Top 9 best bladesmithing steel for 2019
Finding the best bladesmithing steel suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Best bladesmithing steel
1. The Master Bladesmith: Advanced Studies in Steel
Description
This advanced study of steel reveals forging secrets that for centuries have been protected by guilds. Never-before-seen instructions, diagrams and photos explain the tricks behind using Japanese mokume gane, differential heat treating, power hammers, and other techniques to make kukris, wavy blades, spears and swords that bear the master's mark.
2. Hell's Forge Portable Propane Forge Single Burner Knife and Tool Making Farrier Forge MADE IN THE USA
Feature
Single forge burner furnace with 2300F capacityOval interior is perfect for smaller projects
Unique oval designs allows for ideal exposure to the flame's "sweet spot"
1" high density rigid coated for extended life ceramic fiber blanket
Includes full size thick fire brick (4.5" X 9" X 1.25") for the bottom
Description
The Hell's Forge HF1 is proudly made in the USA. The American ingenuity shines through with it's single burner oval design and vertical firing system. These two features allow for your metals to have maximum exposure to the "sweet spot" of the flame allowing for a faster and more even firing. This single burner will reach temperatures of 2300F making it ideal to work with nearly any metals such as: gold, copper, silver, brass, bronze, aluminum, magnesium, alloys, tin, stainless steel, steel or lead. With it's high pressure regulator with 48" hose (up to 20 PSI) and 3/8" flare adaptor, this forge is perfect for farriers, knife and tool casters, jewelry makers and a whole suite of other applications. It's compact but functional exterior size allows for lightning fast set up and even faster heat up (just 5 minutes or less). Safety and operating instructions included.Great gift for anyone that enjoys the reality show forged in fire and DIY projects!3. Damascus Steel by Hank Knickmeyer (an American Bladesmith Society DVD) 3 DVDs
Description
(NOTE: American Bladesmith Society DVDs are NOT Hollywood productions and some titles do not have DVD case art. They do offer the highest level of instruction by ABS Mastersmiths for serious knifemakers and bladesmiths)
This is a three (3) DVD set of ABS Master Smith Hank Knickmeyer demonstrating the making of several Damascus steel patterns including a powder metal Damascus billet.
This DVD set was filmed during the Fifth Mid America Bladesmithing Exposition held in Troy, Ohio which was sponsored by the American Bladesmith Society, Inc and hosted by the Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil.
DVD #1:
1) Introduction & Candidate Steels; 2) Twisting a Knife Edge Damascus Billet; 3) 20 Element 1080/15N20 Billet; 4) Forging the 1080/15N20 Billet; 5) 1084/4 % Ni Powder Metal Billet Preparation; 6) Inserting Oxygen Getter; 7) Installing Registration Marked End Caps; 8) Knickmeyer Knives Slide Show
DVD #2:
1) Powder Metal Billet Preparation; 2) Billet Heating Phenomenon; 3) Forging the Powder Metal Billet; 4) Re-Weld Billet's Handle End-Cap; 5) Damascus Pattern Development; 6) Continue Bias Forging Powder Billet; 7) Forge a Welded on Edge Blade; 8) San-Mai Damascus Discussion.
DVD #3:
1) Introduction; 2) 1084/4%Nil PM Billet & Forging Discussion; 3) Pattern Damascus Forging Discussion; 4) Forging Powder Metal Billet; 5) Forging Influences on Grain Structure; 6) Bias Forging Billet & Etched Damascus Pattern; 7) Forging Rectangular Billet & Grinding Jig; 8) Forge Weld Edge on Damascus Blade
4. Atlas Mini Forge Stainless Knifemaker Forge with Burner
Feature
Stainles Knife Maker Forge - bladesmithing blacksmithingDescription
Chamber measures 2.5 diameter 11 2" rear opening Max temp of 2350 F 600+BTU per cubic inch, Hot enough to forge weld! One of the only knifemaker specific forges available, it's designed and built by knifemakers. All the improvements to the forge over the past 7 years have come from recommendations from knifemakers. All forges are hand made in Iowa, USA, so yours will vary slightly from the picture. The Atlas Mini Forge uses insulating firebrick. This brick is softer and very efficient, and is much safer for your lungs than wool. The Atlas Mini Forge can use kerosene or brake cleaner as flux without damaging any bricks. My personal preference is to weld fluxless. I've had great success due to the neutrality of the flame in the Atlas Mini. Be aware that the bricks are very fragile and will crack due to expansion from heating, moisture, etc. This is normal and unavoidable. We have used thermal imaging to inspect the forges during use and have found that it does NOT affect the performance of the forge. Includes forge, adjustable sliding tool rest 0-20 PSI regulator w/hose connects to 20lb. propane tanks Atlas stainless steel 30k BTU burner IN STOCK AND USUALLY SHIPS OUT THE NEXT DAY5. Advanced Damascus Patterning on DVD with CD-ROM
Description
"I must say that JD (Smith) is on to something revolutionary. I highly recommend his instructional video." - Knifemakers Guild Newsletter. "This two disk DVD, CD-rom set probably has the highest production values of any similar work today." - AnvilFire. "This DVD and accompanying CD is the most complete and informative production I have seen yet. I have been making damascus steel for quite a few years now and read and viewed as many books and multi-media productions that I can find. Your coverage of basic patterns leading into more complex creations should be easy to follow for beginners, and as an experienced bladesmith, helped me improve my own work. I can highly recommend this production to other bladesmiths." - Daniel Winkler. Includes one DVD and one interactive CD course.6. Hell's Forge Portable Propane Double Burner Large Capacity Knife and Tool Making Farrier Forge MADE IN THE USA
Feature
Double burner propane forge furnace with 2300 degree capacityLarge (19" x 6.75 x 3.5") oval interior allows for maximum workspace
Unique oval design allows for ideal exposure to the flame's "sweet spot"
1" high density rigid coated extended life ceramic fiber blanket
Includes two full size, thick (9" x 4.5 x 1.25") fire bricks for the bottom
Description
The Hell's Forge HF2 is proudly made in the USA. The American ingenuity shines through with it's double burner oval design and vertical firing system. These two features allow for your metals to have maximum exposure to the "sweet spot" of the flame allowing for a faster and more even firing. With it's two burners (which can be used at the same time or one at a time) it will reach temperatures of 2300 degrees. This makes it ideal to work with nearly any metals such as: gold, copper, silver, brass, bronze, aluminum, magnesium, alloys, tin, stainless steel, steel or lead. With it's high pressure regulator with 48" hose (up to 20 PSI) and 3/8" flare adaptor, this forge is perfect for farriers, knife and tool casters, jewelry makers and a whole suite of other applications. It's compact but functional exterior size allows for lighting fast set up and even faster heat up (just 5 minutes or less). Safety and operating instructions included.7. got bladesmith? - 5oz Round Drinking Alcohol Flask, Matte Black
Feature
A discrete 5oz stainless steel round flask that fits easily in your pocket for easy concealment.A perfect gift for the raging alcoholic in your life or that classy(trashy) neighbor! An even better gift for mother's day, fathers day, graduations, groomsmen, bridal showers and birthdays!
Safety first! Its safe for the dishwasher but not the microwave. Duh. Its metal
Parties or drinking alone, it don't matter. Whiskey, Rum, Vodka, or our personal favorite Tequilla.
Description
Need a gift for your boss, spouse, friend, neighbor, mailman, or alcoholic in your life? This round flask makes a great choice for a gift! It features a classic styling made from a newly designed mold for maximum durability.8. US Forge 400 Welding Gloves Lined Leather, Blue - 14"
Feature
Premium leather welding glovesCotton lined for comfort
Locked stitched for added strength
Description
d2 Drake Off Road Tools9. Damascus Steel with J.W. Randall (an American Bladesmith Society DVD) 3 DVDs
Description
(NOTE: American Bladesmith Society DVDs are NOT Hollywood productions and some titles do not have DVD case art. They do offer the highest level of instruction by ABS Journeymen and Master Smiths for serious knifemakers and bladesmiths).
This is a three (3) DVD set of ABS Master Smith J.W. Randall demonstrating the making of several Damascus steel patterns including Mosaic Damascus patterns.
This DVD set was filmed during the Fifth Mid America Bladesmithing Exposition held in Troy, Ohio which was sponsored by the American Bladesmith Society, Inc and hosted by the Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil.
DVD #1 of 3 contains the following Chapters:
1) Introduction; 2) Damascus Steel Choices; 3) Damascus Pattern Discussion; 4) Cleaning, De-scaling & Fluxing Steels; 5) Initial Welding 20 Element Billet; 6) Cutting & Folding Forming 40 Layer Billet; 7) Forming a 80 Layer Billet; 8) Creating the 160 Layer Billet
DVD #2 of 3 contains the following Chapters:
1) Continue: Creating the 160 Layer Billet; 2) Forming Ladder Pattern using Spring Swage; 3) Fashioning & Grinding Ladder Pattern; 4) Discussion of Randall's Damascus Billets; 5) Billet Fabrication Process; 6) Etching the Ladder Pattern; 7) Accordion Damascus, Hardy Mandrel Jig; 8) Randall's Damascus Billet Slide Show
DVD #3 of 3 contains the following Chapters:
1) Multi-Bar Mosaic Damascus Pattern; 2) Initial Mosaic Pattern Forge Weld; 3) 1st Cut & Fold of Mosaic Billet; 4) 2nd Cut @ 90o to 1st and Fold; 5) Description of Randall's Forge; 6) 3rd Cut & Fold; 7) Trimming Pattern Billet & Etching; 8) Slide Show of Randall's Knives
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