tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37862748528108442832024-03-13T03:03:31.867-07:00Helm Enterprises, Forging DivisionHelm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-2188873042221426292020-08-18T20:41:00.000-07:002020-08-18T20:41:29.983-07:00Giant carcass splitters of DOOM!!!<p> Howdy, folks. Been a busy, productive year, and not as much time has
been spent on forums as I used to. But I have had a couple of
interesting projects I wanted to share. They are the two largest carcass
splitters I've made so far, one completed in February and one in
August.<br />
<br />
The first was a commission from a chef who owns multiple restaurants who
wanted as large a carcass splitter as I could make as a gift for a
friend of his. The second was a commission from a fellow who butchers a
lot of hogs. Both started out as bars of 5/16" x 4" 80CrV2 steel, and
both ended up with hemp cord over neoprene handle wraps and Boltaron
sheaths. And both were hair-shaving sharp when shipped.<br />
<br />
The first one was forged as close to shape as possible with my power
hammer, with only minimal cleanup grinding along the edge profile before
grinding and filing the bevel to final dimensions. It ended up with a
blade just under 20" long, 5 3/4" wide at the widest, 41 1/4" overall
length, and a weight of 8.22 pounds, a good 3 pounds more than my
previous largest carcass splitter. <br />
</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0aVkbju3rmwrJ3SWmrgWgjuwZtYcog1fxQ7RJSa4736j5S5UvDW06CmsjOxOaT86FSyUbFs8jDbQwk3s_TH45poLneqon4HdEQFFCQmk02f0BYUbSardb-QPbl22RGY6rdl0yH6B1c8/s960/csp03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0aVkbju3rmwrJ3SWmrgWgjuwZtYcog1fxQ7RJSa4736j5S5UvDW06CmsjOxOaT86FSyUbFs8jDbQwk3s_TH45poLneqon4HdEQFFCQmk02f0BYUbSardb-QPbl22RGY6rdl0yH6B1c8/s640/csp03.jpg" /></a><br />
</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhtbYU5BVtiqijXAzsYNDSNSojZWkmW-C6BEWQgNVzsWyHaeTUamCU-khOImpDgqoTPSpNSebxWxaCAhPoKaP4auYJVqQ-Zp_HZf2iFhm6Fv-mmDwgDLaYwNQPequfSSxH3GPzp5rKzo/s960/csp04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhtbYU5BVtiqijXAzsYNDSNSojZWkmW-C6BEWQgNVzsWyHaeTUamCU-khOImpDgqoTPSpNSebxWxaCAhPoKaP4auYJVqQ-Zp_HZf2iFhm6Fv-mmDwgDLaYwNQPequfSSxH3GPzp5rKzo/s640/csp04.jpg" /></a></p><p><br />
In comparison with a "small" carcass splitter that is more like a 15"
blade, 15" tang, and around 4 lb weight, and with a 6' 2" Sasquatch for
scale.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21Iots84mmy335CQ5recDKga6fApbbJYcHqbkBJTTQFx9Fa0a3DmY20DTOMN2YP0oT93btMB-qinIc4q8Klk_KClhndNGjVVJLcQJZ6gfELsqiRZRdyrrVn6AqpTPtMzFq475i3vJe9M/s960/csp01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21Iots84mmy335CQ5recDKga6fApbbJYcHqbkBJTTQFx9Fa0a3DmY20DTOMN2YP0oT93btMB-qinIc4q8Klk_KClhndNGjVVJLcQJZ6gfELsqiRZRdyrrVn6AqpTPtMzFq475i3vJe9M/s640/csp01.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-tbxgcSRVi14PI9s6sPf6aUDM79n3gfPw9BVQjPNFLkjVPBTXYZv9R-UPHRLwOe1OWYw5v0rijw6kfBxKjtyf6odsqwryQVRkMWv7acR_2Ls4IRHzz1yGGWTGelzDBDqVTorOXGeq38/s960/csp02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-tbxgcSRVi14PI9s6sPf6aUDM79n3gfPw9BVQjPNFLkjVPBTXYZv9R-UPHRLwOe1OWYw5v0rijw6kfBxKjtyf6odsqwryQVRkMWv7acR_2Ls4IRHzz1yGGWTGelzDBDqVTorOXGeq38/s640/csp02.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The second one was forged as close to final dimensions as I could on my
power hammer, but the end was trimmed and the spine had minimal cleanup
grinding. It isn't quite as wide, but is larger in all other ways at
just over 20" blade length, 5 1/2" wide, and 44" overall lenth, with a
weight just over 9 pounds.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkRYS9CG_xQA1YFOwaTU8jShbi7WiY3lExwwSsXSyUsbOVUsvGgdyB6M4Mbc2ye8H_httdRVOuttV9nUHlMRm4WGzNppotLpuLuRAn7OlfWxCx7opv3XwZtPfQPC7QMqS-tf-c7lZFHQ/s960/cs01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkRYS9CG_xQA1YFOwaTU8jShbi7WiY3lExwwSsXSyUsbOVUsvGgdyB6M4Mbc2ye8H_httdRVOuttV9nUHlMRm4WGzNppotLpuLuRAn7OlfWxCx7opv3XwZtPfQPC7QMqS-tf-c7lZFHQ/s640/cs01.jpg" /></a><br />
</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxERwRlSLs1GZgfdJ0uzXsp6sNj4kV23kohCAn-9EDyJarow7ddJWPAKqqX3LGE9E3wjWMPVF-C8GJfwlSOeGjLlplFzrZS3QRkBuJkMdzjfVe5zrv8GicYed3IBsmpT69kOZVx6Kmqc/s960/cs02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxERwRlSLs1GZgfdJ0uzXsp6sNj4kV23kohCAn-9EDyJarow7ddJWPAKqqX3LGE9E3wjWMPVF-C8GJfwlSOeGjLlplFzrZS3QRkBuJkMdzjfVe5zrv8GicYed3IBsmpT69kOZVx6Kmqc/s640/cs02.jpg" /></a>
</p><p>
It picked up some extra texture from sitting a few days in a mixture of
vinegar that had more 30% acidity in it than I realized (most of the
mixture was 9% or 5%). Usually the vinegar eats the scale off without
affecting the steel; this time it definitely added texture.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0KymMhsw-IpUdLvPbiFpFBRqMrBQoXcl7pNOluxkyKfpS2ZQwqnAyCGFmJTTvRKtwRqHzkPhxLhBz4gEBA_brVvmRvFjPKm69PoOtSxU1DTmCi-YG3D_Vcy6if3B99WHpU50GXYip8c/s960/cs03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0KymMhsw-IpUdLvPbiFpFBRqMrBQoXcl7pNOluxkyKfpS2ZQwqnAyCGFmJTTvRKtwRqHzkPhxLhBz4gEBA_brVvmRvFjPKm69PoOtSxU1DTmCi-YG3D_Vcy6if3B99WHpU50GXYip8c/s640/cs03.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
In comparison with a 15" bladed bush sword that weighed just under 1.33 lbs prior to stock removal:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hQgw5DzrZXWEp59HEcm-zdrjFWCuO38I0yH9_fgrEuCpLpE-B5xklPpC5DKca4YEoCoSjhEqhjkFMpdWwYAN0QcsgCb_33JuDnpCMO7xUtWX_JdApr5MzugaE6Nw6d0ERjEC0l2FE68/s960/cs11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hQgw5DzrZXWEp59HEcm-zdrjFWCuO38I0yH9_fgrEuCpLpE-B5xklPpC5DKca4YEoCoSjhEqhjkFMpdWwYAN0QcsgCb_33JuDnpCMO7xUtWX_JdApr5MzugaE6Nw6d0ERjEC0l2FE68/s640/cs11.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Sasquatch for scale.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9CJwKM-MdaMUnGMhn3qm61TpDyOkcAZtBqX2jppu-vWRcqxxlYutsNkTUIDFRJWQfmjYPw-m27Ho96zfO6BO0eXOxdNXg8jdKOqLp5rLGFR3rZVQuIfPrOsh7zeEWpTBBfAZIpY2Oq0/s960/cs06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9CJwKM-MdaMUnGMhn3qm61TpDyOkcAZtBqX2jppu-vWRcqxxlYutsNkTUIDFRJWQfmjYPw-m27Ho96zfO6BO0eXOxdNXg8jdKOqLp5rLGFR3rZVQuIfPrOsh7zeEWpTBBfAZIpY2Oq0/s640/cs06.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Gotta say, it does nothing to help you hitch hike, even if you show a
little leg! I had just finished demonstrating how it could shave hair,
too!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR-GaCX7icPDkOZ5XBVOJG4k1clAGac8ttzsCjPreztAwbm-gF2ezFhZbfliygWvoDRIeFlxqnK7gWFnoKQ9ImaByn7kKdmMEtDdR4H7G9l9VA2Bja9Bcn34fHoBUxwFKga3KFiqoWTk/s960/cs04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR-GaCX7icPDkOZ5XBVOJG4k1clAGac8ttzsCjPreztAwbm-gF2ezFhZbfliygWvoDRIeFlxqnK7gWFnoKQ9ImaByn7kKdmMEtDdR4H7G9l9VA2Bja9Bcn34fHoBUxwFKga3KFiqoWTk/s640/cs04.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
More details, process video and pics, and general silliness in this video:</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SrEF1P5Qdh8" width="320" youtube-src-id="SrEF1P5Qdh8"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><div data-redactor-wrapper="1" style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;"><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first was a commission from a chef who owns multiple restaurants who
wanted as large a carcass splitter as I could make as a gift for a
friend of his. The second was a commission from a fellow who butchers a
lot of hogs. Both started out as bars of 5/16" x 4" 80CrV2 steel, and
both ended up with hemp cord over neoprene handle wraps and Boltaron
sheaths. And both were hair-shaving sharp when shipped.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first one was forged as close to shape as possible with my power
hammer, with only minimal cleanup grinding along the edge profile before
grinding and filing the bevel to final dimensions. It ended up with a
blade just under 20" long, 5 3/4" wide at the widest, 41 1/4" overall
length, and a weight of 8.22 pounds, a good 3 pounds more than my
previous largest carcass splitter. </div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219259313_3b21f442c4_c.jpg" />csp03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910021_e6194a889c_c.jpg" />csp04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In
comparison with a "small" carcass splitter that is more like a 15"
blade, 15" tang, and around 4 lb weight, and with a 6' 2" Sasquatch for
scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910176_e49c777a71_c.jpg" />csp01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
second one was forged as close to final dimensions as I could on my
power hammer, but the end was trimmed and the spine had minimal cleanup
grinding. It isn't quite as wide, but is larger in all other ways at
just over 20" blade length, 5 1/2" wide, and 44" overall lenth, with a
weight just over 9 pounds.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086872_40260a5d24_c.jpg" />cs01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213933_12ca6f09d0_c.jpg" />cs02</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">It
picked up some extra texture from sitting a few days in a mixture of
vinegar that had more 30% acidity in it than I realized (most of the
mixture was 9% or 5%). Usually the vinegar eats the scale off without
affecting the steel; this time it definitely added texture.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086382_d02d747d8d_c.jpg" />cs03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In comparison with a 15" bladed bush sword that weighed just under 1.33 lbs prior to stock removal:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219863231_f3039654ca_c.jpg" />cs11</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Sasquatch for scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213353_3054a24745_c.jpg" />cs06</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Gotta
say, it does nothing to help you hitch hike, even if you show a little
leg! I had just finished demonstrating how it could shave hair, too!</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086242_741d72cd7b_c.jpg" />cs04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">More details, process video and pics, and general silliness in this video:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">[MEDIA=youtube]SrEF1P5Qdh8[/MEDIA]</div></div><div data-redactor-wrapper="1" style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;"><div data-redactor="1">Howdy,
folks. Been a busy, productive year, and not as much time has been
spent on forums as I used to. But I have had a couple of interesting
projects I wanted to share. They are the two largest carcass splitters
I've made so far, one completed in February and one in August.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first was a commission from a chef who owns multiple restaurants who
wanted as large a carcass splitter as I could make as a gift for a
friend of his. The second was a commission from a fellow who butchers a
lot of hogs. Both started out as bars of 5/16" x 4" 80CrV2 steel, and
both ended up with hemp cord over neoprene handle wraps and Boltaron
sheaths. And both were hair-shaving sharp when shipped.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first one was forged as close to shape as possible with my power
hammer, with only minimal cleanup grinding along the edge profile before
grinding and filing the bevel to final dimensions. It ended up with a
blade just under 20" long, 5 3/4" wide at the widest, 41 1/4" overall
length, and a weight of 8.22 pounds, a good 3 pounds more than my
previous largest carcass splitter. </div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219259313_3b21f442c4_c.jpg" />csp03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910021_e6194a889c_c.jpg" />csp04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In
comparison with a "small" carcass splitter that is more like a 15"
blade, 15" tang, and around 4 lb weight, and with a 6' 2" Sasquatch for
scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910176_e49c777a71_c.jpg" />csp01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
second one was forged as close to final dimensions as I could on my
power hammer, but the end was trimmed and the spine had minimal cleanup
grinding. It isn't quite as wide, but is larger in all other ways at
just over 20" blade length, 5 1/2" wide, and 44" overall lenth, with a
weight just over 9 pounds.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086872_40260a5d24_c.jpg" />cs01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213933_12ca6f09d0_c.jpg" />cs02</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">It
picked up some extra texture from sitting a few days in a mixture of
vinegar that had more 30% acidity in it than I realized (most of the
mixture was 9% or 5%). Usually the vinegar eats the scale off without
affecting the steel; this time it definitely added texture.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086382_d02d747d8d_c.jpg" />cs03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In comparison with a 15" bladed bush sword that weighed just under 1.33 lbs prior to stock removal:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219863231_f3039654ca_c.jpg" />cs11</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Sasquatch for scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213353_3054a24745_c.jpg" />cs06</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Gotta
say, it does nothing to help you hitch hike, even if you show a little
leg! I had just finished demonstrating how it could shave hair, too!</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086242_741d72cd7b_c.jpg" />cs04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">More details, process video and pics, and general silliness in this video:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">[MEDIA=youtube]SrEF1P5Qdh8[/MEDIA]</div></div><div data-redactor-wrapper="1" style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;"><div data-redactor="1">Howdy,
folks. Been a busy, productive year, and not as much time has been
spent on forums as I used to. But I have had a couple of interesting
projects I wanted to share. They are the two largest carcass splitters
I've made so far, one completed in February and one in August.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first was a commission from a chef who owns multiple restaurants who
wanted as large a carcass splitter as I could make as a gift for a
friend of his. The second was a commission from a fellow who butchers a
lot of hogs. Both started out as bars of 5/16" x 4" 80CrV2 steel, and
both ended up with hemp cord over neoprene handle wraps and Boltaron
sheaths. And both were hair-shaving sharp when shipped.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first one was forged as close to shape as possible with my power
hammer, with only minimal cleanup grinding along the edge profile before
grinding and filing the bevel to final dimensions. It ended up with a
blade just under 20" long, 5 3/4" wide at the widest, 41 1/4" overall
length, and a weight of 8.22 pounds, a good 3 pounds more than my
previous largest carcass splitter. </div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219259313_3b21f442c4_c.jpg" />csp03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910021_e6194a889c_c.jpg" />csp04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In
comparison with a "small" carcass splitter that is more like a 15"
blade, 15" tang, and around 4 lb weight, and with a 6' 2" Sasquatch for
scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910176_e49c777a71_c.jpg" />csp01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
second one was forged as close to final dimensions as I could on my
power hammer, but the end was trimmed and the spine had minimal cleanup
grinding. It isn't quite as wide, but is larger in all other ways at
just over 20" blade length, 5 1/2" wide, and 44" overall lenth, with a
weight just over 9 pounds.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086872_40260a5d24_c.jpg" />cs01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213933_12ca6f09d0_c.jpg" />cs02</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">It
picked up some extra texture from sitting a few days in a mixture of
vinegar that had more 30% acidity in it than I realized (most of the
mixture was 9% or 5%). Usually the vinegar eats the scale off without
affecting the steel; this time it definitely added texture.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086382_d02d747d8d_c.jpg" />cs03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In comparison with a 15" bladed bush sword that weighed just under 1.33 lbs prior to stock removal:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219863231_f3039654ca_c.jpg" />cs11</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Sasquatch for scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213353_3054a24745_c.jpg" />cs06</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Gotta
say, it does nothing to help you hitch hike, even if you show a little
leg! I had just finished demonstrating how it could shave hair, too!</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086242_741d72cd7b_c.jpg" />cs04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">More details, process video and pics, and general silliness in this video:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">[MEDIA=youtube]SrEF1P5Qdh8[/MEDIA]</div></div><div data-redactor-wrapper="1" style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;"><div data-redactor="1">Howdy,
folks. Been a busy, productive year, and not as much time has been
spent on forums as I used to. But I have had a couple of interesting
projects I wanted to share. They are the two largest carcass splitters
I've made so far, one completed in February and one in August.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first was a commission from a chef who owns multiple restaurants who
wanted as large a carcass splitter as I could make as a gift for a
friend of his. The second was a commission from a fellow who butchers a
lot of hogs. Both started out as bars of 5/16" x 4" 80CrV2 steel, and
both ended up with hemp cord over neoprene handle wraps and Boltaron
sheaths. And both were hair-shaving sharp when shipped.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
first one was forged as close to shape as possible with my power
hammer, with only minimal cleanup grinding along the edge profile before
grinding and filing the bevel to final dimensions. It ended up with a
blade just under 20" long, 5 3/4" wide at the widest, 41 1/4" overall
length, and a weight of 8.22 pounds, a good 3 pounds more than my
previous largest carcass splitter. </div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGQbv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219259313_3b21f442c4_c.jpg" />csp03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaBB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910021_e6194a889c_c.jpg" />csp04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In
comparison with a "small" carcass splitter that is more like a 15"
blade, 15" tang, and around 4 lb weight, and with a 6' 2" Sasquatch for
scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvLaEh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219910176_e49c777a71_c.jpg" />csp01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">The
second one was forged as close to final dimensions as I could on my
power hammer, but the end was trimmed and the spine had minimal cleanup
grinding. It isn't quite as wide, but is larger in all other ways at
just over 20" blade length, 5 1/2" wide, and 44" overall lenth, with a
weight just over 9 pounds.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM5bL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086872_40260a5d24_c.jpg" />cs01</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAG6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213933_12ca6f09d0_c.jpg" />cs02</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">It
picked up some extra texture from sitting a few days in a mixture of
vinegar that had more 30% acidity in it than I realized (most of the
mixture was 9% or 5%). Usually the vinegar eats the scale off without
affecting the steel; this time it definitely added texture.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM53j" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086382_d02d747d8d_c.jpg" />cs03</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">In comparison with a 15" bladed bush sword that weighed just under 1.33 lbs prior to stock removal:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvKVGT" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219863231_f3039654ca_c.jpg" />cs11</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Sasquatch for scale.</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvGAw6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50219213353_3054a24745_c.jpg" />cs06</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">Gotta
say, it does nothing to help you hitch hike, even if you show a little
leg! I had just finished demonstrating how it could shave hair, too!</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1"><a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" href="https://flic.kr/p/2jvM4ZU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50220086242_741d72cd7b_c.jpg" />cs04</a> by <a class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148294846@N06/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Helm</a>, on Flickr</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">More details, process video and pics, and general silliness in this video:</div><div data-redactor="1"><br /></div><div data-redactor="1">[MEDIA=youtube]SrEF1P5Qdh8[/MEDIA]</div></div>Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-55262302824778440082019-09-17T12:58:00.003-07:002019-09-17T12:58:39.059-07:00Throwing more "tech" at the mid-tech tomahawksI've been making full-tang tactical tomahawks since 2013, with the prototype process beginning with nylon-handled punched-eye 'hawks extending several years before that. The 'hawks were my first foray into making mid-techs, which I define as using modern manufacturing processes to build small batches of blades. Within my usage of the term, this can range everywhere from full-on CNC machined everything to hand-ground blades that start as waterjet-cut blanks. The goal is greater levels of production than hand-making every aspect of a knife, allowing higher quality than an average factory-made knife but a lower price than a full-on custom.<br />
<br />
For the last little bit I've been pooling resources with JB Knife and Tool to help both companies move toward getting more work out into the hands of customers. Brian and John of JB Knife and Tool are good guys with a great deal of practical experience on the knife making and using sides of things. <br />
<br />
For Blade Show this year, we threw some tech at the tomahawks and the result was me building the largest batch of tomahawks I've done so far. The blanks are waterjet cut and hand ground with an angled workrest, as it has been since I started. The grinder has been upgraded to an AmeriBrade and the work rest is the far more adjustable D-D Work Rest, but the basic process is the same.<br />
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When it came time to make handles and sheaths, we made use of a tabletop CNC router. The handle slabs were shaped in three stages, with three different tool changes. This meant someone tending the machine and manually changing out the bit and collet, then re-zeroing the router before starting the next stage. It was still quicker and more consistent than the old way, using jigs with table routers. We're looking at a larger CNC router with an automatic tool changer for a future upgrade.<br />
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You can see some of the stainless steel tube rivets cut out in the little container at the top of this picture.<br />
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Sheaths were molded on forming molds I made a while back using steel layers waterjet cut and assembled to create a three dimensional form, pressed with my big hydraulic forging press. We are working on a design to be machined from one chunk of polymer to be used for vacuum forming the sheath halves. We rigged a temporary fixture for drilling holes and trimming the outside of the sheath halves using the tabletop CNC router. A more permanent holding fixture for trimming the molded sheaths is next up after the vacuum mold.<br />
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Even with the older molds and temporary fixture, the results on trimming sheaths was quicker and more consistent than the old method. <br />
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In addition to inventory for my own tables at the Blade Show, I made deliveries to a couple of dealers at the show. Here I am loaded down with two different deliveries.<br />
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A video showing some of the process of laser engraving the touchmark, shaping handle slabs, and trimming sheaths.<br />
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The 'hawks are made from 1/4" 80CrV2 steel, coated with Cerakote, handles are TeroTuf, sheaths are Boltaron.<br />
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The techniques used on the tomahawks are in the process of being implemented on my line of mid-tech knives as well. The first batch of knives that will be getting CNC routed handles is being Cerakoted at the moment.Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-64514187378684429592019-04-18T17:12:00.004-07:002019-04-18T17:12:47.286-07:00Forge-finished finery, bush swords, etc.Been busy banging out bodadacious blades. Here are some recents. 80CrV2 steel, cord wraps, and Boltaron sheaths all around.<br />
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A biohazard outbreak reaction bush sword and smaller utility knife that went to a repeat customer in Canada. The bush sword has scorched hemp for the main wrap and black paracord Turk's head knots. The smaller knife has tan paracord over hemp, with a black paracord Turk's head.<br />
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A similarly-sized (6"~ blade) knife as the above utility, with hemp.<br />
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Variations on Benghazi Warfighters, two with sharpened upper edges.<br />
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A Benghazi Warfighter with black oxide finish, headed to an Army Ranger. He had commissioned a bigger chopper/fighter from me a few years ago, a variation of my Aggression design (I need to make some more of those). We decided this was a "micro-Aggression" and the sheath is a "safe space" from it. :D He can't tell me yet where he's deploying, but this is going with him. <br />
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A couple of donation blades, the first for Knife Rights in their continued fight to remove restrictions on the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry arms in the United States. This year, a falcata-ish bush sword with retina-searing neon orange underlay.<br />
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I don't realize how big my hands look until I take a picture of me holding a blade.<br />
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And a much smaller donation knife for my old high school, raising funds for teacher projects that run outside the school budget.<br />
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One of the most useful comments I've had on my work came years ago when a knife dealer told me my blades were good but my sheaths sucked. I have worked to make that better, and think I have achieved a decent level of workmanlike sheaths.<br />
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And finally, the first oxtail dao I've done in a long time. The customer had as reference a picture of one I built many years ago.<br />
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Here's what I came up with for him. He was quite taken with the results.<br />
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The top edge is fully sharpened. The design called for an open-backed sheath.</div>
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Ok, headed to the shop to work on some carcass splitters. :)Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-33264529167017104512019-03-09T16:17:00.000-08:002019-03-09T16:17:52.180-08:00Massive picture post: whole lotta forged bladesIt's been a very busy last several months, and while I have produced a good number of blades, I haven't been as active online to post them. So here's most of them from recent months. :D<br />
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Everything is 80CrV2 steel, with various combinations of paracord and hemp wrapped handles, and Boltaron sheaths except for the two retina-searing colors, which are Kydex.<br />
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In vague order from November to February:<br />
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This chopper was forged very close to the final shape. Minimal stock removal on the bevels.<br />
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A rare foldover sheath:<br />
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My eyes!<br />
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Not the same tan tanto as above.<br />
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A very rare kiridashi.<br />
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O tanto with a 13 1/2" blade and wakizashi with a 15 3/4" blade. The waki was a commission from a Green Beret.<br />
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This 9" recurve was finished just in time to be a Christmas gift.<br />
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Did a number of ginuntings, have more in the future.<br />
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My eyes!<br />
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Hey, look, a midtech Little Rok with CNC machined bevels! Slowly making progress. :D</div>
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-43828324250989060482019-01-30T21:47:00.004-08:002019-01-30T21:47:58.028-08:00Lamb splitter and carcass splitterA couple of new big blades that got shipped out earlier this month. Two firsts on these: the cord-wrapped one is the heaviest I've made, and the slab handle on the lamb splitter is the longest slab I've ever made.<br />
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Both of them are forged from 80CrV2 steel with Boltaron sheaths.<br />
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The wrapped one has an 18" blade and weighs 5.14 pounds, the first of mine to weigh more than 5 pounds. The handle is 22" long, scorched hemp on top of a neoprene foundation, with West System marine epoxy. <br />
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It was a Christmas gift from a wife to her husband, and she had me laser engrave this on the blade.<br />
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The lamb splitter is an over-sized version of what is usually a large one-handed butcher knife-looking blade. The blade is 17 1/4", the handle is 17", and the weight is 4.125 pounds. It has the longest slab handle I've ever made, from tan TeroTuf with flared stainless steel tube rivets.<br />
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The customer has assured me that the lamb splitter will be used for butchering.<br />
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More details in the video:<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gho0LtKQPzg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gho0LtKQPzg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-6650110498689062872019-01-23T21:25:00.003-08:002019-01-23T21:25:25.681-08:00ST-1 self-defense toolsOn the mid-tech side of things, I came up with a self-defense tool that debuted at Blade Show this summer: the ST-1. They're waterjet cut from 1/4" 4140, ground and heat treated, with a Cerakote ceramic gun coating, with Boltaron sheaths.<br />
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There's no blade, but the tip is quite pointy and beveled.<br />
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A closer look at the tip prior to heat treatment and Cerakote.<br />
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More details in this video:<br />
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As Tobin demonstrates, they can even be quad-wielded. :D<br />
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These are available at <a href="http://www.bluelinegear.com/shop-brands/Helm-Forged" target="_blank">Blue Line Gear</a> .<br />
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-58970855929585776742018-12-12T13:03:00.002-08:002018-12-12T13:03:51.599-08:00Blacksmithing/Bladesmithing ClassesA number of people have e-mailed me lately asking about classes. It has been several years since I have taught classes, but there are two fellow "Forged in Fire" champions in the San Antonio area who are teaching classes in conjunction with the Southwest School of Art and independently. They are Tobin Nieto of Stonehaven Knifeworks and Alex Ruiz of Volundr Forge.<br />
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Sign up for classes via the Southwest School of Art website: <a href="https://www.swschool.org/" target="_blank">https://www.swschool.org/</a><br />
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Or make inquiries at the STAB HQ website: <a href="http://www.stabhq.com/" target="_blank">http://www.stabhq.com/</a><br />
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Speaking of which, STAB HQ is the South Texas Association of Bladesmiths Headquarters, a pooling of resources among several San Antonio area knifemakers. More about that later.Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-51023515861691631722018-11-26T14:43:00.000-08:002018-11-26T14:47:15.176-08:00"Knife or Death" Ronin War SwordI'm sure some of y'all have seen the new open cutting competition show on the History Channel, "Knife or Death". While I haven't gotten to compete on it (Several "Forged in Fire" competitors, including Rashelle Hams from my episode, have been on. She did quite well.), I did get to be involved in an interesting way.<br />
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I was contacted by Tu Lam, retired Green Beret and one of the three hosts of the show, when he saw some of my carcass splitters on Instagram. He asked to meet me at Blade Show to discuss a project.<br />
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All three hosts of the show were getting blades for themselves to do some cutting for demonstration and promotional material for Season 2. Travis Wuertz built his own piece of awesomeness. Bill Goldberg, the wrestler. had a big cleaver built by Wayne Meligan, who had competed on Season 1. Tu was interested in having me build him a blade for him. <br />
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In particular The Mutant double-edged carcass splitter that was my reaction to seeing the first episode of the show caught his attention.<br />
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We discussed what he was looking for, his thoughts, my thoughts, made some sketches, and continued the discussion after I got back home. What I ended up building was a kind of pan-Asian dao that Tu named the Ronin War Sword. There are influences from Chinese pudao, Korean hyeopdo, Vietnamese yem nguyet dao, and Nepalese ram dao.<br />
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The steel is, of course, 80CrV2, with a 16" blade and 18" handle. The weight ended up just over 3 pounds, with the point of balance right behind the front Turk's head knot. The handle wrap is toasted hemp cord over a neoprene foundation, impregnated with West System marine epoxy.<br />
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The main edge is a tall flat bevel with secondary bevel, while the spine side and clip are zero-ground convex edges. Stout, and hair-shaving.<br />
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In addition to a forward lanyard hole, I laser-engraved Tu's dragon logo on the blade.<br />
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I built an open-backed Boltaron sheath for it.<br />
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A look at the War Sword in my hands...<br />
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...and a far more dramatic shot of it in Tu's grip. It looks better with him! <br />
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I know that there has been at least some cutting done with it in association with the show. Tu made a nice, clean cut on a big fish using the convex side.<br />
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The Ronin War Sword and the other hosts' blades have been all over social media in promotional material, but Travis' sword is the only one that I've seen (in very quick shots) actually on TV.<br />
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I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up the latest issue of Knives Illustrated to see that in their interview with Bill Goldberg and Tu Lam, that Tu discussed the Ronin War Sword and they included a picture of him with it. That makes two months in a row that my work has ended up in Knives Illustrated. :D<br />
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In spite of living a nearly hermit-like existence, I sure get to meet some interesting people and do some interesting things. :DHelm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-27861681285510123672018-09-23T19:40:00.000-07:002018-09-23T20:39:23.025-07:00Blade Show, months laterIt has been a very busy summer and I haven't kept things updated as I should.<br />
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Had an awesome Blade Show this year (first weekend in June! I am way behind!), and two full tables of inventory. This year had the distinction of the *first* show I've ever had a table where I wasn't having to sharpen blades in the hotel room/at the table. My wife was happy about that. :D<br />
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One table was dedicated to forged blades and the other to mid-techs.<br />
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Ed Calderon, the Taco Ninja, usually works with the small and concealable, but he loves my big carcass splitters.<br />
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Filthy Mitch added to his impressive collection of Helm blades with a smaller carcass splitter and my first-ever ginunting, plus one or two mid-techs.<br />
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Tu Lam, co-host of the History Channel cutting competition show "Knife or Death" had seen my big blades on Instagram and arranged to meet up to discuss a project for him. More details later.<br />
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Tobin Nieto re-created the pose used by artist Matt Dyck for my T-shirt design, using the wakizashi/tanto daisho collaboration I did with Ben Tendick.<br />
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I was quite pleased and humbled when ABS Mastersmith Lin Rhea came over to my table to tell me he appreciated what I was doing in the field of forged blades. Especially high praise given his amazing skill with a hammer.<br />
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Allan Reid of ARctc Knives was grinding so hard he got to the show late, but he came with a good showing.<br />
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James Huse earned his ABS Journeyman Smith stamp this year. Congratulations!</div>
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A better look at the forged blades. All wrapped handles. The cleavers are 5160, the rest are 80CrV2. The hemp wraps were torched prior to being impregnated with epoxy. Sheaths are Boltaron.<br />
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Especially with the cleavers, I've been working on getting closer to the final shape with my power hammer, Gunnhilda. The cleavers in particular only had hand forging to straighten them. The power hammer die texture on those has not been smoothed over with a hand hammer as I usually do. Just an area of skill I'm currently working on refining.<br />
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It's been a while, so any dimensions mentioned below will be approximate.<br />
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Carcass splitter with an 18" blade, 22" handle.<br />
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Carcass splitter with a 15" blade, 14" handle.<br />
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Bush sword, about 15" blade.<br />
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The first ginunting I've made, about a 15" blade. I'm working on my second one right now for inventory for Blade Show West.<br />
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This carcass splitter was my reaction to seeing what challenges were on the first episode of "Knife or Death" on the History Channel. I call it "The Mutant". :D Approximately a 14.5" blade, 14" handle. The "spine" side is sharpened with a stout convex edge that is frighteningly sharp. The idea being that the main edge would work for most of the cutting tasks, while the convex edge is reserved for particularly damaging tests such as buckets of gravel and huge ice blocks. I think of the design as a hybrid fusion of a carcass splitter and a Nepalese ram dao. It balances on the heavy side for plenty of inertia, but is still nimble and *very* powerful! This was one of the blades that caught Tu Lam's attention.<br />
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I initially tried to build a normal Boltaron sheath, but saw that the chances of grievous harm to the sheather was high, so ended up turning it into a split sheath.<br />
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The cleaver hole is centered on the blade instead of offset toward the spine, which made me think of a Cyclops and contributed to its name.<br />
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While this particular carcass splitter was not forged until after the Blade Show, it was requested by a repeat customer after the other short carcass splitter got picked up by Filthy Mitch at the show. He was really hoping it would make it through the show so he could buy it, so I ended up making him one as close to the one he had liked. <br />
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I'm currently working on inventory for Blade Show West coming up the first weekend in October in Portland, OR. It'll be my first time in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm looking forward to it. Only one table this time, and all of the inventory is forged work.Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-68818213301677758962018-09-19T17:25:00.000-07:002018-09-19T17:25:13.373-07:00Join the Barbarian Horde!I just created a Facebook group for folks who own blades I've made, and other interested parties.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/263993174242038/" target="_blank">Helm Enterprises, Barbarian Horde Division</a><br />
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If you're on FB, feel free to join! Would love to see pictures of folks' blades, especially pics of them being put to work. :)<br />
Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-52519728968830635832018-09-11T11:50:00.000-07:002018-09-11T11:50:57.228-07:00Knives Illustrated articleIf you pick up a copy of the November 2018 "Knives Illustrated" magazine, you'll see a well-written article about one of my knives by Waysun Johnny Tsai. <br />
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This 7 1/2" bladed variation of my Benghazi Warfighter model got put through a pretty thorough series of tests and did what it was supposed to. <br />
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Thanks to Waysun for the testing, the article, and the good-quality photos.<br />
Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-12178199080778227052018-07-23T09:26:00.000-07:002018-07-23T11:11:16.995-07:00Mini-fridge massacreNot necessarily something I'd recommend, but apparently my bush swords are mini-fridge rated. :D<br />
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Customer pics.<br />
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<br />Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-24943097017243441092018-05-26T22:42:00.001-07:002018-05-26T22:42:20.665-07:00Pre-Blade Show Carcass SplitterIn the weeks leading up to the Blade Show, a knifemaker's life gets pretty crazy. One aspect, especially for full-timers, is moving along enough work for customers to be able to stay ahead of the bills while also building inventory for the show. Add to that equipment breakage, injuries, lack of sleep, torrential rains, high heat and humidity, and general bad luck and it's a wonder any of us make it to Atlanta alive and coherent.<br />
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As part of the pre-Blade balancing, I forged out a couple of big ol' carcass splitters. One was to be a commission, the other table inventory. I let the customer pick which of the two he liked once they were forged out, then finished it out to his taste.<br />
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I'm kind of enjoying shaping the fawn's foot handles on these full-sized carcass splitters.<br />
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The blades were forged as closely as possible with the power hammer, with a hand hammer used only for straightening. The spines are as-forged.<br />
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Getting the handle wraps epoxied with some other Blade Show inventory.<br />
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The customer picked the blade with slightly more curve to the profile, and requested hemp cord (over a neoprene foundation) and black paracord Turk's head knots fore and aft.<br />
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I built a Boltaron sheath for it.<br />
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Little hard to see in the picture, but there is more power hammer texture in the blade than usual.<br />
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Big blade!<br />
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Long handle!<br />
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The specs: Blade is forged from 1/4" 5160 steel, is 18 1/2" long and 3 1/2" wide. The overall length is 40 1/4" and the weight is 77 ounces, or 4.8 pounds. It shaved hair cleanly down the full length of the edge.<br />
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The customer commented upon receipt, "Pics are great, but you need to feel this thing in your hands to appreciate it." :)Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-87163044325841271412018-05-15T15:26:00.000-07:002018-05-15T15:26:00.341-07:00Bevy of bush swordsSome bush swords recently finished up and off to their new owners.<br />
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All are 80CrV2 steel with marine epoxy-impregnated cord wraps and Boltaron sheaths.<br />
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About a 13 1/2" blade, based on a wooden Filipino training sword the customer already had. Black on black wrap.<br />
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This one is about a 16" blade. It was made for an old schoolmate of mine, one grade ahead but who was in several classes with me in high school. Olive drab on OD wrap, tan Boltaron.<br />
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I had made it almost 36 years without any stitches. As I was re-sheathing it from taking these pics, the sheath slipped and I cut the ever-lovin' crap out of the thumb on my dominant hand, earning 10 stitches. I tweaked the sheath to be a smidge looser before mailing it to him. :) Sure has made it challenging to get ready for the Blade Show.<br />
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And finally, a two-hander with an 18" blade and a hemp cord wrap. Wasn't sure about it, but by the time I finished up, I really liked it. Fast and powerful!<br />
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-72134541433114709122018-05-08T21:30:00.001-07:002018-05-08T21:30:06.627-07:00Pre-Blade Show commissioned bladesThe Blade Show approaches with frightening rapidity, as usual. I have two tables and at the moment nothing ready. <br />
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I did have this 5160 blade, but it sold within a few minutes of me posting it on Instagram. My wife wasn't too happy about that, but my pickup's transmission decided it needed rebuilt RIGHT NOW and I needed the money.<br />
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The rest of these were commissions that I finished up prior to the show. They're all 80CrV2 steel with Boltaron sheaths.<br />
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These two are about 7 1/2" blades.<br />
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A 5" blade with retina-searing neon orange over hemp, for a deer hunter who wanted a hi-viz knife handle.<br />
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And a blade a bit over 6".<br />
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And now, panic mode engage! Time to FORGE AHEAD!!!! :D :D :D :DHelm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-52717239680640131522018-04-24T21:51:00.002-07:002018-04-24T21:51:22.734-07:00Helm/Tendick Wakizashi/Tanto Daisho WakizashiNote: These are available. Check out the "Available Work" section for details.<br />
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Sometime last year I made an o-tanto that caught the eye of the very talented Ben Tendick of BRT Bladeworks in Oregon. We had been wanting to do a collaboration for a while, and it seemed like a good direction to go. The tanto was slated for someone, so I forged another, and ended up making a wakizashi in the same style as well. I forged the blades, and Ben did the rest of the work.<br />
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Here's what was sent to Ben, a 16" and a 11.5" blade forged from 80CrV2 steel, heat treated and ready for Ben to work his magic on the handles. I left the tangs big and blocky to give Ben plenty of canvas on which to paint.<br />
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Ben worked them down, shouldered the tangs to fit the tsubas, and drilled the holes to anchor the wrap.<br />
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I left all the details to Ben on how he wanted to finish. He decided to use wrought iron for the tsubas. In his words, "I did my best to capture that well used Ronin style in this set."<br />
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And copper menuki with his touchmark.<br />
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He went with antiqued cotton cord for the underlay. <br />
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Finished up.<br />
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I think Ben nailed it. 8-) </div>
Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-69616369598707097022018-04-05T20:25:00.002-07:002018-04-05T20:25:34.028-07:00Benghazi Warfighters and Little RoksWorking on a small batch of mid-tech stock removal Benghazi Warfighters and Little Roks. These are cut from 3/16" 80CrV2 steel, ground and heat treated, and coated with Cerakote. They will be getting TeroTuf handle scales and Boltaron sheaths. When finished, they will be available at Blue Line Gear.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bluelinegear.com/shop-brands/Helm-Forged" target="_blank">Blue Line Gear</a><br />
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-63988068587728126292018-04-04T10:47:00.001-07:002018-04-04T10:47:08.350-07:00Camp chopper and Hisshou re-wrapA couple more blades that have recently left my shop.<br />
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The first is a camp chopper traded to another knifemaker for a kitchen knife for my wife. It's taken a loooong time for me to finish it up. It has a 13" blade forged from 80CrV2 steel, with a tan over black paracord wrap and tan Kydex sheath.<br />
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The second is a re-wrap on a CRKT Hisshou, designed by James Williams. I usually don't work on other people's blades, but this is the design that started me playing around with tanto designs of my own. The customer had already stripped off the handle wrap and ray skin underlay, leaving the polymer bolster in place. I laid down a neoprene foundation, followed by a tan paracord underlay and tang paracord overlay, with a three-strand Turk's head knot on top of the bolster.<br />
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The sheath on this is Boltaron, very similar to Kydex but less susceptible to temperature changes once molded. I think it has some better definition as well. The pistol holster guys like it. This is what I'll be using on sheaths now.<br />
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The Hisshou is zero ground, something I've never done, but I touched it up with my stropping belt on my belt grinder with some green chrome compound. He noticed, sayin, "It's friggin' shaving sharp!" :DHelm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-75225920363075477062018-03-30T08:26:00.002-07:002018-03-30T08:26:41.612-07:00Parangs and bolosI recently forged out four choppers for inventory for the Blade Show, two parangs and two bolos. A couple of customers came along and laid claim to one of each design, so now I have one parang and one bolo for Blade. Better get hammering!<br />
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They were all forged from 3/16" 80CrV2 steel and came out light and fast in the hand.<br />
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The parangs ended up with hemp cord wraps and paracord Turk's head knots. All of them got Boltaron sheaths.<br />
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The bolos got paracord wraps and fully sharpened top edges. The one claimed by a customer got a "rattler" pattern camo paracord per the customer's request, as well as a shoulder sling.<br />
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Both customers were happy with their blades. The fellow who got the parang sent some pictures of it being used for yard work, along with a blade from my buddy Tobin Nieto.<br />
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Always glad to see my blades put to work. :)Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-8173683839301095332018-03-26T19:16:00.003-07:002018-03-26T19:16:46.281-07:00Biohazard Outbreak Response Blade, Short<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
I've made a number of bush swords down through the years inspired by a certain blade in a zombie-killing video game. They typically are around 15" blades. Here's the first of this basic style to be made, back in 2015:</div>
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I recently made a shorter blade that is essentially the Biohazard Outbreak Response Blade scaled down to a 9 3/4" blade. I really dig it!</div>
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This was the fastest knife to sell that I've done. I had forged and trimmed to the rough shape, posted a picture on Instagram, and it was laid claim to within three minutes! :D</div>
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Here's the initial picture:</div>
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<br />It was finished out with a thick false edge, aggressifying the aesthetics but not coming close to a cutting edge. The customer wanted a hemp cord wrap, and I topped it off with a three-strand Turk's head knot in paracord.</div>
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The sheath has my first-ever molded drainage hole at the tip, again per the customer's request.</div>
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Feels great in the hand!</div>
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In comparison with a tanto with an 8 7/8" blade. Similar lengths, totally different knives!</div>
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<br />The customer's response upon getting it was, "What is this damn monstrosity!" In a good way. :D</div>
Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-90982643695866179982018-03-17T22:42:00.000-07:002018-03-26T09:35:15.020-07:00Smaller knives, tantos and rooster spursI like making big knives, but of course make small ones too. It's actually more difficult for me to make a 4" blade than a 12" blade. Here are some littler ones that recently left the shop for new homes. All are 80CrV2 steel with marine epoxy-impregnated wraps.<br />
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Two tantos. The long, slim one has an 8 7/8" long blade. The little kwaiken is a 4" blade, 4" handle, with hemp cord for the underlay on the wrap and paracord on top. <br />
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And two rooster spurs. The top one has a 5 1/2" blade, the bottom a 4" like the original. Both have fully sharpened top edges. This was a his-and-hers set, hence the pink camo cord on the bottom one. :D<br />
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-82926058722603099872018-03-17T22:39:00.004-07:002018-03-17T22:39:51.055-07:00Donation knives and culinary knivesI can't afford to give away too many knives, but I do the occasional donation piece. I *always* make sure to donate a blade to Knife Rights for their Ultimate Steel fundraiser (currently forged out), but these two are not for that.<br />
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The first is for a fundraiser at my old high school, raising money for teachers whose projects for their students go beyond the allotted budget. I never have and never will have any school spirit, but I have a lot of respect for certain individual teachers because it was their efforts in conjunction with mine and not necessarily the institution itself that made a difference in my education. I was approached by an old classmate to make a knife for the fundraiser and agreed to help the teachers going above and beyond the requirements. I used a black and gold wrap because those are the school colors, of course. :D I demonstrated the wrap as a class I taught at Johnny Stout's Guadalupe Forge Hammer-in.<br />
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The second one is for WISH, a women's and children's shelter in Muskogee, Oklahoma. As there was no requirement for a particular color scheme, I went with a subdued black-over-olive drab wrap. I used this one to demonstrate making sheaths at the same Hammer-in, though I ran long with the wrap class and ended up having to finish out the sheath in a piecemeal fashion the rest of the day after molding.<br />
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The two together. No reason for the difference in length, that's just how they ended up. :D<br />
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And something well outside my usual wheelhouse, a couple of cooking knives ordered up for wedding gifts. This is the first pair of a series of wedding gift knives since apparently everyone the customer knows is getting married. The customer wanted a 3" paring knife and a 6" chef knife. Handles are red G10 with black G10 liners and black G10 with red G10 liners.<br />
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I have made a small handful of cooking knives in the past and never really been happy with them. I've had a lot of trouble with warping due to the thinness of the blades, so in this case I didn't forge the blades at all but cut them from 1/8" 80CrV2 and heat treated them at full thickness. That, of course, meant grinding the bevels carefully so as not to ruin the temper. The VFD controller on my new AmeriBrade grinder helped a lot in that department. The customer wanted a 3" paring knife and a 6" chef knife.<br />
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He picked them up in person. Good guy! Not the first knife nor the last he'll be getting from me. The finish on these is a machine finish with a Scothbrite belt, with the handles buffed on a fine Scotchbrite ball. They're coated in butcher's block mineral oil (contents: mineral oil). <br />
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-72517374070794247372018-03-12T13:03:00.000-07:002018-03-12T13:03:03.582-07:00Rooster Spur bodyguard knifeA guy who does bodyguard work for rock stars approached me about doing a short, cord wrapped knife for him. It seemed like an interesting project, so I took it. He wanted a 4" blade (about as short as I ever make) and 4" handle (shorter than I usually do), sharpened top edge, cord wrapped handle, but left the rest of it up to me. I took a few tips I've picked up from Ed Calderon and a bit of Spanish navaja influence, some pikal design, and came up with the Rooster Spur.<br />
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It's forged from 80CrV2 steel, with a hemp cord wrap over the bare steel of the tang. <br />
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It has a narrow little point for easy penetration. A two-strand Turk's head provides a mechanical lock for the hand to keep it in place when stabbing.<br />
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As mentioned above, it was designed with pikal techniques in mind, and the handle works well with a thumb anchor grip.<br />
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And, of course, a Kydex sheath for carry.<br />
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It's garnered enough attention that I'm strongly considering a mid-tech version once I have the process all sorted out. :)<br />
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The customer described it as "a tank with a razor edge". :D<br />
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-53784067874959251652018-01-29T19:32:00.000-08:002018-01-29T19:32:24.369-08:00Biggest carcass splitter so far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I just mailed off an interesting project: The biggest carcass splitter I've built to date. It was the widest and heaviest blade I've made (though not the longest), and I really want to make more. Probably will have one on my table at the Blade Show in June.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzFDOubjsf5-4xLYbV4Nup-Z3O3l2Po7qS-zHkWiyVv5qPebO4laAfSbs_5TqfdIfkwBVhAWavBKsmj6j36GfzRIRjh2y5nP3XM8U8xem24an5gv-2QvohD-SClwyuwJglzeGtz0vBsQ/s1600/carcassplitterfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="808" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzFDOubjsf5-4xLYbV4Nup-Z3O3l2Po7qS-zHkWiyVv5qPebO4laAfSbs_5TqfdIfkwBVhAWavBKsmj6j36GfzRIRjh2y5nP3XM8U8xem24an5gv-2QvohD-SClwyuwJglzeGtz0vBsQ/s400/carcassplitterfinal.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
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The blade is 18" long by 3 1/2" wide, with an overall length of 40 1/2".</div>
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Its size made it difficult to take a picture that really showed the size and proportions correctly, but I got a few, and shot a video comparing it with an antique carcass splitter I was given by a customer. </div>
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Here's the starting blank, cut from 1/4" x 3" 5160.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1vftH81CywRrSH-ukseVZoH3GqePRaTsYkVkZ7xej1cncLwMlI_g0Re-q_QoUvQ4qn4_aDUQJAzG6jX-Uo16BGw38aPN4sewCYXIMaPWxe4yF3A6tyOxk1_J47X8BreIZ1FGRoxQEcI/s1600/carcasssplitter02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1vftH81CywRrSH-ukseVZoH3GqePRaTsYkVkZ7xej1cncLwMlI_g0Re-q_QoUvQ4qn4_aDUQJAzG6jX-Uo16BGw38aPN4sewCYXIMaPWxe4yF3A6tyOxk1_J47X8BreIZ1FGRoxQEcI/s400/carcasssplitter02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After forging out, the blade was about 4" at its widest, though after trimming the end to be aesthetically pleasing, it was 3 1/2".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFZL51K1NL2x4P1E4sugZPXNwwSR_6fcEcJN_ZgKdO7NAKQLlP2TJ44JC9ZIqchAhaHAUP-5taf2DczljysmuARy_H2ILLNPILVXqgiKvgDAJc4Gg3OVcqevcBvxz4d4lxSeKWI_5sjk/s1600/carcasssplitter04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFZL51K1NL2x4P1E4sugZPXNwwSR_6fcEcJN_ZgKdO7NAKQLlP2TJ44JC9ZIqchAhaHAUP-5taf2DczljysmuARy_H2ILLNPILVXqgiKvgDAJc4Gg3OVcqevcBvxz4d4lxSeKWI_5sjk/s400/carcasssplitter04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Comparison with the antique carcass splitter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mOvB764w9j_C8qpyEZQXy1-QJDyFKAeYHJjncY8YTl_sSARknrtZ8opSTee9_9FiT0brDip1AywarvLNJxrYwfAqKhiQPWWdQi1Tu-Jno77kTAgDzavZ2STThhKNmFutWPnUcQZKcq8/s1600/carcasssplitter08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mOvB764w9j_C8qpyEZQXy1-QJDyFKAeYHJjncY8YTl_sSARknrtZ8opSTee9_9FiT0brDip1AywarvLNJxrYwfAqKhiQPWWdQi1Tu-Jno77kTAgDzavZ2STThhKNmFutWPnUcQZKcq8/s400/carcasssplitter08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ready to heat treat. To give an idea of size, my anvil is 148 lbs, and the face is about 4" x 15".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43IanUXDKl4UdBQC5tY_QNB495peL93FD1tu-sv4NEriEkH7iPak21YVax95OzydfSQ0r4iyWnJq2sZIwXproLq4j31Ly4mYiw3x8MHMQ2vvfOX_S2_Cq0fTiCglrdTw1irS456e4Yrk/s1600/carcasssplitter08c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43IanUXDKl4UdBQC5tY_QNB495peL93FD1tu-sv4NEriEkH7iPak21YVax95OzydfSQ0r4iyWnJq2sZIwXproLq4j31Ly4mYiw3x8MHMQ2vvfOX_S2_Cq0fTiCglrdTw1irS456e4Yrk/s400/carcasssplitter08c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was so large, I couldn't fit the whole thing into my kiln that I use to draw temper. I ended up holding the kiln lid open with firebricks, then filling in the gap with various bits of broken fire brick. If you look closely, the end of the tang is poking out between two bricks just under the little angled tab on the lid.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNCgUlkK-_CnK6gBmm4LO8AkskuvtgXnn3HzajiU2N9-NtCcfSxdLlSpvOVjzyxgIfxI1XSc9rpZ9jYWjM4AWdfMfKZnShxu1pkdh0WiYS1VI_W0gkARvcke2peEESLyC6Lby4JoDVl8/s1600/carcasssplitter09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNCgUlkK-_CnK6gBmm4LO8AkskuvtgXnn3HzajiU2N9-NtCcfSxdLlSpvOVjzyxgIfxI1XSc9rpZ9jYWjM4AWdfMfKZnShxu1pkdh0WiYS1VI_W0gkARvcke2peEESLyC6Lby4JoDVl8/s400/carcasssplitter09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ready for mischief!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9rBH3I2Tz8cgIxH8TCgQ9fqe30uzs7Ei4vVComqVM4ac7PAjszqnVvGjNKa6W6aP2Su4T3MIkZ4mxk1PHFRxf6bkDjJwByFwozlvZKzXkMlRoE0K0sIiy32OMJ0DPUAJYQHjj1u4nqg/s1600/carcasssplitter13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9rBH3I2Tz8cgIxH8TCgQ9fqe30uzs7Ei4vVComqVM4ac7PAjszqnVvGjNKa6W6aP2Su4T3MIkZ4mxk1PHFRxf6bkDjJwByFwozlvZKzXkMlRoE0K0sIiy32OMJ0DPUAJYQHjj1u4nqg/s400/carcasssplitter13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is a better look at both carcass splitters, more details, more construction pics, wildly irresponsible swinging about of an 18" long razor-like blade, and general silliness in this video.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nasLRvEhrRU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nasLRvEhrRU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3786274852810844283.post-41851657315330076982018-01-24T21:22:00.002-08:002018-01-24T21:22:56.113-08:00Diplomatic blades and a couple of choppers<div data-redactor="1">
I had an interesting opportunity pop up recently when I was contacted about making a couple of knives to be used as diplomatic gifts between the US Army and a couple of generals in the Mexican Army. I didn't have a whole lot of time to work with, but I happened to have some prototype mid-tech Benghazi Warfighter and Little Rok blades already ground, heat treated, and powdercoated, so I agreed. </div>
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3/16" 80CrV2 steel, TeroTuf handles, and flared stainless steel tube handle rivets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0g3R0J0SdQccJPFGemiF_-6Q-EJeS9qa7GwWGdlN2TWAtEJJgKaN83YVIaG_p_HUQ9h-a1QvbwXZnQ0FdWfgHu6N5S6eku5k0VWfA4SUDzbMf_fkfjDhrq3-8YXHUuY8Ua-2ptzk1hE/s1600/diplomacy01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0g3R0J0SdQccJPFGemiF_-6Q-EJeS9qa7GwWGdlN2TWAtEJJgKaN83YVIaG_p_HUQ9h-a1QvbwXZnQ0FdWfgHu6N5S6eku5k0VWfA4SUDzbMf_fkfjDhrq3-8YXHUuY8Ua-2ptzk1hE/s400/diplomacy01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I was given the names and ranks to be laser engraved in the blades, I was surprised to find that the knives were gifts for the Mexican Secretary of Defense and his Chief of Staff! :o<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOudK9ZH2MYb_BL4RcLF4ba3qmuMUaErr-zJFQEVmFyxYhcUw8kf2dMMwo37i1OKg2zF9T1ipeom0UUsEzMtbFM6R5q7cAAeMBdA3tBHDvcmxWiQEeh6etzVPYfdCAyLEi0EkQtxxUODI/s1600/diplomacy03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOudK9ZH2MYb_BL4RcLF4ba3qmuMUaErr-zJFQEVmFyxYhcUw8kf2dMMwo37i1OKg2zF9T1ipeom0UUsEzMtbFM6R5q7cAAeMBdA3tBHDvcmxWiQEeh6etzVPYfdCAyLEi0EkQtxxUODI/s400/diplomacy03.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was an honor to be chosen for the task. :)</div>
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And, on an entirely different tack, a couple of choppers finished up recently. Forged 80Crv2, paracord over neoprene, marine epoxy, the usual.</div>
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13 1/2" blade, black and gold. Customer commented, "Love my knife."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxivMACpk4yRS-zPSvu-DpVHbkwmbm-dvXXizwTMgLcrCQED0utpBwHif8tpAHwiJWwRnn9tfqixI_Tj6ACi3xJdTOdDFV2Mn4mH-kmgHKrURVskHwtoOlvelHx7xp0NEl7d1zSxgWXGQ/s1600/chopper01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxivMACpk4yRS-zPSvu-DpVHbkwmbm-dvXXizwTMgLcrCQED0utpBwHif8tpAHwiJWwRnn9tfqixI_Tj6ACi3xJdTOdDFV2Mn4mH-kmgHKrURVskHwtoOlvelHx7xp0NEl7d1zSxgWXGQ/s400/chopper01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSbuNT2nm5xMd-S_KHuQbdxy0ewT2gRj5_1tL4C-6QM47yoSEYvkQIPEwqgomH7lvvA7RBH5IJGuIDtoQzRVGarK95dQdR9mFUoBvjw4MekzO8VSKkCFtb1mZ906GUfiqBynOUdI9aUY/s1600/chopper02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSbuNT2nm5xMd-S_KHuQbdxy0ewT2gRj5_1tL4C-6QM47yoSEYvkQIPEwqgomH7lvvA7RBH5IJGuIDtoQzRVGarK95dQdR9mFUoBvjw4MekzO8VSKkCFtb1mZ906GUfiqBynOUdI9aUY/s400/chopper02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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14 1/4" blade, tan and black. This customer, a fellow knife maker, commented, "Dude! This thing is perfect. I love it!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAGNghozvfnNILvuexMcShLP9erZ4381EurKXB1ovSNuBk1BP5c0k-LcxCJwzroPf84sToQb3fFdEiZHvvM5UdAhjZULEHU9gBUjwwSynXump1dkBBPp2rnglHHqeeFAWvWQxDECNSxs/s1600/zw01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAGNghozvfnNILvuexMcShLP9erZ4381EurKXB1ovSNuBk1BP5c0k-LcxCJwzroPf84sToQb3fFdEiZHvvM5UdAhjZULEHU9gBUjwwSynXump1dkBBPp2rnglHHqeeFAWvWQxDECNSxs/s400/zw01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_EHnfNs6fKgY27LVNHMhekm6m81ryjQfBiBO_T7jr7U1rwVosXjxTMyyES2n7dP2oKMhGVwzm-Fiul8TFWhk4SL_NAY86hghfp-tQvJAQZvEi0vmBlOJTMuEZgDq-TkbAcTXFxwJNoc/s1600/zw02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_EHnfNs6fKgY27LVNHMhekm6m81ryjQfBiBO_T7jr7U1rwVosXjxTMyyES2n7dP2oKMhGVwzm-Fiul8TFWhk4SL_NAY86hghfp-tQvJAQZvEi0vmBlOJTMuEZgDq-TkbAcTXFxwJNoc/s400/zw02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Always glad to have happy customers. :)</div>
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Helm Enterprises, Forging Divisionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17078122225999722290noreply@blogger.com0