Excellent Nick. Should be required viewing for beginning bladesmiths. Love the integral guard.

Thank you

Brion

Yes, I agree Brion.

I'll tell you some of what I see in this video.

Stock. Proper size for the project.

Hammer control. Not beating the steel to death, but accurate, accumulative blows using the anvil to best advantage. (It comes with lots of practice)

Heat. Appropriate for the intended movement of material.

Timing. Often overlooked, a very important part of the equation. No wasted time which is wasted heat.

The above all adds up to efficient forging. Be honest and ask yourself, (without watching the video) could I forge that blade that Nick forged? I'm sure some could but if you know you could not, please study the video again in view of the above points and see if you pick these things up.

While forging is only a step in our style of knife making, some only forge out of necessity, never really getting proficient at it. As you know, being good at something makes it more enjoyable even if its moving hot steel. I can tell from watching Nick that he really enjoys this part of knife making. In my opinion, all bladesmiths should do themselves a favor and take a basic blacksmith course.

Great job Nick!

Great video Nick! I really enjoyed watching it, especially since I just made a large hunter in a similar fashion. You used quite a few techniques here... alot of efficient metal movement. I'm inspired now to try a large chopper... Are we going to get to see the final results?

Brion & Lin, I agree. I wish there was a video like this when I started forging. Take a Blacksmithing course, learn hammer control, proper use of heat, and use of the anvil--- Great advice.

Thanks!

Ed C.

So that's how it's done!

Fantastic video Nick, worth watching that one a few times. I have to admit, my forging skills are nowhere near that good. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I don't move the anvil when I hit the metal.....nah that's not it.

For those viewers unfamiliar with the process, pay careful attention to what his left hand is doing especially during edge development.

Also, see if you can spot when he switches from the hammer face to the peen and back again. If you aren't watching closely you will miss it.

Thanks again for that video. I'm inspired again! (Seriously)

Something Lin said about wasting time and heat reminded me of a blacksmith's saying: "Think at the forge, work at the anvil."

Ed, I think the finished knife appears in the first 10 seconds of the video.

Thanks for the kind words guys. It means a lot to me coming from you all.

I do really enjoy hand forging. Like Lin, I fell in love with Blacksmithing and that made me take a hard look at my forging technique. I would reccommend not being afraid to try new things. If it doesn't work out, cut it off and do it again.

Incredible.

Fantastic video Mr. Rossi. Thank you for sharing. I will be watching that one many more more times. Just wish there was a slow motion button.

Thank you Nick! As a new member of ABS and a beginner at forging your video was a great inspiration.

I have watched it twice. A real informative video on forging. Thanks Nick!!