#thepxsmith

Textures from around the shop.
1) forge scale buildip on my press
2) forge scale buildup on my anvil
3) anvil stump
4) anvil stamp
5) portable quench tube
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #texture #shoptexture #closeups (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMuDz8tjE6V/?igshid=126ddd8xemwp7

Spiderweb Ring in Silver
Jorrie joined me in the shop to make a silver spider web ring with her. The basic steps are:
1) cut out your silver to the ring circumference you need
2) clean the edges up
3) stamp in shapes (we had to first forge/grind/heat-treat the stamp)
4) grind back to shape
5) fold over the ends to a good connection
6) use silver solder to secore ring
7) pickle it
8) sand a buff the inside & outside
9) show it off!
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #spiderman #sperwebs #spider #ring #silverring #jewlery #crafting #jewlerymaking #daddydaughter (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMrh0FSjvO6/?igshid=136800twqaib8

Forging progression of a chefs knife. I like to say, “It looks like shit until it doesn’t”. I hear so much frustration from so many beginner smiths because after a heat or two their metal looks gnarly and nothing like the knife they want to forge. Learning to embrace the funky shapes that are necessary to get the final desired shape is a skill of its own. It’s not unlike growth in our daily lives. We often go through challenging and messy time periods and having the foresight and trust to navigate through them to the otherside makes those times easier to swallow.
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Happy forging!
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston
#forgedinfire #forgingisfun #blacksmith #lifelessons #shoplessons #learningaswego #forgetherapy (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMpNPIdjOZN/?igshid=k0w8fu3xn5gt

On deck: testing a new pattern for a little something with @waterjetknives (follow them to see when it drops). I’ve got some ¼" 1095 paired with white snakeskin juma (made by @elforyn.de and procured through @makermaterialsupply ) and the ³/¹⁶" AEB-H stainless will get the cyan juma scales.
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These should be pretty fun to crank out. The question is, should I taper the tang on the thicker blade? - Consider I am leaving a window smasher as the butt…
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #knifeordeath #forgedinfire #knifemaking #knifedesigns #waterjet #waterjetknives #juma #cyan #steel #futureknives #plans (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMhfeTVD1Fs/?igshid=pqjubf5nm4wm

Finished up this “work along with me” knife session today out at @bavarianblacksmithexp
This knife is inspired by a dao knife. Outfitted with some @forrester_woods ancient bog oak and protected with my favorite @axe_wax
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It’s a lovely knife and it was an enjoyable process with Cam. He did a great job today. He learned the basics of setting a hollow grind and keeping the wheel in the groove as you work up the grits.
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The next step in the process will be creating the sheath and I am looking forward to that process!
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#joshaweston #thepxsmith #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #knifeclass #knifemaking #knifecommunitiy #dao (at Frankenmuth River Place Shops)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMdReGYDX5v/?igshid=147o8lqjb22aw

Forged copper arm torc. I just love the magical warm glow of forged copper.
This was forged to shape and detail stamped using chisels, no dremel. I prefer the look of stamped in runes to rotary carvings.
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There was very minimal grinding - just a lite grit to soften some of the edges and a quick run on the buffing wheel to get some of the high spots to pop.
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My favorite thing about this one might just be the triangle stamping along the outer edge. If you look carefully you can see where it subtly pushed out the edges in little bulges. They were then cleaned up with the flat side of a small ball pein hammer.
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Fun to forge and fun to wear!
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #coppersmith #copper #viking #dragon #runes #forgedinfire #forged #forgingisfun #blacksmith #armtorc
(at Frankenmuth River Place Shops)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMa1BxuDGDI/?igshid=1h3ngeybk6ev5

Throwing sparks all day with the crew at @bavarianblacksmithexp (the shop at @riverplaceshops
in @frankenmuth where you can forge your own knives).
Photo: @deaconstratton - the man
Belts: @red.label.abrasives
Grinder: @shopfoxtools
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#joshaweston #thepxsmith #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #grinding #knifemaker #knifemaking #forgeyourown #sparks
(at Frankenmuth River Place Shops)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMYFADejL0N/?igshid=106rkdx2l1mv7

I want to take a minute to talk about equipment. This piece of equipment, hands down, has increased the quality of my work more than other equipment I have. It allows me to get exact temperatures in my heat treating and run programmed normalizing and thermocycling. I never have to wonder if my blades “got hard” or worry about warpage. In roughly 3 years I have only had 2 minor warps (I believe primarily due to an inbalance of wrought iron on the sides).
These kilns heat up quickly (I run 220) and can also ramp down to hold an accurate temper cycle.
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When it comes down to it, if you don’t nail the heat treat than your primary function will be off, no matter how nicely you finish that blade. This kiln gets you to pro resulrs without the stress.
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I am not sponsored by @jenkenkilns but I trust this product. I use this product regularly and I love this product. If you want to up your game consider one of these Vertical Air Baths.
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#joshaweston #thepxsmith #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #jenkenkilns #verticalairbath #kilnenvy #getvertical #heattreat #quench #knifemaking #knifecommunitiy #shoptalk #equipment #prograde #upgrade #upgradeyourkiln (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMSA_1FjW7s/?igshid=1xhr02b601s4y

This choppah/chef is waxed and ready for action!
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Steel: 1095/15N20 clad over 80CRV2 core from @nj_steelbaron
Grinder: @wuertzmachineworks #tw90grinder
Heat treat kiln: @jenkenkilns #verticalairbath
Belts: @red.label.abrasives
Handle: @forrester_woods
Leather: @tandyleather
Coated with @axe_wax
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #knifemaking #beautyshots #knifeporn #knifecommunitiy #saxoninspired (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMPp3NYjndm/?igshid=e9hq16w2jwh2

Here is a still shot for thise that just want to stare at her… I am actually digging that dramatic low layer organic pattern.
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Maybe today I will get some time to clean her up and get her peoperly etched and sharpened. My goal will be to only grind from the heel to the tip (maybe a little cleanup in the ring).
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #ringpommel #ringknife #celticsword #celt-ibero #germamic #damascus #sword #blacksmith #forged #resting (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMPJ0EDjtqu/?igshid=9m3oa1i5r5h9

She has survived heat treat and is looking wonderful as ever! Very happy about the improvements I was able to make on forging this one. It’s much closer to where I want it to be. A little more girth between the knob and the blade on the next one and I will be happy.
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #kinfeordeath #blacksmith #quench #handmade #celtibero #germanic #oldworld #damascus #historicalknives #knifecommunitiy (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMOJvW0jBFJ/?igshid=1xwcqx2ewxrt7

Available! - this beautiful snakeskin juma handled knife could be yours. It’s got a surprisingly comfortable handle that feels even better than it looks. 1095 with a differential heat treat. DM if interested.
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#joshaweston #thepxsmith #knifesketch #knifecommunitiy #ForgedinFire #sharp #edcknife (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMM1xsCjo4N/?igshid=159o1yuawb61c

It was an incredibly cold day, or maybe we should have put the long underwear on, but we managed to get through a knife forging class from bar stock to a hardened dao knife blade. Handle round will come eventually.
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I’ve been working through some teaching methods before these classes officially get added to the options at @bavarianblacksmithexp keep and eye out over there if you are eager to learn.
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #forgingisfun #frankenmuth #puremichigan #hotwork #blacksmith #forgeyourown (at Frankenmuth River Place Shops)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CL6qYP-jmqU/?igshid=z4cgu752bp2k

Took a few minutes today and dusted off my shamrock forging skills… I felt really rusty. I followed the same process that @cloverdaleforge illustrated awhile back. It’s a fun little project and perfect for the onset of March.
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedsteel #forgingisfun #clover #shamrock #bottleopener #irish
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Photo by: @silvernaile_snapshots
The crew at @bavarianblacksmithexp will be making these this month - get em while you can! (at Frankenmuth River Place Shops)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CL2hbv3jfHy/?igshid=1uz0lygf31v2c

Full day class with an inspiring man. He’s 68 and picking up a new hobby. I ran him through the ropes and directed him through the steps of forging a long chefs knife. He was incredibly teachable and responded well to the large amount of information thrown at him in one session. I can only hope that when I am 68 that I can still be as receptive to new information and ideas as he was.
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In the end he had a beautiful hand forged 1095 and I learned that you can teach an old dog new tricks so long as we are open to the old Biblical addage, “As iron sharpens iron, so do we sharpen each other.”
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #knifemaking #knifenut #ironsharpensiron #learning #newskills #forging #forgingisfun #blacksmith
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Steel: 1095 from @nj_steelbaron
Handle: Koa from @forrester_woods
Grinder: @wuertzmachineworks
Protected with @axe_wax (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLt0-_mj6j0/?igshid=17j56v7iqlp5m

I finished up this chefs knife for Josephine. I experimented with a hollow grind on the right side of the knife and a flat grind on the left. It’s on the small side for me but perfect for a 10 year old that loves to cook! I also left enough room in the handle for her to grow in to. I hope she gets a lifetime of enjoyment and wonderful meals out of this knife. Perhaps one day, after I am gone, she will still be cooking with this knife and rember the week we spent in the garage making this knife together. I hope that makes her smile.
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #daddydaughter #family #herloom #chefsknife #littlechef #sharp #purple #integral
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Handle material: @bowyerguy85
Protected with: @axe_wax
Steel: 1084/15N20 from @nj_steelbaron
Ground on a @wuertzmachineworks #tw-903 (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLmLk7IDbGu/?igshid=khn5gb6soavt

These are the blades that cycle through my head on repeat. The keep me curious about their past and how they could also have a future. There is some sort of magic in the ring. The balance and comfort of a seemingly awkward grip is baffling. To make a perfectly fitting version, to my hand, would be a dream come true. Until then, that is my dream.
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#celtibero #germanic #warknife
#thepxsmith #joshaweston #history #dreams #shortsword #drawing #sketch #iberian #historicalknives
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The most beautiful existing version of this blade type can be seen at the museaum at @rothenburgobdertauber @rothenburgtourism (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUNfRBDRPx/?igshid=14hmrt0vcuwir

#odin #hugninnandmuninn #the3norns #3norns #viking #sword #conceptart #sketch #sketchbook #pastpresentfuture #sketchtoreality #joshaweston #thepxsmith #vikings (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CK_wVHdDVTd/?igshid=nmdi9asy7h99

The glow of the forge is an intoxicating thing. The warmth keeps bringing me back for more. With a little heat and some pressure from a small hammer great things can be made.
Keep those fires lit.
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #forgingisfun #blacksmith #anvil #hot #hotwork #fire (at Frankenmuth River Place Shops)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CK350ZkDy2U/?igshid=1u0g8uehnz8p8

I really enjoyed making this lovely chopper inspired knife. Sometimes the quick scribblings of soapstone lead to some fantastic pieces. Things I find enjoyable about this one:
1) organic flowing patterns make me happy and I enjoy the slice of a mono-steel edge, so I got the best of each world by sandwiching some 80CRV2 in the middle of 280 layers of 15N20/1095
2) This handle wood from @forrester_woods made a great compliment to the steel pattern with bonus spots of orange highlights that almost makes it look like nature’s paisley… so lovely and feels right at home with 3/32 copper pins and copper liners.
3) the geometry almost comes to a 0 grind. It’s just the tiniest bevel and it cuts so well!
4) It’s got a comfortable fit in the hand and balances nicely just north of the index finger. The @maumasifirearts inspired curled heel aids in the feeling that this knife is connected right to your hand
5) The shape is curvy with nicely flowing lines and that blade height and thick spine allow for that thin edge to be properly supported in the heavy cuts
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
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#thepxsmith #joshaweston #forgedinfire #knifeordeath #knifenut #knifemaking #makercommunity #productreview #critique #happythoughts #artreview #knifereview #knifeporn #knivesinnature
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Forged in a @diamondbackironworks knifemaker II 2 burner
Ground on a @wuertzmachineworks TW-90
with @red.label.abrasives (at Pixel Smith - Josh A. Weston)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKmK8LhjiR5/?igshid=q96parfs43p4