Dude you're the Bob Ross of knife making. Something about watching/listening to you forge relaxes me just like Mr.Ross. I look forward to your content, especially, after a long stressful day at work. Stay you! And keep up the amazing/beautiful work. By far my favorite forging channel on youtube
I appreciate the fact that you criticize your own mistakes and share those critiques with your viewers. It makes us much more aware of how really talented you are to see some of your other works that are truly wonderful. Thanks!
I absolutely love the pattern that came out on the blade. in my opinion irregularities are the coolest thing about organic-looking designs. the high contrast of the etching kind of makes the steel look transparent. amazing job all in all
You should totally livestream a build and get superchats. Great way to expand the channel, your business, and engage with your community. Just a thought.
Well, you’re definitely a better blade smith than a stand up comedian 😂😂😂. Quite a good knife really, enjoyed watching the whole process 👍 Regards from Down Under.
I almost passed on this video. Although I will say I’m glad I stayed till the end. Perfection is not always an option with trying new processes. Although it can end in quality, as per this blade. One of your best videos and knives. Keep up the great content!
Transparency, Yes, I'm a big fan. You sound a bit disappointed on the pattern, but what you created was true art. That pattern looks like a "Damascus-Marble" motif. That nickle really made that shine pop. Great job. You created a new look. Look at it as Tony Stark creating the new element.
Nicely done. Remember that the Japanese smiths who get that even core steel reveal have been doing these blades for years. They also usually use a convex grind instead of a full flat grind which is more forgiving in terms of core steel reveal.
For my taste I take that uneven dream landscape of steel ANY DAY before a perfectly evenly forged one. This is awesome, seriously! Looks ver VERY tasteful and noble to me. Loving it!
The pattern really grows on you the more you look at it. I would have absolutely no issue at all owning a knife like that. Even though it didn't come out like you envisioned, it really is a very nice knife. Well done, sir.
12:45 sorry but I think the san-Mai came out great. I love the inconsistency in the patterning. As a woodworker/turner, the defects and flaws in timber gives it individuality and uniqueness. That’s what you have there. The uneven san mai doesn’t affect the knifes functionality but it gives it a ‘one of a kind’ quality that can’t really be reproduced.
I agree with the last commenter Elijah, you are being too hard on yourself. Been following your channel for a really long time and watching the progression of your work has been inspirational. As a fellow knife artist I do get it though. We get this idea and can visualize the outcome before we even get started. Sometimes the end result does not quite match the vision. It is a beautiful piece of work and someone will be blessed to add it to their collection. Keep it up… love your videos and humble nature. Be blessed and continue being a blessing to others!
The blade speaks for itself, lovingly! I really appreciate your after-action report; you covered some aspects of pattern steel forging that are not discussed enough IMO. I always try to remember to count each blow on each side of the billet and match them. I try . . . and often fail. Such is the nature of my skill level at this point.
Excellent video. Loved the process analysis. Its always great to hear about what specifically worked and what didn't, because to my layman's eyes it all looks great.
The balance of the knife could be adjusted by putting some inserts into the handle at the end (metal, stone),, or adding a bolt-on end. 🧐 I have enjoyed the voice over and the analysis, and really like the way the blade turned, although unintended. As a customer, I'd most likely choose this knife over its future improved version. Happy holidays! 🍿
The blade looks like it had some sort of fungus growing in it. Realy cool looking. I feel that your beating yourself up hear. This is a real unique pattern. I haven't seen anything like this before. Your mistakes are what made this knife so cool. I want it.
These videos where you describe what youre doing are far more enjoyable to watch and I feel like I learn more watching this. By the way this is a really cool execution of a cool idea
Adding review of the different areas of the project is one of the most important things you can do to grow as a craftsman and businessman. Your evolution has been impressive!
I would say happy accident. I really like the it turned out. I get what u wanted, but really like it the way it is. U could never make that look twice. Love it
Cocobolo is a beautiful wood. I had a bass made with it. There’s another good hardly used super hard wood for scales or handles it’s called lignum vitae. Really beautiful and durable stuff.
It kind of looks like a metal with Smokey acrylic kind of blade. I think it looks very cool and even though it didn't turn out the way you pictured it I think it is a very unique blade.
I agree on that the cladding would have looked better with a lower layer count. Many times it's much better to avoid the temptation to produce the higher layer count.
That's a very cool blade. It looks like cloudy, near transparent centre, and the divider between pattern and steel middle looks like 3D effect on it. The only I hate about the video, is the camera at the end review session. where you used the wide angle, nearly fish-eyed lens made it looks like the blade is bent and perhaps shifting some patterns too, I think.
I really appreciate your critique. I think it taught more than most “how to” videos generally do for those that are trying to up their game. Thank you!
I feel the pattern is great and you should not feel that falls in the category of " could of done better" I feel the unique pattern is the soul of the blade
The pattern reminds me of a nebula far out in the universe somewhere. Thank you for the informative narration. I looked to see if it was listed on your website and couldn't find it. I'm sure it sold before this video even came out. It's a showstopper.
I understand how it didn't turn out like you were expecting but... That's a cool knife! Stop being so hard on yourself, it's fantastic work. Have a great Christmas ⛄
This was probably my favorite build so far. I love the way that blade turned out! Glad to see your new dies are working good on your power hammer. Merry Christmas!
I actually really like the variation in the cladding cover of the core. I feel like it leans further into the artistic side of things rather perfect uniformity.
For some reason the core steel looks translucent in the video. Almost looks like ivory, might be the settings on my phone. Awesome effect. Dude, that blade shimmers .
My first thought was it looked like the Pillars of Creation of the Carina Nebula. Then it started to look like a glacier shoreline. Very cool build despite your issues. I look forward to your second try
Nickel is a really handy metal in forging, especially when you're working with high alloys or stuff with a lot of chromium in it which doesn't always like to stick, a layer of Ni will more or less glue it together. I use it in San-Mai types of blades a fair bit, especially for the stainless cladding which is already hard enough, but a layer in there will take out a lot of the fudge-factor of maybe having something usable at the end of the day. It doesn't have the same plastic deformation you get from steels though, so when you see wider areas of Ni in your pattern welds its usually because it'll just squeeze out and around things sort of like if you had two cutting boards and put some dough in between them, press down and the dough will still be between the boards, but very thin + a lot out the sides. Where I've found it most useful is in something like mokume-gane with copper, bronze, brass etc base metals as it does tend to have the same level of deformation as those and a bit more predictable in how it all behaves. Just on my own observations on san-mai types of knives, you sort of want to get as close as you can to the final dimensions on that final forge weld, which means long, thin billets and then just going in by hand on the final setting with the hammer. So just a light pass or two on the forging and then sort of pick a side you'd like to have a bit more character on in terms of the core-steel exposure to the cladding coverage. Think there's still a bit of a luck factor some days! Some just don't work out how you intend
Awesome pattern. Sometimes by not doing it right, you end up with something better. It looks like a coast line, and the contrast between the steels looks almost 3 dimensional. I would love to see what you can do if you do this on purpose and build on the concept. oh.. and also. great work with the video editing. talking about what you tried to do, and how it came out, really takes this "genre" of videos up a notch.
The pattern is actually quite attractive and unique. As you noted, I'm sure it will stand up to its intended purpose with no trouble. Understand it falls short of what you were aiming for, but a nice piece of work nonetheless that I think anyone would be proud to have in their kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
First off you do incredible work. I’m curious how many days start to finish. Really enjoyed your contacts God bless enjoying the season with your family.
I think it turned out awesome!! You make some of the best knives I’ve seen. And am proud to say that I own one!!! I got a bull cutter from you and it has turned out to be a everyday carry knife for me. Keep up the great work!!
AAR is a term we dreaded as E4 and below, but as I progressed in rank I understood the value in it for future missions…I may start doing that when I teach bladesmithing in my shop 🤔 great content brotha! 🔪❤️🇺🇸
Any creator can pick out the flaws, but the rest of us can appreciate the creation just the way it is. It's different and I like it.
Dude you're the Bob Ross of knife making. Something about watching/listening to you forge relaxes me just like Mr.Ross. I look forward to your content, especially, after a long stressful day at work. Stay you! And keep up the amazing/beautiful work. By far my favorite forging channel on youtube
Thanks a bunch!
THIS
I concure
I appreciate the fact that you criticize your own mistakes and share those critiques with your viewers. It makes us much more aware of how really talented you are to see some of your other works that are truly wonderful. Thanks!
I could watch this all day. Just keep narrating and keep doing.
Thank you sir
I absolutely love the pattern that came out on the blade. in my opinion irregularities are the coolest thing about organic-looking designs. the high contrast of the etching kind of makes the steel look transparent. amazing job all in all
I agree. That pattern couldn’t have been better even if planned. It looks amazing as is.
You should totally livestream a build and get superchats. Great way to expand the channel, your business, and engage with your community. Just a thought.
Thanks for the idea, I will keep that in mind!
I am always amazed at the pattern!! My brain never understands how the pattern will look!!🤔😂😂 Awesome knife!!👍👍
I appreciate the explanation of what didn't go the way you had planned
honestly I love the irregularity of the patterns edge! I looks so much like a satellite view of a coast.
Well, you’re definitely a better blade smith than a stand up comedian 😂😂😂. Quite a good knife really, enjoyed watching the whole process 👍
Regards from Down Under.
It looks like surf breaking against the beach. It is quite beautiful! Accidental art is the best kind!
That is a beautiful pattern! Looks like a coastline with some islands dotting it!
Man, that steel was really moving for you putting the tip and bevel to it. Nice knife.
I almost passed on this video. Although I will say I’m glad I stayed till the end. Perfection is not always an option with trying new processes. Although it can end in quality, as per this blade.
One of your best videos and knives. Keep up the great content!
Thanks I appreciate it!!
Transparency, Yes, I'm a big fan. You sound a bit disappointed on the pattern, but what you created was true art. That pattern looks like a "Damascus-Marble" motif. That nickle really made that shine pop. Great job. You created a new look. Look at it as Tony Stark creating the new element.
Nicely done. Remember that the Japanese smiths who get that even core steel reveal have been doing these blades for years. They also usually use a convex grind instead of a full flat grind which is more forgiving in terms of core steel reveal.
For my taste I take that uneven dream landscape of steel ANY DAY before a perfectly evenly forged one. This is awesome, seriously! Looks ver VERY tasteful and noble to me. Loving it!
The pattern really grows on you the more you look at it. I would have absolutely no issue at all owning a knife like that. Even though it didn't come out like you envisioned, it really is a very nice knife. Well done, sir.
I like the pattern. It is a cool take on a traditional pattern.
that's amazing! the pattern is like a shore line on a beach. very beautiful blade
I think it’s worth every penny!!💪🏼❤️🔥🔥🔥 Happiest of Holidays to you and your family!!
🙏🏻❤️🌲👍🏻
it's like a ghost blade the difference between the 2 layers it almost makes the cutting edge look like glass! LOVE IT!
nice knife.....one of a kind.....that makes it worth more to ever purchased it....
The pattern is gorgeously hypnotic. Happy accidents!
Good to see you were wearing a mask while working the cocobolo. That stuff is like sanding ghost peppers.
12:45 sorry but I think the san-Mai came out great. I love the inconsistency in the patterning. As a woodworker/turner, the defects and flaws in timber gives it individuality and uniqueness. That’s what you have there. The uneven san mai doesn’t affect the knifes functionality but it gives it a ‘one of a kind’ quality that can’t really be reproduced.
I appreciate the indepth look at why what happened but I love the way it came out. Keep it up your doing great work.
I so enjoy watching your channel. I have watched a few others but find myself coming back to Fire Creek. Keep up the great content.
Thank you sir!
I agree with the last commenter Elijah, you are being too hard on yourself. Been following your channel for a really long time and watching the progression of your work has been inspirational. As a fellow knife artist I do get it though. We get this idea and can visualize the outcome before we even get started. Sometimes the end result does not quite match the vision. It is a beautiful piece of work and someone will be blessed to add it to their collection. Keep it up… love your videos and humble nature. Be blessed and continue being a blessing to others!
The blade speaks for itself, lovingly! I really appreciate your after-action report; you covered some aspects of pattern steel forging that are not discussed enough IMO. I always try to remember to count each blow on each side of the billet and match them. I try . . . and often fail. Such is the nature of my skill level at this point.
Thanks for watching!
That blade is mind blowing.
Even though the design didn't turn out how you want it looks really good. Almost like the high carbon steel was inset into the damascus
I understand your critic of the blade. Still a beautiful knife I would proudly use in my kitchen.
Beautiful blade! The pattern has this controlled chaos look to it that is as unique as it is cool
Excellent video.
Loved the process analysis.
Its always great to hear about what specifically worked and what didn't, because to my layman's eyes it all looks great.
The balance of the knife could be adjusted by putting some inserts into the handle at the end (metal, stone),, or adding a bolt-on end. 🧐
I have enjoyed the voice over and the analysis, and really like the way the blade turned, although unintended. As a customer, I'd most likely choose this knife over its future improved version.
Happy holidays! 🍿
That is an amazingly beautiful blade that is going to make someone very happy and proud to own
Amazing!!!
Treasure Map Knife
Regardless of your personal intentions the blade looks f@#$ing awesome
I especially like the 3d effect
The blade looks like it had some sort of fungus growing in it. Realy cool looking. I feel that your beating yourself up hear. This is a real unique pattern. I haven't seen anything like this before. Your mistakes are what made this knife so cool. I want it.
These videos where you describe what youre doing are far more enjoyable to watch and I feel like I learn more watching this. By the way this is a really cool execution of a cool idea
Adding review of the different areas of the project is one of the most important things you can do to grow as a craftsman and businessman. Your evolution has been impressive!
I would say happy accident. I really like the it turned out. I get what u wanted, but really like it the way it is. U could never make that look twice. Love it
It's like Bob Ross decided to start forging knives...!
Love the explanation at the end, with an honest discussion of lessons learned. Thank you.
i like the extra at the end !
Very nice and very precious work and I'm sure there's a lot of pride showing through him.
Cocobolo is a beautiful wood. I had a bass made with it. There’s another good hardly used super hard wood for scales or handles it’s called lignum vitae. Really beautiful and durable stuff.
It kind of looks like a metal with Smokey acrylic kind of blade. I think it looks very cool and even though it didn't turn out the way you pictured it I think it is a very unique blade.
I agree on that the cladding would have looked better with a lower layer count. Many times it's much better to avoid the temptation to produce the higher layer count.
great work on the knife and I really enjoyed the breakdown explanation thanks
That's a very cool blade. It looks like cloudy, near transparent centre, and the divider between pattern and steel middle looks like 3D effect on it. The only I hate about the video, is the camera at the end review session. where you used the wide angle, nearly fish-eyed lens made it looks like the blade is bent and perhaps shifting some patterns too, I think.
I really appreciate your critique. I think it taught more than most “how to” videos generally do for those that are trying to up their game. Thank you!
I feel the pattern is great and you should not feel that falls in the category of " could of done better" I feel the unique pattern is the soul of the blade
I commend you on your work ethic, good sir. Nice blade nice video
Once again you're thinking outside the box. I would have never considered 1045/15n20 sheet metal to make Damascus. Great job !!
Love the addition of an AAR
I think the blade looks great. I also really appreciate the after action report.
I would like to see how you execute tapered tangs. Also performance testing.
Great video, great content. Thank ypu
The pattern reminds me of a nebula far out in the universe somewhere. Thank you for the informative narration.
I looked to see if it was listed on your website and couldn't find it. I'm sure it sold before this video even came out. It's a showstopper.
Thank you for searching the extra information and some reflection to your already crazy good blades. Learnd a lot
I understand how it didn't turn out like you were expecting but... That's a cool knife! Stop being so hard on yourself, it's fantastic work. Have a great Christmas ⛄
That is a work of art.
WOW. that is the most beautiful knife I've ever seen.
Love your videos!!
Back in the day, what would have been the heat treat process before the small ovens came about? Another beautiful blade!
Coal or charcoal forges were it. Thanks for watching!
This was probably my favorite build so far. I love the way that blade turned out! Glad to see your new dies are working good on your power hammer. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the information. I'm just beginning at blade making . Fascinating.
Very interesting pattern. Looks like a map of a rocky coast with the ocean
Well done the pattern looks good to me I understand your concerns we learn as we go
I actually really like the variation in the cladding cover of the core. I feel like it leans further into the artistic side of things rather perfect uniformity.
For some reason the core steel looks translucent in the video. Almost looks like ivory, might be the settings on my phone. Awesome effect. Dude, that blade shimmers .
It's beautiful!
Quite doubting your self it f-ing amazing and 40 years of sharpening love it
My first thought was it looked like the Pillars of Creation of the Carina Nebula. Then it started to look like a glacier shoreline. Very cool build despite your issues. I look forward to your second try
If you are not happy with the way it turned out you can send it to me!! I would be glad to take it off your hands! Looks awesome!
That pattern came out great! Very nice.
Nickel is a really handy metal in forging, especially when you're working with high alloys or stuff with a lot of chromium in it which doesn't always like to stick, a layer of Ni will more or less glue it together. I use it in San-Mai types of blades a fair bit, especially for the stainless cladding which is already hard enough, but a layer in there will take out a lot of the fudge-factor of maybe having something usable at the end of the day.
It doesn't have the same plastic deformation you get from steels though, so when you see wider areas of Ni in your pattern welds its usually because it'll just squeeze out and around things sort of like if you had two cutting boards and put some dough in between them, press down and the dough will still be between the boards, but very thin + a lot out the sides. Where I've found it most useful is in something like mokume-gane with copper, bronze, brass etc base metals as it does tend to have the same level of deformation as those and a bit more predictable in how it all behaves.
Just on my own observations on san-mai types of knives, you sort of want to get as close as you can to the final dimensions on that final forge weld, which means long, thin billets and then just going in by hand on the final setting with the hammer. So just a light pass or two on the forging and then sort of pick a side you'd like to have a bit more character on in terms of the core-steel exposure to the cladding coverage. Think there's still a bit of a luck factor some days! Some just don't work out how you intend
Thanks for watching, thanks for the input!
Looks fantastic
Awesome pattern. Sometimes by not doing it right, you end up with something better.
It looks like a coast line, and the contrast between the steels looks almost 3 dimensional.
I would love to see what you can do if you do this on purpose and build on the concept.
oh.. and also. great work with the video editing. talking about what you tried to do, and how it came out, really takes this "genre" of videos up a notch.
Thanks I appreciate it
Beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful! The nickel gives a 3d effect in contrast with the darker 1045 that is mesmerizing! Wow! 😲👍
Nicely done
Love the break down of your work after.
love watching you work
Wish I hadn't missed buying that one!
Beautiful blade nice work and merry Christmas
Thanks, Merry Christmas!
The pattern is actually quite attractive and unique. As you noted, I'm sure it will stand up to its intended purpose with no trouble. Understand it falls short of what you were aiming for, but a nice piece of work nonetheless that I think anyone would be proud to have in their kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
i think you did a amazing job on the knife Elijah i really like it thats alot of work all those layers happy holidays to you and your family Mark 😃👍
Thanks, same to you !
First off you do incredible work. I’m curious how many days start to finish. Really enjoyed your contacts God bless enjoying the season with your family.
That is one stunning looking blade 👍🏻
Спасибо за урок. Очень интересно. Успехов и удачи!
I f*****g love the pattern such a great build
That came out gorgeous. Well done. I love the high contrast of the nickel
Enjoyed the breakdown as much as watching you make it. I'm trying to learn the trade, so the breakdown is very valuable to me
Beautiful work! 👍
Luar biasa👍,,,indahnya🤩
I think it turned out awesome!! You make some of the best knives I’ve seen. And am proud to say that I own one!!! I got a bull cutter from you and it has turned out to be a everyday carry knife for me. Keep up the great work!!
Dude this blade is awesome wiwish I could purchase a beautiful blade like this
AAR is a term we dreaded as E4 and below, but as I progressed in rank I understood the value in it for future missions…I may start doing that when I teach bladesmithing in my shop 🤔 great content brotha! 🔪❤️🇺🇸
Thank you sir
More, please! That's an absolutely fantastic pattern. It looks organic.