Allen, very cool video, thanks for sharing. I can't believe I haven't seen this video before considering I am always searching for videos and articles on knifemaking on the webs. I do not know anyone who forges folder blades but I am sure someone here does. It will be cool to see what they have to say about it. Thanks, Josh.

I usually forge all of my blades in one heat. I don't know what this guy is doing, wasting time on THREE. Lazy old chap.

<img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

I know a number of makers over on Don Fogg's forum forge folder blades. They are typically rustic style friction folders. As for modern style blades, I am not really aware of anyone forging blades for folders. The reason I would assume is one of practicality, it only takes a few minutes to grind one. I forged the blade on my first folder, but when you have to grind anyway, to clean it up, true the surfaces, etc. it doesn't make sense, unless like the "primitive" guys you are forging it just to say it is forged, or to get a forge finished look.

The major exception would be with damascus, (which is why you can submit a folder on your m.s. test but not your j.s.) but even then people are typically forging the damascus into bar stock and then grinding.

I haven't watched your video yet, due to the limitations of dial-up, but will when I return to work. I'm curious to see how fast he is, and how close to finished shape he is coming.

Actually come to think of it, JD Smith forges folder blades from time to time. I've seen a few.

That guy is good. Super quick forging.. Thanks for sharing

I forge my folder blades. The W2 and W1 and o1 are either sruare bar round bar and I have to reduce it anyway, so I just keep going.

That's the reason I forged the one I did, that and nobody told me people don't do that <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//laugh.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

Great video, I was suprised how close to final shape he could take it, and how quickly.

I own a knife shop and deal with all kinds of folders on a dialy basis. Older Smith & Wesson pocket knives are stamped "Hammer Forged". Some older knives out of Soligen Germany were forged as well. On forging very close to final shape, IMO that should be a goal of all smiths. Perfection of technique on the anvil. Not perfection of using a grinder.

I forged one last year- it was a smaller piece of side by side twist pattern left over from a dagger and I wanted the center line to follow the upsweep of the blade, so just forged the whole thing...not to the degree of precision that the Sheffield Smith did, though, forging a blade for a slipjoint is still on my "that would be fun to try" list!

This one was for a fairly large lockback, so there was still a lot of grinder and file work to do after forging.