[Bob Warner]

OK, here you go.

First of all the 1084 I get from Admiral is not annealed unless you ask for it and pay extra. You may get a surprise when it arrives. But we have a solution for that.

If you know anyone that has a BBQ for cooking food outside that will let you use it, your in business. Go to the store and buy a pipe that is about 2' long ans 1/2" or 3/4" in diameter. Buy a bushing reducer that goes from your pipe up to about 1-1/2" and screw them together. You now have a forge. All you need now it find a hair drier.


Get you a good charcoal fire going and let it go until it burns down into a good red coal fire without a bunch of flames. Take your 1/2" pipe and push it into the bottom and center of the fire. Pile the rest of the coals around it. Then turn on the hair drier (do this first) then put it up to the reducing bushing and blow air in. The air will come out the other end, blowing hot pieces of coal dust and stuff out. You will see that it will get hotter. Put a couple cut pieces of steal (if not annealed from Admiral) into the fire and cover with coals. Get it up to a good cherry color by pulling one piece out and checking it with a magnet. When non-magnetic, put back into the fire, cover well and pull your tube out. Put the lid on the BBQ and let it set until the fire is out and the ashes are cold. Now you can file your blade shape.

After you are done making the knife, repeat the process but when you get to non-magnetic, quench in oil. Temper in a friends oven (you can bring a turkey and ask your friends wife to cook it for you and just slip the blades in with it).

You can also make a forge out of a pipe and a pipe cap. Use it just like a regular forge with your propane torch entering from the side. It will not be insulated but it will hold the heat enough to heat treat a knife blade. Without insulation it will not be fuel efficient but it will work.