machete mark II

[gfish]

I started a second machete blade over Christmas in Spokane, using 9/16" W-1 toolsteel drillrod from OnlineMetals. I didn't get the tip flared like I wanted, but other I was really happy with the forging. The flats were far more regular this time, with no major hammer marks. Last week I spent a lot of time finishing the blade. I filed the flats of it flat this time, which took a ridiculous amount of effort. I just want to get one of these done completely by hand and then I'll buy a belt sander.

Next step will be heat treating, but I'm having a lot problems getting clay to properly adhere for fancy differential-quenching. If I can't get that to work after a couple more attempts, I'm going to fall back to a basic full quench plus temper. Oh well.

Comments

[corivax.livejournal.com]

That looks very sexy! I am jealous.

[tfabris.livejournal.com]

> I'm having a lot problems getting clay to properly adhere for fancy differential-quenching.

It strikes me that there would be some known procedures for doing exactly that. Perhaps it's a certain kind of extra-sticky clay, or maybe there's some kind of surfactact you have to wash the blade with?

Don't you have books on this topic!?

[najalaise.livejournal.com]

Yummy!

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

Add just a tiny bit of cement dust. That'll stick to *anything*. The problem is getting it back off.

So how do you planish-hammer to leave a good flat surface? Are you doing everything with your small sledge, do you have one with rolled edges or somesuch to keep from leaving edgemarks, do you have a fuller or flatter?

[ionan.livejournal.com]

That there is hot shit. Impressive work, my friend. Wouldn't mind seeing it in person.

[gfish.livejournal.com]

I was just using my standard cross-peen hammer. It has a rounded edge, but it's still easy to leave big indents if you're not careful. A flatter is the next thing I plan on getting. :)

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

Or making? coz, after all, YOU have a FORGE!