Making knives has become a new pastime of mine over the years. I like to use old discarded tool steel such as this old chipping hammer bit below. Next step was to place it into the propane forge and heat it up until it turns cherry red or about 1500 degrees...
At this point the steel is in its softer stage called annealed. Now is the time to drill holes to
attach the handles in one of the last steps after a few more heating processes.
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| The steel is now very hard and somewhat brittle. It will need to cool down in preparation of the final step placed into an oven set to 400 degress which will slightly soften the steel, removing the brittelness but hard enough to hold a sharp edge. |
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| This is an optional step. By applying mustard to the steel you are etching the surface leaving any desired pattern onto the blade. |
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| Finished knife, oiled and ready for use! |
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