RICHLAND CREEK FORGE
Night time forge welding
Hello, my name is Chad Harding. I am a part time bladesmith, knifemaker. In 2005 I made my first knife using the stock removal method, in which you just grind a knife from a steel bar. Since then I have forged most of my blades, using a forge, hammer, anvil, and raw steel bars of over size, or round stock to gain my desired shape before grinding them to a finished profile.
My blades are made of tool steel and carbon steels, such as W1, W2, 1080, 1084,1095,15n20,L6, as welll as 5160 and 52100 chromium steels. A couple of years ago I started making my own damascus. This is a process in which two or more steels are forge welded together and manipulated to get a specific pattern in the steel. I also enjoy making blades from steel cable and chainsaw chains.
My knives are sole authorship, meaning all work is done by me, including the making of the sheath. Last year I became a member of the "ABS", American Bladesmith Society ( www.americanbladesmith.com). I plan on getting my journeysmith rating in the near future.
I learn more and more with every knife that I make, and I never tire from what I learn at the forge. Heat treating and thermal cycling of a knife is the backbone of a quality blade. The finest steel in the world is useless unless properly heat treated. The grain size of the steel is a major factor in a performance driven blade, and periodic cutting and destruction tests are the only way to test my methods.
I was honered to be featured in the "knifemaker showcase" in the June 2011 issue of Blade magazine.
Also for fun I do traditional blacksmithing such as pot racks and coat racks and what not.
My blades are made of tool steel and carbon steels, such as W1, W2, 1080, 1084,1095,15n20,L6, as welll as 5160 and 52100 chromium steels. A couple of years ago I started making my own damascus. This is a process in which two or more steels are forge welded together and manipulated to get a specific pattern in the steel. I also enjoy making blades from steel cable and chainsaw chains.
My knives are sole authorship, meaning all work is done by me, including the making of the sheath. Last year I became a member of the "ABS", American Bladesmith Society ( www.americanbladesmith.com). I plan on getting my journeysmith rating in the near future.
I learn more and more with every knife that I make, and I never tire from what I learn at the forge. Heat treating and thermal cycling of a knife is the backbone of a quality blade. The finest steel in the world is useless unless properly heat treated. The grain size of the steel is a major factor in a performance driven blade, and periodic cutting and destruction tests are the only way to test my methods.
I was honered to be featured in the "knifemaker showcase" in the June 2011 issue of Blade magazine.
Also for fun I do traditional blacksmithing such as pot racks and coat racks and what not.
Richland Creek Bowie
Chainsaw chain with dyed cherry elk and brass fittings
240 layer random damascus fighter, 9 3/4 inch blade, damascus fittings and fossil walrus ivory. Curly maple display
