How about a cool WIP??

Well , there you go ... I always wanted to do a WIP , this has been by far my most ambitious project and I tried to capture the process as much as I can , I have to say ; with welding gloves about to catch fire it is not always to take them off and take pics but I have tried my best
After loosing 8 blades due to strange cracks as if they were cooled way too rapidly ( not the case ) I had to stop what I am doing not to damage any customs In works due to rushing and wanted to tackle the task of making a knife out of tamahagane . This was acquired from a young japanese sword smith I met online
I wasn't sure how much refined steel I would get out of the 800gr tamahagane so i kept my plans flexible .
Fire in the hole

It is covered in wet paper and clay to avoid de carburisation in first few heats . Initially steel feels more like a sponge , it is moving quite fast under gentle hammer taps

Here after few heats and being squashed Into more manageable size


Next fold

It is at its 4th fold at this moment


One more fold

At this stage It is starting to behave like a simple carbon steel under the hammer , feels bit stiffer than what it was but no where near like chromium carbon steels like 52100 .
I have lowered the temp on forge and started sunobe ( shaping into a blade )

After 2 heats it is starting look like a knife


After this pic I have forged the bevels more and it is at its final shape prior to heat treating , no pics of this stage

Now cleaned up and covered in mud it is ready for thermal cycling


Being normalised at this moment


After 3 normalising cycles it is heating for heat treatment


More to come

 

It's about to being quenched in water , no stress , don't f this up

After a heart stopping quench I haven't heard the ping and made few victory laps in shop
Quick pass on grinder to check the hamon , so far so good

After this I have polished with the sand paper I had in hand and continued with finger stones




The other side , there is so much activity that I don't seem to be able Capture with my camera
More to come soon

 

Sometimes you just have to walk away from things and do something else. In your case the something else was really cool.

 

Amazing looking stuff Mert can't wait to see more.

 

Awesome project, looks like a lot of fun, and a great way to freshen your brain!

 

This is like a really long ad break on your favourite TV program ....

Can't wait for the next instalment.

 

This was great.

 

This is much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

 

Thank you all , waiting to finish few customs and I will get this one finished as well . I have chosen mallee burl as handle material with copper , no frills no bling .

 

Great stuff. A fan here of the less bling and frills. Great 1st WIP. You need a buddy in there to take more action shots!

 

Outstanding WIP Mert.
I enjoy them so much and apreciate the finished knives much more after watching the magic happen.

 

Wow, this is great. Thanks for showing, Mert!