This is why I'm subscribed. Other channels put out videos of projects that appear to have gone smoothly by only using a small amount of their footage. Then they edit to be as flattering as possible. Chandler shows what it's really like, struggles, set backs, solutions and success. No matter what.
It’s great to be back watching you work my good man. I’m still waiting for a phone call from you asking to come work w/‘you. My offer always stands. You, my man, started smithing the same time I did and I’ve learned sooo much. Thax to you I am a better smith all around as well as a better man. Hope all is well and as always, keep up the great work and awesome vids!! 🍀🕉⚒🕉🍀 Brett- 4-Leaf Clover Blacksmithing
hey there Sir Chandler,. Good to see you, kinda like an old friend stopping by ,.. as always your ability to show how to work through the hurdles is what would make the Colonist proud ,. thanks
It's good to see you pounding on steel again! And I hope it makes you feel good to do it - I think that's very important for you. I'd be proud to have a kitchen knife hand-forged by you...
Old files can be full of micro fractures that expand during forging regardless of the annealing process. Chandler got unlucky with this one with 3 that were discovered. The issue is they are hardened without tempering then used as a tool which gets them abused with drops and such. Then once they are abandoned as a tool they become scrap which gives them even more abuse. Old files are great for reclaiming quality steel but it is a lottery if the file is worth reclaiming. I wouldn't use one that is clearly broken. A good source of quality reclaimed steel is suspension parts from cars and trucks, not just leaf springs but tie rods/sway bars, torsion bars... any rod really including the one inside a shock or strut. The Torsion bars and rods inside shocks and struts are perfect for custom punches. Valve stems also make great punches too. All but the valve stems are good quality steel that has been tempered to spring steel so the abuse they took was taken in stride without producing microfractures. Valve stems are hardened but they don't take abuse that produces micro fractures.
Hey Chandler great video, good to see you, hoping your able to get more vids up and out. Looking forward to the next one, take'r easy and see you soon!
Ive looked at this video a lot of times. There is not much id do different maybe the handle a smidge longer. And cut a slot in the top of the purple heart rather than a hole for a neater fit up. Its such a beautiful blade.
Hi Chandler, nice to see you using that new wire brush instead of that lil ole on you had used for soooo long before. AND, great to see you again. . . . .as my wife says, "progress, not perfection". I have faith you'll find a way to cope, stay strong.
Chandler it would be real nice to see you on forged in fire. You got some skills others should see. Since i found your channel i've watched you forged rusty tools into knives. rail road spikes. shop floor metal shavings among other things. Your relaxed attitude would serve you well under those conditions. You've even casually done the 3 hrs challenge. i dont think they could throw anything at you that you havent done before for fun. anyways just my thoughts. keep the videos coming. always glad to see one pop up :)
You really seem to like that dog head style of hammer! WHY? Do they handle better in forging or is there another reason? I love watching your videos because they are real! When a mistake or something not planned happens we get to see just how you fo;;ow it through! I love it!
That steel seems to have an excessive amount of carbon and no other alloy elements to increase the steel toughness, so it easily over-hardens when mechanically worked (which forms microscopic quenchings as the metal compresses and re-expands after being suddenly deformed -- cold-rolled steel, for example). Steel is an amazing material, but it is difficult to tell what it is really made of without special tests sometimes...
I have been getting cracks like yours using modern files. No ideas as to why but have noticed that happening too. Usually when I got the steel to hot and not when working it to cold. It makes no sense but that is what I got. Would be great to know why.
Yes that may be the prob. I only normalized each stack once in prep for forge welding. Perhaps the steel is still brittle even after that. Will have to give that a go.
I think Alec Steele kinda explained your issue when he made a video for the forged in fire challenge out of a bearing. Sometimes you can heat the material too much.
Yes could be John but why would over heating cause the cracks. Any ideas in regards to the metallurgical reasons behind it. Would help in avoiding the same issue next time! I remember seeing that vid and even asking Alec on it but he prob did not see my comment.
So if I remember correctly certain steels will lose their carbon content when over heated. Also the grain structures can grow larger making the material brittle. Alec said he used 52100 steel for that knife and 52100 has the issue of crystal growth when over heated, but I think it can be managed through heat treating and hardening the steel. How ever that is what causes more of the carbon to be lost. I really can not be certain if this is the actual cause though. Chandler said it was a used file and chances are the crack were there before he ever heated the material. Chances are that is what really happened, but I also think it was grain growth. Since it fractured when he tried to punch the hole in it.
Question, Chandler. When you got that crack in the blade, could you,... heat the blade to yellow in the forge, then TIG the crack to weld it back together WITHOUT adding welding rod? I don't know, so I ask. Jon
You could but it'll always be a weak spot, i've used high carbon rods on knives and it works but it's never quite the same... If you tig weld it you'd end up with a low spot anyway that would need grinding and strictly speaking it would need forging again because it's technically cast steel after you weld it. It's not worth bothering with IMO
We don't make mistakes in knife making. Just smaller knives.
So many smaller knives!
This is why I'm subscribed. Other channels put out videos of projects that appear to have gone smoothly by only using a small amount of their footage. Then they edit to be as flattering as possible. Chandler shows what it's really like, struggles, set backs, solutions and success. No matter what.
Really enjoyed the totality of your process.
Good to see you back making vids. These are actually my favorite type. Just hammering out a project.
Good to see you back Chandler hope to see more of you
It’s great to be back watching you work my good man. I’m still waiting for a phone call from you asking to come work w/‘you. My offer always stands. You, my man, started smithing the same time I did and I’ve learned sooo much. Thax to you I am a better smith all around as well as a better man. Hope all is well and as always, keep up the great work and awesome vids!!
🍀🕉⚒🕉🍀
Brett- 4-Leaf Clover Blacksmithing
This was a good way to start the day, actually. Thank You Chandler!! Great to see work in the new shop!
Love the blade Chandler! Way to keep with it in spite of the cracks! Keep up the great work!
This episode was fantastic. You had some issues and you rolled with the punches and that knife turned out exactly how it should have.
hey there Sir Chandler,. Good to see you, kinda like an old friend stopping by ,.. as always your ability to show how to work through the hurdles is what would make the Colonist proud ,. thanks
Great to see you back!
It's good to see you pounding on steel again! And I hope it makes you feel good to do it - I think that's very important for you. I'd be proud to have a kitchen knife hand-forged by you...
Great to have you back bud keep up the good work
Thanks for the video, chandler. Came at the perfect time.
nice knife Chandler!i love the ones without wooden handles.just a chunk of steel.so much less work.well done!
Best knife I have is a 12” butcher knife my dad made 75 years ago out of a handsaw.
Thanks for sharing
Great video. Awesome knife. Good to see you back.
Good to see you again I have had the same issues with old files
Old files can be full of micro fractures that expand during forging regardless of the annealing process. Chandler got unlucky with this one with 3 that were discovered. The issue is they are hardened without tempering then used as a tool which gets them abused with drops and such. Then once they are abandoned as a tool they become scrap which gives them even more abuse. Old files are great for reclaiming quality steel but it is a lottery if the file is worth reclaiming. I wouldn't use one that is clearly broken.
A good source of quality reclaimed steel is suspension parts from cars and trucks, not just leaf springs but tie rods/sway bars, torsion bars... any rod really including the one inside a shock or strut. The Torsion bars and rods inside shocks and struts are perfect for custom punches. Valve stems also make great punches too. All but the valve stems are good quality steel that has been tempered to spring steel so the abuse they took was taken in stride without producing microfractures. Valve stems are hardened but they don't take abuse that produces micro fractures.
Nice to see some forging Chandler. Welcome back.
Nice little knife! That steel had a mind of it's own!
Hey Chandler great video, good to see you, hoping your able to get more vids up and out. Looking forward to the next one, take'r easy and see you soon!
Thank you for the video and glad to see you post one I’ve been waiting
Welcome back. my dude! Good to see you in action again.
Nice to see you making videos again hope to see more
Ive looked at this video a lot of times. There is not much id do different maybe the handle a smidge longer. And cut a slot in the top of the purple heart rather than a hole for a neater fit up. Its such a beautiful blade.
Hi Chandler, nice to see you using that new wire brush instead of that lil ole on you had used for soooo long before. AND, great to see you again. . . . .as my wife says, "progress, not perfection". I have faith you'll find a way to cope, stay strong.
Love these vids
Glad to have some OSF to watch. I hope you are able to keep these vids coming
Hi Chandler nice to see you great video
Amazing hammer work
Good to see you bub. Keep up the awsome work brother.
Keep them coming mate.
Chandler it would be real nice to see you on forged in fire. You got some skills others should see. Since i found your channel i've watched you forged rusty tools into knives. rail road spikes. shop floor metal shavings among other things. Your relaxed attitude would serve you well under those conditions. You've even casually done the 3 hrs challenge. i dont think they could throw anything at you that you havent done before for fun. anyways just my thoughts. keep the videos coming. always glad to see one pop up :)
great video!
Awesome!
Good video, keep hammering.
Hey guy love it
You really seem to like that dog head style of hammer!
WHY? Do they handle better in forging or is there another reason?
I love watching your videos because they are real! When a mistake or something not planned happens we get to see just how you fo;;ow it through! I love it!
Missing your wisdom Chandler hope you return to the forge
Joia você é 10 abraço
Could the cracks have formed from hammering on such a hard steel on the low end of red?
Damn your anvil is clean .
That steel seems to have an excessive amount of carbon and no other alloy elements to increase the steel toughness, so it easily over-hardens when mechanically worked (which forms microscopic quenchings as the metal compresses and re-expands after being suddenly deformed -- cold-rolled steel, for example). Steel is an amazing material, but it is difficult to tell what it is really made of without special tests sometimes...
Nice. I prefer kitchen knives made like that with the integrated handle.
Wished u had time for more
I have been getting cracks like yours using modern files. No ideas as to why but have noticed that happening too. Usually when I got the steel to hot and not when working it to cold. It makes no sense but that is what I got. Would be great to know why.
Anneal more
Yes that may be the prob. I only normalized each stack once in prep for forge welding. Perhaps the steel is still brittle even after that. Will have to give that a go.
I think Alec Steele kinda explained your issue when he made a video for the forged in fire challenge out of a bearing. Sometimes you can heat the material too much.
Yes could be John but why would over heating cause the cracks. Any ideas in regards to the metallurgical reasons behind it. Would help in avoiding the same issue next time! I remember seeing that vid and even asking Alec on it but he prob did not see my comment.
So if I remember correctly certain steels will lose their carbon content when over heated. Also the grain structures can grow larger making the material brittle. Alec said he used 52100 steel for that knife and 52100 has the issue of crystal growth when over heated, but I think it can be managed through heat treating and hardening the steel. How ever that is what causes more of the carbon to be lost. I really can not be certain if this is the actual cause though. Chandler said it was a used file and chances are the crack were there before he ever heated the material. Chances are that is what really happened, but I also think it was grain growth. Since it fractured when he tried to punch the hole in it.
Hey dude. Haven’t seen you in a while.
Just out of curiosity, how much would you charge for a hunting knife that has the hammered steel effect on the blade and an antler handle?
Question, Chandler. When you got that crack in the blade, could you,... heat the blade to yellow in the forge, then TIG the crack to weld it back together WITHOUT adding welding rod? I don't know, so I ask. Jon
You could but it'll always be a weak spot, i've used high carbon rods on knives and it works but it's never quite the same... If you tig weld it you'd end up with a low spot anyway that would need grinding and strictly speaking it would need forging again because it's technically cast steel after you weld it. It's not worth bothering with IMO
It looks like you might be working the steel too cold at the ends of your heats. Maybe its just a camera color issue.
You could have reformed the blade part back into the new handle and reformed the old handle into the new blade
What fuel do you use
When I made a knife I had a crack in the middle of the thing