how do I start?? Go out, buy the tools, and DO it! I started making knives around the middle of September. My goal was to make swords eventually also (trust me...TRUST ME...do NOT start with a sword lol). I'll link you my threads and let you decide for yourself from them what you may or may not need. There was a LOT of knowledge input into those threads by the helpful members of this board (and others)...which made my learning curve about 1/3 as steep as it could have been lol. First KnifeKnife #2Rail Anchor Wakizashi/Ko-KatanaOsoraku TantoAnd there you have my experience with making blades. The first thread should help you out with how to get started...it's really not that hard...and you can see if you really do like it that way without a HUGE drop of cash. Make sure to read them all though lol, that way you avoid the mistakes I made! Anyhow...I'd love to talk about it more right now...but my wife is climbing all over me because we're late leaving for a road trip and I just got out of the shower lol. If you need any more help just ask here...these guys won't lead you astray =D. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow afternoon to see how you managed. Who knows? Maybe you'll have your first knife started by then! It really is that easy. Cris
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 17:45:11 GMT
Sam - I'm in Clarksville, TN right next to Ft. Campbell, KY.
Thanks SanMarc, for the answers and karma!
Brotherbanzai thank you as well, you pretty much summed up what I figured was the best way to start forging blades. As with starting anything, it's a matter of research. I just wanted to be sure and be steered into the right direction. I'll go through those links and absorb everything I can from SBG and Sword Forum International.
Cris, thanks for potentially being a little later to your destination for me. I'd check out those links you gave me, but they don't seem to be linked to any existing URLs. Either way, it's good to know you've started yourself and believe it's as simple as that.
They say that what we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do. I've always been deterred by one thing: finances. But I've realized a couple of things. In the end, money is not everything, and I won't truly be happy or satisfied if I waste my artistic talents. So I got off my mule and asked some questions. Thank you all again tremendously for answering them.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2008 17:52:15 GMT
There will be more to come tonight, I am gonna score some much needed shop time Phill.
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slav
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Post by slav on Dec 27, 2008 19:29:37 GMT
Clarksville, eh? I'm from Madisonville, KY and there isn't much around here in the way of bladesmithing.... I learned all I could from reading and just trying things out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2008 6:01:23 GMT
Ah. Someone at my work told me there's a guy out in Louisville who forges blades and even armor. Apparently he's even willing to teach people. I'll see if I can't get a name or something, it'd almost be worth moving there for a while if I could get under his wing.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Dec 28, 2008 6:48:40 GMT
I want to make swords. Plain and simple. Well you won't be forging them any time soon. And if you don't want to be a black smith and a knife maker for a long time first, then forget forging and just go for stock removal. You sound like me. I too have a university degree in business, and have a background in sales. But thats not where my heart is. I am an artist and just want to make my swords. But I have no interest in spending a thousand hours forging fire pokers and knives. So I just dedicate my efforts to grinding. I still use my forge for scrolling and minor shaping. But not for blades. NO. Just read lots and ask questions. ? - though the net is a very affordable wealth of info and ears to bend. You can be set up to make your first decent swords for around the cost of a low to mid level sword! $70 - 5" Angle Grinder $20 - 1mm cutoff wheels and 6mm grinding disks. $50 - Hand Held Belt Sander $60 - Drill press $40 - A couple of files. Include a 2nd cut mill file for draw filing. $80 - build a home made forge out of scrap $40 - home made quench tank $10 - Various grades of sand paper $20 - Blade stock $5 - Guard stock $5 - pommel stock Scribe - make your own from offcuts. $2 - Steel Rule - I got a cork backed one I like as it doesn't slide around. $10 - G clamps $10 - Epoxy $20 - Drill bits Safety Gear$40 - Respirator $20 - Ear plugs and muffs $10 - Goggles $15 - Kevlar Gloves $10 - Apron - All clothing must be cotton or leather as they are fire 'resistant' and don't melt. TOTAL: $537? I'm sure I missed some gear, but you get the picture. You only need some pretty basic equipment to get started. And you will buy more as you need it for a piece. I'm sure most blokes have some of that equipment ready to go. Who said "the best carpenter doesn't need the best hammer" Define Good? I guess. I've only been making swords for 15 months. Up to you. Having a business background you have a tool that many makers don't have. You'd know that marketing and smart business are the big deciding factor. I wrote a step by step when I made my very first blade of any type, and it turned out very nice. I have learned alot since then, but it will shine a light for you, and you can ask any questions you think of. /index.cgi?board=fable&action=display&thread=5405&page=1
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Dec 28, 2008 12:51:42 GMT
Books are a great place to start. Tons of great reads available from amazon. Search for bladesmithing books there and you'll turn up some great reads. David Boye's "Step by Step knifemaking" is particularly good if you want to earn money from the job.
As for tools, buy them wisely.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2008 15:56:59 GMT
Brenno gives great advice, the road to becoming a swordsmith is LONG and does not involve swords at first really at all, but it's much cooler haha just kidding . Becoming a swordmaker is a much easier path, there is much less of a learning curve and the layout and grinding skills are quick to come.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2008 23:22:56 GMT
Sorry about that lol, here's the links again =).
/index.cgi?board=swordmaking&action=display&thread=6578
/index.cgi?board=swordmaking&action=display&thread=6660
/index.cgi?board=swordmaking&action=display&thread=7275
/index.cgi?board=swordmaking&action=display&thread=7518
Cris
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2008 8:03:50 GMT
Cris -- Thanks. I'm only on the 2nd link, and I had to take a time out to respond. I'm truly impressed; It's encouraging to know that someone with little experience can successfully forge a nice blade. May I ask, how in the world did you get the curvature on your 2nd railroad spike knife? Is it just a matter of hammering different directions while the steel is hot and malleable? Obviously I have a lot to read still, but I just thought I'd ask here for the short and easy.
Brendan, Sam, Matt (and honestly, everyone at SBG that has taken up this art as either hobby or profession) -- I've stumbled across some remarkable threads and pictures. You're all truly inspirational people, and through some homework and dedication, I hope to be within your ranks one day. Thanks again, everyone.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2008 8:33:58 GMT
Cris -- Thanks. I'm only on the 2nd link, and I had to take a time out to respond. I'm truly impressed; It's encouraging to know that someone with little experience can successfully forge a nice blade. May I ask, how in the world did you get the curvature on your 2nd railroad spike knife? Is it just a matter of hammering different directions while the steel is hot and malleable? Obviously I have a lot to read still, but I just thought I'd ask here for the short and easy. Curvature's easy lol...keeping the curvature OUT is what's hard =). You'll see when you go to forge your first edge bevels lol. You only need to hit it on the sides. Brendan, Sam, Matt (and honestly, everyone at SBG that has taken up this art as either hobby or profession) -- I've stumbled across some remarkable threads and pictures. You're all truly inspirational people, and through some homework and dedication, I hope to be within your ranks one day. Thanks again, everyone. They were a huge help to me too =). I think you'll find that you have almost all you need to do this with just basic hand tools. An anvil, source of air, and a forge are really the only other necessities. Like I said...give me a call if you ever want to BS about this stuff. I'll be more than happy to share what little I know =). Cris
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2008 17:48:59 GMT
Thanks Cris, will keep you in mind. And I think you've earned the right to not be so modest anymore -- that tanto of yours? Incredible. I can only dream of making something as elegant. For now anyway. ;P
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2008 23:16:25 GMT
Cris what do you hammer with your bare fist? You atleast need a hammer to go with the anvil and forge:D.
Tripleh, I advise you to take Brenno's advice, go to your local tool type store, pickup an angle grinder, order some steel from admiral, and give it a try. Worst thing is you will be out about 150$, can always return the grinder.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2008 23:21:33 GMT
Cris what do you hammer with your bare fist? You atleast need a hammer to go with the anvil and forge:D. Tripleh, I advise you to take Brenno's advice, go to your local tool type store, pickup an angle grinder, order some steel from admiral, and give it a try. Worst thing is you will be out about 150$, can always return the grinder. LOL Sam =). I was counting a hammer in the standard hand tools lol. I didn't have to buy a hammer...I already had one =p. Cris
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2008 9:03:38 GMT
Tripleh, I advise you to take Brenno's advice, go to your local tool type store, pickup an angle grinder, order some steel from admiral, and give it a try. Worst thing is you will be out about 150$, can always return the grinder. I will. Actually I'm taking a summation of everyone's advice. I'm presently just soaking in a lot of knowledge, but I'll be "shopping" for tools and materials on the side as well, now that I know what I need.
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