Eddie Mullins
Well-Known Member
Since my smithing interests have now incorporated knife making, I've realized its time to make myself some more tongs. I currently use flat Jaw, bolt and a smaller set of box jaw tongs. I was planning to do a set or two of larger sized box jaw tongs, but am now thinking the blade style or offset/gooseneck v bit style might work better due to the tapers and contours of the blade. I have also seen a style in an old video that were used by a knife maker that were a sort of modified box jaw with just 1 vertical side, and the other bit bit being curved. I presume this was to compensate for different widths and tapers?
I'm not looking to buy and can shape as desired, so, not limiting yourselfs to whats on the market, but those are fair game too, what is or could be the best tong design(s) for forging knives? I don't mind making a few styles to test them out, I'm enjoying the blades, but I'm kind of missing forging tools, etc. : ) .
BTW - I'm currently just using A36 for tongs and the like, but thinking I could go with 4140 or similar and use smaller stock for the tongs, making them lighter and retain the same strength. thoughts?
I'm not looking to buy and can shape as desired, so, not limiting yourselfs to whats on the market, but those are fair game too, what is or could be the best tong design(s) for forging knives? I don't mind making a few styles to test them out, I'm enjoying the blades, but I'm kind of missing forging tools, etc. : ) .
BTW - I'm currently just using A36 for tongs and the like, but thinking I could go with 4140 or similar and use smaller stock for the tongs, making them lighter and retain the same strength. thoughts?