Two questions

Hey everybody,
My first question is about doing a hammer finish. Do you do anything to it after forging? Clean the scale off with vinegar or something? I like the way this looks on traditional knives.
Second question: what are some good references for traditional blades? I'm a history buff and I like making authentic blades. I know places like Track of the Wolf and Dixie Gunworks have books with photographs of period blades, but boy they're expensive . . . any other sources y'all use? Thanks!

Josh Blount

recently...i came across a reference
to a book called
knives of the american frontier..
it was in a catalog ive gotten...
if your interested..i can post the
info for you.... also...
time lifes book on weapons of the civil war is fantastic
one of the best free resources are the worlds museums...
most are online..and you can view their items!!
good luck..lott

Lott,
Thanks for the info. I'd be interested in the book you mentioned; sound like just what I'm looking for. I'd never thought about looking at musuems online . . . have to give that a shot. Thanks!

Josh Blount

Hammer finished knives come in a variety of styles and actually finishes as well. Some do soak their knives in white (sometimes boiled) vinegar to remove the scale. Some leave the scale on, and others leave some scale and remove some. It's a matter of taste and desired appearance. Some hammer finished knives appear very crude with a lot of hammer dings and dents and scale pitting, others have been carefully smoothed out with a hammer and wire brushed during forgind to cut down on the pitting. Some people scrape or abrade their hammer finished knives with stones, or metal scrapers similar to a draw knife. Again, it is a matter of what look one is trying to achieve.

A good book for you would be "Knives in Homespun America," by Madison Grant. It's excellent--loaded with pictures.

Hey Dana,
Thanks for your response. I would like to do a bowie soon with a hammer finish and antler handle . . . I'll have to experiment and see what I like best. That sounds like a good book, too. Thanks!

Josh