Thanks Steve and Lin, I personally think you are right on target. It has to be more than a skill set. Skill sets change as many on this topic or...

I like the Lockwood dyes and the Lockwood website has some nice "how to" webpages. These are either water or alcohol based dyes. I have used both in ...

Steve, So, if I understand your position, you are saying that as long as we forge the blade then we are a bladesmith? I am okay with that as a be...

I read all these posts and I have to share my reactions. First, I am impressed and heartened by the cogent and thoughtful posts on this topic. When I...

All, I do appreciate everyone's comments. I also like the idea, which I believe is accurate, in that bladsmiths have a "skill set" that other kn...

Lin, Thanks for sharing some really cogent and insightful ideas into the dialogue. For example when you say, "It's something I have imposed upon...

All, I certainly like the discussion and I think each person who responds is adding to the shared concept of who we are. I personally do not thi...

Ed/Josh, Nice and very thoughtful responses on this topic. Obviously, I have my own opinions on the issue which I would prefer not to express unt...

I like the idea of the guillitine. Good luck with that. BTW I do not think everyone should go out and buy a fly-press. They are nice but there are ...

All, I make my own sheaths and you can see an example on my knife that is up for the ABS Auction. Like others I never really like that part of t...

I have two electric salt tanks, one I built and one that was commercially built for me. Both will heat treat swords. My third tank has low temp salt...

I use similar hammer techniques on the anvil to the ones described. However, I acquired a large screw press a few years ago and one of my last forging...

There is a lot of good information in this forum and most of it is focused on decarb which is important. Some of it is asking you to train your eye t...