What is Bladesmithing?

Bladesmithing is the craft of forging metal into functional and beautiful blades, be they knives, swords, or other edged tools.

Bladesmithing is a blend of artistry and engineering, requiring a good understanding of metallurgy, heat treatment processes, and hammering techniques. Beyond simply shaping the metal, the bladesmith will need to consider the intended purpose of the blade, designing its form and properties to give the best performance for the user. This can involve a single type of steel or carefully forge-welded layers of different types of steel. Temperature control throughout the forging process is vital, and then skillfully manipulating the hot steel to create specific blade shapes and sizes. Forging the shape improves the steel structure, minimises waste and also reduces time on the grinder.

Bladesmithing is not a quick process; it is deliberate and sometimes arduous , demanding both physical strength and a whole lot patience! (especially in the beginning!)

General Process

  • Steel – select a suitable steel to work with
  • Heat – heat the steel in the forge to a high enough temperature
  • Hammer – shape the steel with hammer blows to form the point, rough bevels, including a tang or handle section but leaving on some mass for quenching.
  • Quench – use an oil, water or air (each steel is different so choose the right method) to harden the steel
  • Temper – heating the blade to a lower temperature to reduce brittleness and internal stresses
  • Grind – into final shape
  • Handle – add the bolster and a handle using G10, Micarta, wood or other material suitable for the job. These can be pinned or glued, usually both
  • Sharpen – get on that wicked edge
  • Sheath – create a safe way to carry or store the blade

Skills

The skills required for bladesmithing are varied and numerous. Both physical ability and technical knowledge come into it – a lot of which is only gained by experience (and patience!).

You’ll need to be able to:

  • wield a hammer, sometimes for long periods
  • work with precision
  • keep an eye on safety and the health implications of what you are doing
  • build your knowledge of steels, what temperature they quench at, or at what point to do so, and how to temper the blades once quenched

There are also a few hammering techniques to learn, such as drawing out, upsetting, and shaping, and you must have an eye for design and aesthetics, able to envision the finished product within the raw materials – again, experience is your greatest teacher. Attention to detail is crucial, as even small errors in the process can lead to blade that ends up in the scrap bin, or a smaller knife!
I have found that at every step, there is a chance of ruin! As you learn, the details you keep track of get smaller and more numerous.

Here’s Jason Knight’s view of what you need to bladesmith…

Equipment

The machinery in a bladesmith’s workshop is gathered over time and while individual to the smith, there are some staples you’ll need:

  • Forge – a forge, traditionally fueled by coal or propane, is the heart of the operation, providing the heat necessary to work the metal.
  • Anvil – often a heavy block of steel, serves as a hard working surface for hammering and shaping hot metal. Can be a true anvil, a section or railway track or block of steel.
  • Hammers – various shapes and sizes are required for different aspects of forging.
  • Tongs – to hold the hot steel while you give it shape. You’ll need more than one.
  • Belt-grinder – remove steel fast. A belt-grinder will allow you to harden your blade first, and then grind the final bevels.
  • Heat-treating oven – for precisely controlling the hardening and tempering processes if you don’t want to use your forge.
  • Vice – securely hold your blade while you shape with hand tools. It can also be helpful in clamping your blade just after quenching to reduce warpage.
  • Files – for cleaning up and final shaping.
  • Power hammer – great for creating pattern welded or damascus steel. Allows you to squeeze together the layers at welding temperatures, to create a solid billet.
  • PPE – Safety glasses, respirator, gloves, apron, decent leather boots or shoes.
See Equipment

Learning bladesmithing

Courses

The best way to learn is to attend a course. I have done a few over the years at Cold Hanworth Forge when it was still around. Not sure if it’s still going.

Make your own – Brennan Knives – I also did a course with Patrick Joseph at Brennan Knives in Ireland which was well worth the travel.

For more courses, see some of the following links:

Craft Courses

Books

Books are a great way to learn as they point out the steps and act as a reference for heat treatment and more. Here are some of the books I’ve read and have in my collection: