Some forging advice please?

[Capt Quirk]

My stepson and I are thinking about doing some beginner forging, mostly a couple of knives to start. Since we are using whatever metal stock we can find, could somebody give us an idea of what to use for flux, and what to use to add carbon back to the metal?

And if you know of a source for low priced anvils, that would be great too.

[george hancox]

I would say if you are just beginning or just making knives you won't need flux but if you are going to make a hawke then borax is what you use.an anvil is not cheap they are very expensive and hard to find used,I use a railroad main rail for my anvil ar you can go toa junk yard and get a I beam and cement in the ground and use athick flat steel for anvil welded on top.I don't think you will be adding carbon back in for awhile.george

[Capt Quirk]

Hey George, that's a cool idea for an anvil. We'll give that a go.

As for welding and carbon, the first project piece is a machete. The steel we are using, was scavenged from a Craftsman grass catcher box for a riding mower. it was about 4' long, and perfectly shaped already. All we had to do was fold it over, and that is where the welding comes in. Right now we have a really long pair of tweezers, until we can join the two sides. It isn't the best steel either, which is why I asked about adding carbon. We want it to have a little harder blade, so it won't bend as easy. Think it might work out?

[bg7m]

I don't think you are going to need any flux unless you are making damascus. If you start with medium to high carbon steel and forge between 1500-1800 degrees, you shouldn't loose any carbon. You can ruin your steel by heating it too hot and hitting it too hard with too big a hammer. A large file should be about a .9 percent carbon. Leaf spring from an auto should be about .6 carbon. Either of these should make a fine knife if worked correctly. Hope this helps.

[Bitteroot]

If you're gonna use a railroad rail.... I suggest a very large magnet on the side...or something to deaden the ring.... it is deafening, much more so than a regular anvil.

[Capt Quirk]

I don't think you are going to need any flux unless you are making damascus.

I think we are a long ways off from damascus, but that would be a nice skill to master. I had a friend back in Florida that was doing some nice stuff, and getting nice patterns too. His real talent was making folded steel katanas with a real hamen line. I should have spent more time at his shop.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll put them to good use.