Ed Caffrey
Ed Caffrey
Master Bladesmith
Prominent Member
Joined: Feb 15, 2021
Last seen: Apr 4, 2025
Topics: 63 / Replies: 691
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RE: Journeyman Smith Presentation Knife Question

Just to piggyback on Kevin's input... ANYTHING that is on/included in any knife presented for judging.... whether at the JS or MS level means you are...

3 years ago
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RE: New member from Jacksonville, FL (actually Middleburg)

Welcome Aboard!! I'm a ways away..... in Montana, so can't help with any organizations in Florida.... but you have access to many of the top Blad...

3 years ago
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RE: Introduction and question.

I second Karl's advice! It only makes good sense to get your test knives to as many MS as possible for review BEFORE taking them for presentation t...

3 years ago
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RE: Identifying makers mark

I'm not an expert on the way other cultures/bladesmith mark their work, but on the surface that appears it might be an authentic Japanese character(s)...

3 years ago
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RE: damascus etchant

Do yourself a favor and get Ferric Chloride/PCB Archer Etchant from Radio Shack/online. Go MINIMUM of 3-1 dilution with DISTILLED water only. ...

3 years ago
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RE: Wood Stabilizing recipe

At the risk of sounding like a naysayer, and as someone who has had extensive experience in "home" stabilizing, let me give you a warning, and some ad...

3 years ago
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RE: Feather Pattern

You have part of the equation.... a sharper cutter, AND keep the layers straight instead of Ws. In a nutshell, that is what makes the difference betw...

3 years ago
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RE: Hidden Tang Guard Fit Up

I used the technique for both my JS and MS tests. The key is to DO IT WELL, meaning making the apex of that angles as even and equal side to side as ...

3 years ago
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RE: San Mai with wrought Iron and a 80crv2 core

IMO, you are creating problems for yourself by choosing to use wrought iron. The welding temps for wrought are MUCH higher versus 80CRV2, which means...

4 years ago
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RE: 1095 powder failure

Can you folks see the post now? I made an edit, and I think I forgot to hit the "approve" button.... so that MIGHT have been the reason it was there...

4 years ago
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RE: 1095 powder failure

I have extensive experience with powder of all different types. There are lot of "IFs" involved, but I can tell you that you are not allowing enoug...

4 years ago
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RE: Testing blades

Testing of blades can be a very subjective thing. What's good? What's not so good? It really boils down to each Bladesmith creating and using tests...

4 years ago
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RE: Hello everyone!

Welcome aboard Joe! I just spent a few days in Seattle, seeing Docs at U of W..... last time I was there was pre-pandemic, and from what I saw, I thi...

4 years ago
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RE: New member from SE Minnesota

Welcome aboard Robert! and got addicted to the forging process Ain't it the truth!! 🙂 It grabbed me 30+ years ago..... and still hasn't le...

4 years ago
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RE: Coffee Etching San Mai/Damascus Yellowing

I have tried baking the coffee finish on... it didn't make much difference for me. For a number of years now, I have been using clear Gun-Kote on b...

4 years ago
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