An Alternative to grinding
I have spent many hours at the grinder, and I still feel inadequate at grinding. Between grinding and hand sharpening, I am able to get to a razor sharp edge, but my grind lines are not up to my expectations....and this has led me to this question.
I am certain that someone out there has attempted to "hollow forge" as opposed to "hollow grind" a blade. I've been toying with this idea for awhile now...and I am going to attempt doing it. The old "Nothing ventured-Nothing Gained" approach.
I know that there will be many opinions on doing this ...some in favor of, and some against ... and so I will conduct my own investigation rather than try and sort through all the varying opinions, but if someone has tried to "hollow forge" a blade, I would be interested in hearing from them.
It is my intent to try and forge in the "plunge cut" as well as the hollow forging of the length of the blade.
On the surface, I can forsee some problems in doing this, but I don't see anything insurmountable. In the end, it may prove to be more difficult than grinding...but I want to give it a go and see for myself if this is a viable alternative.
My idea is to try doing this using various "set" hammers and chisels since experience has taught me that my hammer control is not that precise. I may also resort to using the treadle hammer since what I am envisioning is not that far removed from repousee work.
Mark Aspery's nickname when he was an apprentice was "lightening" because he never struck in the same place twice.
I understand.
Last edited by Ed Tipton; 01-14-2014 at 01:58 AM.
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