EDU: How to forge your own Katana.

**bricco** · Posted On: 11/29/2006 2:31pm

Nema problema. Just be careful with the flux, when it hits your skin is

1) sticky as molasses
2) as hot as the steel rod (read: third degree burns)
3) probably poisonous, surely not healty

**Dirty Rooster** · Posted On: 11/30/2006 3:43pm

OK let me rephrase this.

Originally Posted by DarkOwen

I'm using an old fashioned mud forge with a concave top.

What is that?
Please post a picture.

And what do you want to do with hot steel? (Not a silly question)

**DarkOwen** · Posted On: 11/30/2006 5:15pm

OK thanks for your advices!!

And about the picture, well that won't be ez, since my camera is broken but I did a grotesque draw so you can get an idea.
I am wondering what do you need to "template" (I think that's the word) the iron, so it became more resistant than normal iron, can u guys lend me a hand again? Thx in advance. Cheers!

Mud Forge.... or something like it...

**ar549** · Posted On: 11/30/2006 10:28pm

Originally Posted by DarkOwen

OK thanks for your advices!!

And about the picture, well that won't be ez, since my camera is broken but I did a grotesque draw so you can get an idea.
I am wondering what do you need to "template" (I think that's the word) the iron, so it became more resistant than normal iron, can u guys lend me a hand again? Thx in advance. Cheers!

Mud Forge.... or something like it...

According to your drawing your forced air is not in the correct place. It should be under the fire. Most forges do not have a roof as to let the heat go straight up, If you pump air through the pipe the way your picture is set all the heat will be directed at you and your work opening will be blowing sparks at you.

In conclusion your forge looks like a pizza oven, but Im glad to see your working on something and you get an A for effort. Below is a link to a charcoal forge that should give you some ideas on how to get more heat. Im guessing you are forcing air through the pipe sticking out, Oxygen is fuel, the more oxygen you force in the hotter your fire will get.

http://64.176.180.203/washtubforge.htm

**Dirty Rooster** · Posted On: 12/01/2006 4:44pm

Hey Dark Owen that'd be excellent for pizzas,
or traditional bread.

Take this advice ;

GO AND ASK FOR A SMALL LESSON AT A SMITHY.

Most real smiths are good people, and helpful.
You will see a real smithy and how it works.
Later you will rwealise how silly this sounds ;

Originally Posted by DarkOwen

I am wondering what do you need to "template" (I think that's the word) the iron, so it became more resistant than normal iron, ...

But that's a good thing.

**money** · Posted On: 12/01/2006 4:53pm

My Kenjutsu sensei makes knives and the occasional sword, he has some nice picture-heavy info on his site about how he does it :

http://home.comcast.net/~jeshern/shop.htm

**DarkOwen** · Posted On: 12/01/2006 7:19pm

Thx for your help and advices again. Now I see how silly my Idea is...., anyway I don't know any "smithy", so I can't ask them. I'm just an ordinary guy, with NO clue about working metals, who tried to do some "forge" the old way. But guys you have no idea how stupid I feel now, since I ended up building a "pizza or bread oven"... I'll have to tear that down and start all over again. Thx again. and Later

**ar549** · Posted On: 12/01/2006 7:32pm

Originally Posted by DarkOwen

Thx for your help and advices again. Now I see how silly my Idea is...., anyway I don't know any "smithy", so I can't ask them. I'm just an ordinary guy, with NO clue about working metals, who tried to do some "forge" the old way. But guys you have no idea how stupid I feel now, since I ended up building a "pizza or bread oven"... I'll have to tear that down and start all over again. Thx again. and Later

Dont worry about it, You get a A for effert anyway, Ill give you this website so you can get started, be sure and post pictures of some work and ill try to do the same, Pizza ovens are cool to you just need some bricks to make the bottem flat. Good luck

http://p222.ezboard.com/bprimalfires

**DarkOwen** · Posted On: 12/04/2006 6:57pm

Thx again, that link is awesome, now I think I'm going the good way :happy:

**bricco** · Posted On: 12/05/2006 6:04am

Originally Posted by noto

My Kenjutsu sensei makes knives and the occasional sword, he has some nice picture-heavy info on his site about how he does it :

http://home.comcast.net/~jeshern/shop.htm

There's nothing like making a blade if you want to learn how to use them: your sensei seems quite capable, he must be a great teacher.