Hand Forged Buckles

[Railrider1920]

A damascus buckle would have to be treated with something to prevent rusting. Typically,  damascus is made with a high carbon steel and a high nickle steel. Some people have had bad reactions to nickle when it comes into contact with the skin. The high carbon steel is the one that would rust and is the reason it would need to be treated with something like wax or an oil.

I am in a FB group for blacksmithing.  I'm sure someone there can make one for you or at least point you to someone in your area that can.  Is there a way to send private messages here through the site? If there is, Jimmy, please send me your contact info and basic area of where you live and I'll see if I can get you in contact with someone that can help you.

Rob.

[Railrider1920]

Or if you would rather, join this FB group and make a post asking for damascus makers in your area.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/541243726021154/

[Railrider1920]

On 7/1/2018 at 10:02 PM, olfart said:

You can probably find a blacksmithing group (club) near you where you can learn blacksmithing for a lot less money.  Then you can spend that money on forge, anvil, tools, etc. or the materials to make them.

There are plenty of groups all over the states. Check out this link. Then find your state. You can contact them to find a group that meets close to you. 

https://abana.org/affiliates/affiliate-map-list/#!directory/map

Typically,  you don't have to join a club to go to a few meetings. Just find out when and where they meet.  Show up with some safety glasses and you could most likely start forging that day. Ask questions. Every blacksmith I've met or talked to was always willing to help out. The people there can show you how it's done. Ask who in the group makes damascus. Tell them what you want made and you probably will leave there having met the person or having gotten their contact info. 

Hope this helps.

Rob

[Jimmy McLaughlin]

I found a Blacksmith group and I ended up taking a course in it. By the time I get done with the course, this will be the most expensive buckle I ever had. The school is in NJ, called Petersvalley.org that is the web site.This is how I got into leather working. I needed a new belt and figured I can make one. I looked on youtube to get an idea of how to go about it.Well, I figured I would only get a couple of tools that I needed to make a belt. LOL, I don't have to tell you all the rest of the story. I became a tool junkie. If this happens with Blacksmithing I will be looking for a new wife. If you all don't hear from me, you know what happened.

Jersey Jim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

[Railrider1920]

Peters valley is a good place to go. If you're a tool junkie, blacksmithing may not be for you lol. I want a couple of hammers from specific makers. They start at about $80-100 and go up from there. Many of the tools you will use, you can make yourself.

[Jimmy McLaughlin]

That is what I am afraid of. If I get into it, I will need a coal forge to start out with. That means I need a separate work area. I would have to get a shed that can be used for a forge. I am talking big money already. I might as well move to a new house. That is exactly how my head works, I am sick. LOL

Sick Jim

[Railrider1920]

Jim, you can do it as cheaply as you want, almost. This is the type of coal forge I started with. I used an empty freon jug from an air conditioning place, cut it in half, put a pipe in it, drill holes in it. Then after that, I put in some clay I dug up from a river bank. Add a hose and a hair dryer along with charcoal,  it got hot enough to burn and melt steal.

https://goo.gl/images/bvf7am

[TLP]

Quote

If you don't want rust to be an issue you might try Mokume Gane as the material the gabricate your buckle out of

I'd be interested in the project, but will not be able to work on any new projects till November/December

 

[olfart]

Blacksmithing is a handy skill to have.  Not only can you make your own blacksmithing tools, but you can also make your own leatherworking tools (some of them at least).  I've made a couple of hammers, several sets of tongs, punches, drifts, etc., as well as a coal forge and a gas forge.  For leatherworking I've made a couple of punches for belt loops in holsters, a freehand stitching groover and a beveling tool, mostly out of scrap metal from the shop.

[malabar]

On 6/28/2018 at 6:34 PM, Fowlingpiece said:

K

Very nice. Who makes these?