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)...

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. ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Karl is certainly more of an expert on SS San/HC San Mai than me, but I have done a good bit of it. Personally, I'm not a fan of the coffee etch, for...

I can remember catching flak from then "old timers" who rode me hard for owning/using Little Giants power hammers, and forging presses. Telling me......

Glad things are working for you! Something I mention to all my students..... these days "Temp Guns" are so darn cheap, you really can't afford not t...