:lol:Heh, heh… that’s funny since it is actually the other way around, I have been making knives for almost 35 years now and have held an ABS Master rating since 1995. Although some may think otherwise, I could never bring myself to teach or hand out the information that I do without years of hands on practical experience.
You have a tire hammer then, I think they are pretty slick, the first time I saw one was when I first taught an ABS course in Haywood NC where they have them, I actually enjoy working with that hammer whenever I teach there. One should be able to handle a 3 to 6 lb billet. Feel free to contact me for anything else I can help with.
Kevin,
The main reason I didn't know was because I have never heard you mention anything about your knives, or even seen one posted, I do remember you talking about your salt pots, so that should have been a freakin clue! And since you said it, I remember seeing somewhere that you are a MasterSmith! That is so awesome.
I went back to your website and it looks great! I would like to see more knives though! And the Heat Treat section is great, it explains so much, in terms I can understand....to a degree...
Yeah, my Tire hammer is pretty sweet, I had to think on it a long time, but when I had the cash to do it, and I weighed my options and total costs with everything, this was an easy choice. A decent 25 lb Little Giant will run around 2K to 3500, + the shipping or the cost of going and picking it up, PROVIDED it is on my side of the planet! Most I found, after figuring expenses, would have cost me closer to 5K total price, when this Tire Hammer, built by John Wayne Taylor, is in the next county, costs 2500.00(brand new, BTW) and 30 bucks worth of gas, another $100 to hire a guy with a tractor, and it is in place at it's forever home! I haven't had the chance to use it yet, but I should be banging this weekend, after I finish up several long running projects.
Speaking of which, my shop is just about ready, my new forge that I built, is just about done, all my new benches are done, I had a few fixtures I wanted to build but they will have to wait, I haven't made a knife since I had my heart attack back in March! So I'm jonesing for some hot steel! I think my first trick wil be to make a knife out of some of the W-2 I got from Aldo, I'm feeling a big MONSTER chopper coming my way!!! You know for research....testing, that kinda stuff! And protection from giant, man eating, WOOLY BOOGERS!!!!! There could be some, best to be prepared!!! Thanks Kevin, when I get into my next W-2 blade, I'll be contacting you to make sure I don't make any more mistakes like the last one, Thanks For EVERYTHING!!! Rex