Hello all. This months topic is two fold. The first is what reference materials do you use when researching knives, swords, building methods, etc? The second is topic of the month suggestions for the new year. We have covered a lot in this past year. Is there anything you would like to see, especially our new members.
As far as reference materials, I will get it started. I know there are a lot of things on you tube and on the internet. Some are very good such as Nick Rossi's videos on forging, Karl Andersens videos, and our own ABS videos. Some sourcess on the internet and you tube are not. Personally I read a lot of books. Some of my favorites being the Knives Annuals. I have the complete set from 81 onward. A great resource for design inspiration and ideas. Also A book "The Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armour" by George Stone. This is also known as Stones Glossary. It covers just about any type of bladed instrument you could want with a lot of focus on Japanese styles. Of course my Japanese sword books, got to have those. I also have books on bowie knives. Such as Flaydermans "The Bowie Knife" and "A Sure Defense" the bowie knife in America. Both are great resources for bowie knife patterns and history along with having really nice pictures of antique knives. I also feel that since we deal with forging primarily, no library should be without books on blacksmithing, such as Bealls "The Art of Blacksmithing" I could go on but you get the idea. What are our members go to resources for reference?
Also lets see those suggestions for 2019 topics.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
we have a pretty good sized library at the shop. I to tend to learn best from books so when I get to trying a new area of knife making I tend to buy books.so i have books on smithing ironwork , folders and all the classics knife books but The ones I reference the most, are a couple of heat treating guides (heat treater's guide and carpenters book) as well as the ASM app. For swords I reference "Sword forum and thought" and "records of the medieval sword".
I don't remember where I first read about them, but the books by Jim Hrisoulas were a great and informative resource when I started bladesmithing. His thoughts about "edge packing" not withstanding, "The Complete Bladesmith" laid out just what a novice like me needed to know to get started. His books on master bladesmithing and pattern welding are also good in-depth resources for more advanced ambitions. But when it comes to metallurgy information, I use the resources available at cashenblades.com. Every time I read his work on Eutectoid steel my head explodes a little bit...
Evan L. Cihak
Going back about 18-20 years when I was gaining speed on my knife making, I had about all the books and what VHS videos there were at the time. It just wasn't enough for me.
This was before the vast array of instructional opportunities we now enjoy all over the internet and such.
One of the main reasons I got into knife making was because of the people. I really wanted to meet new people.
So I made my Gold Wing motorcycle my access to "reference material". I vowed to go visit other more experienced makers every year and advance my skills while enjoying the road and making new friends.
For over 10 years I went from central Illinois to the Adirondacks, Texas, Wyoming, literally north and south coast-to-coast.
Not really "reference material" but I wanted my learning to include adventure and new friends. Still do!
Today my most important approach to learning things is my phone. I just call them.
Karl B. Andersen
Journeyman Smith
Other than stones glossary do you guys recommended any other reference material to research Quillion daggers?
Knives and Scabbards by Boydell Press is a great book. It has a lot about archaeological finds in the form of artifacts. The book gives information about where the objects were found and attempts to explain the circumstances behind it's being there as well as drawings and photos of the objects with view to materials. It's strong on information and weak on photography. But still a great book.
These books I found particularly good as a beginner (aka now)
The steel metallurgy for non metallurgists - Verhoeven is particularly good even later.
Handles and Guards by Keeslar
And of course Wayne Goddard’s $50 knife shop which was the first book I bought.
Quenching and martempering - American Society for Metals
Randy McDaniel - A Blacksmithing Primer
Also NESM video forging fundamentals by Dereck Glaser. https://youtu.be/RGxWZbY27mk
Nick Rossi forged blade duplicating challenge https://youtu.be/nOMrTSThoR0
Before you read this, I am very new to the world of making knives. All reference materials, any that I can get my hands and/or eyes on, are absolutely invaluable to me now and probably for the rest of my days. As said before, YouTube has always been one of the quickest ways for me to learn how other people do specific things like blade finishing, handle carving, "tuning" the plunge line so it looks neat and symmetrical, and so on. The most in depth videos on specific subjects that I have found is Nick Wheeler's videos. Especially on finishing. I'm sure pretty much everyone here has checked out his channel, but if you havent and you're wanting to get very detailed information, look him up on YouTube. Of course, for inspiration, I like to watch what Karl Andersen has to say about his newest creations on YouTube. Everytime I think of it and see whats going on with his channel, he has a new knife video up. His stuff also gives me the resource of getting motivayed to get back into the shop again after getting frustrated. It goes without saying that ABS forums are an indispensable resource for everyone that uses them. You know that though, since you're reading this. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Here's a list of resources I (being at the apprentice level) find useful that I havent already talked about:
"Blade's guide to Making knives," by Joe Kertzman -Plenty of pictures and great info
Knives Illustrated Magazine - It has great articles and many pictures. Testing, maker interviews, the works
"Knives of War" by Gordon Hughs - Great information on fighting knives in modern times. Lots of drawings and history
"The Complete Bladesmith," by Jim Hrisoulas - Is pretty in-depth and theres black and white photos that are good quality
