Well, I guess it happens to all of us...

[nifeman]

Hiya fellers, was working on a big Bowie for a customer today. Got the blade forged to shape last week (from a mystery steel ) and figured I'd forge out the guard from a piece of 1065. Finished the guard and slotted it and decided to grind the tang shoulders in, instead of filing them. Well 2[U]nd[U] pass on the tang and I heard something funny. Next thing I knew, I was picking up the tang off the floor .
6 hours worth of forging down the drain. It don't pay to use steel your not sure of. Apparently it was an air hardening steel of some sort. Just thought I'd cry on a coupla shoulders and get back to the DRAWING BOARD!!! Worst part now, I have to find something about 3/16 x 2 to start again. Oh well, Bud

[McAhron]

We all know the feeling

[Drunkenduck]

I think that I'll probably figure out that I'm starting to get the hang of of this when I end up with more knive than paper weights.

Doug Lester

[AcridSaint]

Hey Bud, I think I have some 3/16 x 2" 1084 at home, but it might be 1/4". I can check when I get home tonight. If you want a foot or so, I'll send it your way. If you were on my side of the state I'd drive it over to you.

**Edit* fixed 1084

[B.Finnigan]

Been there and done that. I have a suspicion that it does not matter how many years you have been making knives it does not get any easier to deal with these sort of things. Just writting off 6-8 hrs of work with nothing to show for it is a very bitter pill. You start questioning your sanity when you start over knowing it could happen again.

[Raymond Richard]

Bud, I don't even want to know how many hours have gone down the drain since I have started making knives. Sounds like you made a throwing knife.

[blacksmith101]

Something I have been doing is to save the pieces in a can. When I'm bored, break up the pieces, place in a can with powder. and forge weld a billet out. At least I'm recovering the material cost and just donating a little time. Education and experience cost money and time.

[nifeman]

Originally Posted by Raymond Richard

Bud, I don't even want to know how many hours have gone down the drain since I have started making knives. Sounds like you made a throwing knife.

Hey Ray, yeah and it didn't even stick . I've had a couple of blades crack dring the quench, but this one I was only trying to take about 1/32" off of a side. Musta been real brittle. But, better to happen here, than in the customers hand!!!
Hey Acrid, thanks for the offer. 1/4" is what I was using. The one I was making was the Musso Bowie with the brass overlay on the spine. I'll email ya later and thanks again...Bud

[EdgarFigaro]

Make a folder =P *laughs* They don't have tangs *winks*

That does suck, work on something only to have it crack, I've been kinda lucky so far. Nothing too bad. Ones I've cracked were recoverable with some grinding to a new shape.

[metalbender]

Doh!

[AcridSaint]

Hey Bud, it's 1 13/16 x 3/16, I guess it was supposed to be 1 3/4, but admiral was generous at the time Anyways, you're welcome to a chunk if you still want one, just shoot me a PM on here, I can't get into the email I listed here lately!