Damascus in Progress

More work in progress at the shop.   Not too much more to report at this time.

Hooks Galore

16 hooks down and another 16 to go.  That's a fair sized order.  I have a customer who is a wood worker and the projects with my hooks usually sell first so he likes to have a few in stock at his place.

I'm not going to be at the barefoot gardens event this Saturday.

Looks like the rain is going to be with us the next few days so I have to cancel my appearance at the event.  So sorry everyone, I was looking forward to it.

A New Venue for HBI

We'll be at the Barefoot  Gardening Day at the Barefoot Gardens Greenhouse. 

It is scheduled for May the  20th from 10 AM to 3 PM

They are located 3 miles East of McGregor on hwy 210.  There are lots of signs so it is easy to find.

The snow is gone and it's time the embrace the spring! Also time to stock up on your bug spray!

I finally got a hamon to show up after etch and polish!!

The clay on the blade ready to go in the forge.

In the fire!

For those of you not familiar with a hamon go here.

After fiddling about with getting a hamon to show up, it has finally happened.  I cracked a few blades getting the water then oil quench method down pat.  I found that if I leave the blades a little thicker before hardening it helps with survivability.  I moved the etchant a little closer to the fire and I think that may have helped with the reaction.   The cold really slows down the chemical reaction.   There is a few more blades in the process of being forged with a hamon.   I'm going to try a damascus blade very soon.

After the etch in ferric chloride.  Reminds me of an Orca

The edge sharpened and a the polish complete.

The Summer Season will soon be upon the shop.

TJ's is starting on Sunday and we'll be there weather permitting.  I love the bratwurst and if you are in the area it is worth the stop.

The flea market at the Mooselake Riverside Arena will be opening on the 27th of May.  We are there every Saturday they are open barring any unforeseen circumstances.

  I'll add more to the 2017 calendar as things are sorted and confirmed.

Heat treat for a friend

A hidden tang drop point

  A fellow bushcrafter was over to the shop last week and made sure I was sweating by the end of the day.   There was a few projects he wanted done and some parts to pick up.  He is learning to make knives and I do some heat treating for him because he doesn't have the facilities at this time.  Here are some pics of his work.  

I also made him a pack-able draw knife, his had a longer blade than the first one and we put a slight angle on the handles.   We forgot to take a picture of it.   He also helped to make his own bottle opener which was blacked in oil.
 

An Otzi style blade out of steel.  He was going for the flint knapped look.