Happy new year to all ABS members and your families!

A few topics I would be interested to learn more about are below:

Integral forging and grinding

Tips to achieve a good antique fit on handles and spacers

Tips on fitting curved or pointed guards to square shoulder on the ricasso for hidden tang knives

key hole handle construction

Advanced mosaic Damascus pattern creation

Brion,

These days there are many beginning knife makers who are contemplating building or adding to their shop. A topic that I believe many would be interested in would be shop equipment & tools. What tools are absolutely necessary and what tools are nice to have but not critical in a forging shop.

Also, what brands of tools are the most dependable and the best investment. How much lighting and how many outlets do I need? Do I need 220v outlets? Single phase or three phase 220v?

Gary

Creo ser el miembro mas nuevo de este foro.

Por mi parte me gustaria saber de tiendas donde importar a mi pais o mas bien tiendas que hagan exportaciones a distintas partes del mundo, en este caso aceros como el 1095, D2, 15N20, maderas exoticas e insumos en general

Pero tambien sera una excelente idea tener una base de datos de uso general para todos los miembros del grupo.

Saludos y feliz año a todos.

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this fine group of folks again another year.

I wouldn't mind discussing...

- Etching Damascus, San Mai, wrought iron: procedure, time, cycles, polishing, favorite material combinations, etc.

- guard/spacer/pommel finishes, bluing, textures, etc.

- Heat or salt coloring of blades, guards, etc

OH and engraving or other ornate decorations.

There are some good ideas already mentioned above. I’d second the integral one, specifically forging techniques with AND without power hammer/press, keeping the blade centered during forging, grinding techniques, and tooling/techniques for mating up the face of the handle material with the tang side of the integral bolster. It seems different makers approach these kinds of knives from different perspectives and I’d love to see how everyone tackles them.

Jeremy

Happy new year everyone. No real suggestions from me I wouldhowever like to thank all of the masters and journeyman and everyone who has helped me out over the past 5 years or so. If it weren't for the ABS I'd still be trying to feel my way around a room with the lights off.

I spend a lot of time reading and re-reading the "Topic of the Month". It may be boring for the experienced crowd, but I'd love to revisit or even just put a slight spin on many of the topics that were started in 2011-12. When I see how many different 2x72 grinders are available today vs. 2 years ago I realize just how fast tools, techniques, and manufacturers seem to change.

For example....there is a great Topic of the Month back in 2012 in which trip hammers were discussed. I'd be curious to see what information would be shared if we discussed the options available/preferred for self contained pneumatic hammers, best bang for your buck when buying today, etc.

Thank you all for responding. Great suggestions and I am keeping a list.

Brion

Thank you all for responding. Great suggestions and I am keeping a list.

Brion

some subjects I would be interested in, Wrought iron, key hole handle construction, and Integral forging.

Steel smelting (both hearth and crucible).

Different cultural blade forms (Japanese/Chinese, India and subcontinent, Pre-Medieval European, etc.).

Axes and tomahawks.

Spears and other polearms.

Casting techniques for fittings.

Sword history, design and construction.

Knife history (from Stone Age Flint Knapping through WWII)

Is it possible to invite guest master or journeyman smiths who specialize in the monthly topic to get their input? We are very lucky to have input from all the knowledgeable mastersmiths, Journeymansmiths and admin who regularly contribute but it might be a good way to get more people involved in the forum?

I was just reading a very old post on Hamon where John White who was invited to the Forum by Brion to give his input!