tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post1056326178753653125..comments2024-01-11T04:16:02.555-08:00Comments on Helm Enterprises, Forging Division: Why I build what I build the way I build itHelm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-22344179138185489612015-08-18T23:43:32.466-07:002015-08-18T23:43:32.466-07:00I do most of my sharpening on a fine Arkansas ston...I do most of my sharpening on a fine Arkansas stone and a leather strop. Check out my process: http://helmforge.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-sharpen-knife-blade-to-shaving.html<br /><br />I haven't made significant changes from this process, though I now establish my edges with my belt grinder before moving to the whet stones. As long as you keep the edge from getting too far gone before touching it up, an Arkansas stone and a strop ought to keep it as sharp as I ship them out.Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-71259324118635845342015-08-17T11:30:13.172-07:002015-08-17T11:30:13.172-07:00Great article, I appreciate the detail you went in...Great article, I appreciate the detail you went into! What types of <a href="https://www.dmtsharp.com/" rel="nofollow">knife sharpeners</a> do you recommend to the people who purchase your wares? I am a beginner and I know there is a lot of variation, but for typical working knives what grit would you suggest? Thanks!<br /><br />-JamesAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01013321460318408995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-396284960061990512012-12-07T11:24:37.593-08:002012-12-07T11:24:37.593-08:00I have the knifemaking dvd by Tim Lively & it&...I have the knifemaking dvd by Tim Lively & it's the only dvd on forging a knife that I own. I find myself thinking about the lessons shown/taught by Tim Lively everytime I fire up my forge. Bill..........Bill Mixsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12513710515807984183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-4354675768649489032012-11-30T06:21:35.911-08:002012-11-30T06:21:35.911-08:00A good insight into how much you enjoy your work. ...A good insight into how much you enjoy your work. Bill, Columbia, S.C.Bill Mixsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12513710515807984183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-1464434079967871912012-10-16T21:42:47.224-07:002012-10-16T21:42:47.224-07:00Cleaning the blade after use and a light coating o...Cleaning the blade after use and a light coating of oil will work well. I use 3-in-1 oil. Touching the blade without wiping it off will cause it to rust. The beauty of a forge finish is that if it does rust or get gunk on it, you can go over it with 100 grit sandpaper and it looks like it was when new.Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-83442106562153015162012-10-15T12:37:16.404-07:002012-10-15T12:37:16.404-07:00What do you recommend for care and maintenance of ...What do you recommend for care and maintenance of your blades? I have used mineral oil on my katana, but I've also heard use of wax as a protectorant. rjwatfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06662919885446945722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-39795607552247472362012-09-17T22:04:38.967-07:002012-09-17T22:04:38.967-07:00Thanks!
1. I have a homemade single burner propa...Thanks!<br /><br />1. I have a homemade single burner propane forge that I built, using a burner kit from Larry Zoeller, to do most of my forging and the heat treatment of small blades (around 10 inches long or under). I have a longer two burner forge I built with Zoeller burners for heat treating longer blades up to 24".<br /><br />2. The long blades don't get differentially hardened but I've found that they come out very tough regardless. With the differential hardening on the smaller blades, I'm mostly trying to make sure the tips are tough enough. <br /><br />3. I either just hold them in tongs, or I set them in a groove cut into a soft firebrick. It doesn't take that long to let them cool down enough to normalize. After the final normalizing cycle, I set them on the firebrick to cool the rest of the way down.Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-4612341689171766742012-09-17T09:43:14.916-07:002012-09-17T09:43:14.916-07:00I love your site and your blade styles. I did hav...I love your site and your blade styles. I did have some questions, though. <br />1) What type of forge/burner setup do you use?<br />2) "I often differentially harden by quenching the blade deep, then bringing the spine out of the oil while leaving the edge submerged." How do you do this with your large blades? In the pictures it looks like your quench bath is a verticle tube.<br />3) How do you let the blades rest for normalizing and tempering? As in, do you hang them up, lay them on a rack or workbench, etc.rjwatfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06662919885446945722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-56217532751220677052012-05-02T21:13:40.300-07:002012-05-02T21:13:40.300-07:00Great article, and it really showcases why you are...Great article, and it really showcases why you are an artist. your customer service is outstanding and you have a vast amount of knowladge that helps the buyer get a blade that is "built" for their needs. the Bowie you made me was exactly what I had in mind and when I first got it "I thought, is it to light"? well the first use made me realize exactly what you touched on in the article, its light fast and stout. I really think I would put it up to any task. I'm sold on your knives and I thank you for making my purchases an enjoyable process! plus its nice seeing pics of my bowie in your article! <br />badasp118<br />Ssg Stahlbadasp118https://www.blogger.com/profile/16059796188290789750noreply@blogger.com