Knives, axes and pistols

[hondo1892]

Here are some of my current projects. Been working at the forge the past week and I have been working on this set of pistols for some time now. Before this virus hit I was babysitting my new grandson. Now my daughter is laid off so I have more time to work on my projects. The pistols aren't exact copies but made after an original pistol by Elisha Bull from Tennessee. Most of the mounts on the pistol are sterling silver which I have found to be harder to work than brass or steel. It work hardens much faster than brass and likes to crack. So I have to anneal often when making the entry pipes.

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[4t5]

Looks good, what is your steel source?

[Marvin S]

Them pistols are looking good. I think that’s going to be my next muzzle loader project.

[hondo1892]

Axes are wrought iron with 1084 steel for the cutting edge. Knives are 1084 also.

Pistols are a pain to work on. They are hard to hold in vise jaws where they are smaller than a rifle. I won't make another one for quite awhile unless someone dangles a large roll of green in front of me.

[Grizz]

That looks really good. I am a big fan of 1084. Might be the easiest steel to heat treat well.

Do you forge with coal to weld the steel bits to the axes? I don't have enough heat to forge iron, it splinters. I can weld carbon steels tho, might put a steel bit in a mild steel ax head, folded style.

I love the pistols.. I hope some day to have a flint lock snubbie, mainly for use as a fire starter.

thanks for posting your projects

[octagon]

Cool. Like the axes and especially the blade profile of the top knife . My vice is an instrument makers vice where both jaws swivel 360 °. Works well on objects with non parallel or irregular sides, surprising that more gun guys dont use em.

[hondo1892]

Grizz I do use coal but charcoal can be used also to weld iron. The better grades of iron doesn't delaminate as bad as the lower grades.
I have the little belt axe filed and a handle made up for it. The smaller knife blade got some filing done on it and a moose antler handle fitted to it also.

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[piller]

I like the knife. It should be handy for skinning and making feather sticks as well as most slicing chores. Not every knife needs to be big enough for batoning work or chopping.

[Grizz]

Thanks! I use high quality mesquite lump charcoal, so I can work with iron, and welding bits into axes.... Your ax looks to be perfect to me, and the knife is my style also... I'd call it a trade knife, and that's a compliment I hope!

I haven't had enough free time to do much forging, but I have a box of projects, may be I will put up some photos. But'Cept it'd just highlight how lazy I am Grrrr...

or distracted perhaps ???

[gamekeeper]

I love the look of those pistols I once went hunting squirrels with a flintlock pistol, I only got one shot off and wasn't sure if I hit it or missed but when the smoke cloud cleared I could find no fur or blood so I concluded that I missed...
Love the axe too...