"Outstanding! Thanks for sharing the step by step pics. Very cool."
iKnife Collector
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KnifeMaker
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James McClendon
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- United States
- KnifeMaker
- Blog Posts (2)
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James McClendon's Groups
James McClendon's Discussions
Ball Bearing becomes a Bowie.
Started this discussion. Last reply by Andy Larrison on Monday. 1 Reply 1 Like
A while back a gentleman sent me a large ball bearing wanting a Bowie forged from it. I started out by welding a little piece of rebar on the bearing to give something to hold on to while it was…Continue
G&H Barnett Bowies
Started Dec 17, 2023 0 Replies 0 Likes
In 1863 G&H Barnett Black Diamond File works started. They were in business until Nicholson bought the company in 1907 changing the name to "Black Diamond". These Bowie was made from a large…Continue
Cable From Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jan Carter Nov 9, 2023. 6 Replies 3 Likes
A while back I was commissioned to forge some knives from cable recovered from a decommissioned aircraft carrier that was being scrapped. The cable was 1/2" in diameter and once forged into a square…Continue
Using Old Files for Knives
Started this discussion. Last reply by James McClendon Aug 7, 2023. 14 Replies 0 Likes
Old files can make wonderful knives. Many of these tools were made from proprietary alloys that would today be considered boutique specialty knife alloys like Japanese White Paper steel. If executed…Continue
James McClendon's Page
Latest Activity
KnifeMakerJames McClendon posted a discussion
Ball Bearing becomes a Bowie.
A while back a gentleman sent me a large ball bearing wanting a Bowie forged from it. I started out by welding a little piece of rebar on the bearing to give something to hold on to while it was being forged.The next step was to forge the bearing into a flat bar. I used a forging press for this as 52100 steel is quite stubborn under a hammer.…See More
"Very nice and inter4sting"
KnifeMakerAndy Larrison commented on James McClendon's blog post A BLADESMITHS SHOP
"Not a black smith "forge"....but a drop forge shop....If it hadn't been for blacksmithing throughout time we wouldn't be where we are today in modern industrial forging.
And you are correct.....you can never have enough tongs."
"Thanks James for sharing this - it's a great yet simple tutorial for the likes of me, and those like me. A great tour of your kit as well...particularly your anvils.
I have some basic knowledge of what makes a bladesmith shop beyond what is…"
"We got a dusting also but boy are we sitting in some cold! The shop is downstairs and so is the wood stove so this is the time of year when it is most likely the shop gets a full cleaning. Shop is too small to have a press but I would love to…"
KnifeMakerJames McClendon posted a blog post
A BLADESMITHS SHOP
We got snowed in with a dusting of snow and I thought I'd share the tools in a blade smiths shop. Certainly, this isn't every tool and they can vary from shop to shop with what the smith needs to make their style of knife.The king of the shop is the Anvil. The most common style, and the one most think of when they hear "anvil" is the London Pattern which began in the late 1700's, sometimes those early ones are referred to as a "colonial". By the mid 1800's the London Pattern anvil had been…See More
KnifeMakerJames McClendon posted a discussion
G&H Barnett Bowies
In 1863 G&H Barnett Black Diamond File works started. They were in business until Nicholson bought the company in 1907 changing the name to "Black Diamond". These Bowie was made from a large G&H Barnett. It was ground hard to retain the original heat treat, then tempered and given a soft back draw to bring the hardness down and toughen the blade. A handle of highly figured Buckeye burl was mounted on a bolt through tang with the files original stamped tang as the pommel.…See More
"This is fantastic!"
KnifeMakerJames McClendon replied to James McClendon's discussion Cable From Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier
"That anvil is a 200lb Fisher made in 1941. It was military surplus. My main, and favorite anvil."
KnifeMakerJames McClendon replied to James McClendon's discussion Cable From Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier
"It was 15n20. I could have done a coffee etch and made the 15n20 really pop but that would have muted the pattern in the cable."
"Good looking knives!
What material did you use between the cable and the file?
Good looking anvil too. :)"
KnifeMakerJames McClendon replied to James McClendon's discussion Cable From Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier
"Thank you!"
"Oh wow - well done! What a great legacy, and what beautiful pieces. Thank you for sharing - "
KnifeMakerJames McClendon posted a discussion
Cable From Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier
A while back I was commissioned to forge some knives from cable recovered from a decommissioned aircraft carrier that was being scrapped. The cable was 1/2" in diameter and once forged into a square bar it was folded back on itself. The first test knife didn't go so well, cable suffers from decarbonization at weld up anyway and that is magnified from small wires. The cable itself seemed lower in carbon than standard extra IPS and the first test knife wouldn't harden enough for a knife. It…See More
KnifeMakerJames McClendon replied to James McClendon's discussion Using Old Files for Knives
"The Heller brand has been around 100 years. Like many of these the brand has changed hands several time. I'd assume it's of the same vintage as the others (1950-1970). I don't use them much but they do make a…"
Profile Information
- Profile
- KnifeMaker
- How did you hear about iKnifeCollector?
- Internet
- Do you currently subscribe to any knife publication (offline)
- Yes
- How long have you collected knives?
- 16- 20 years
- Favorite Kind of Knives
- Bowie
- About Me
- Bladesmith specializing on Bowie’s and hunters with a story.
- Interests
- History and metallurgy.
- Other Hobbies
- Outdoors.
James McClendon's Photos
James McClendon's Blog
A BLADESMITHS SHOP
Posted on January 16, 2024 at 13:08 4 Comments 3 Likes
We got snowed in with a dusting of snow and I thought I'd share the tools in a blade smiths shop. Certainly, this isn't every tool and they can vary from shop to shop with what the smith needs to make their style of knife.
The king of the shop is the Anvil. The most common style, and the one most think of when they hear "anvil" is the London Pattern which began in the late 1700's, sometimes those early ones are referred to as a "colonial". By the mid 1800's the London Pattern anvil…
ContinueCable Damascus, The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Forging Wire Rope Into A Blade
Posted on June 29, 2023 at 18:39 2 Comments 4 Likes
Many years ago when I first got into knife making one of the first books I got mentioned forging crane cable into a blade. I found that fascinated and wanted to try it. At that time there wasn't a lot of information on the subject. Here are some things I learned.
Steel rope, or as I like to call it "crane cable" can be divided into 2 steel families. The first is stainless, these cables are either 200 or 300 grade austenitic stainless. This isn't a grade that is suitable for…
ContinueComment Wall (3 comments)
- At 19:06 on August 4, 2023,
Ellis H. Roberson said…
Hey James.. Treat. We keep in touch
- At 19:00 on July 5, 2023,
Jan Carter said…
The 5 top things to do when you join iKnifeCollector!
Navigating iKnifeCollector.com
Best Photo upload size? 640x480
and join us in the chatroom if you have any questions or just want to chat
- At 20:09 on June 26, 2023,
J.J. Smith III said…
Welcome aboard, James.
Good to have you here at iKC.
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