Practice makes pretty

I’ve had the good fortune of finding plenty of scrap iron to practice my craft

This piece was cut from a lawn mower blade, a minor treasure among trash steel.

My goal was to explore. I tried hammering one side to give the body a gentle taper

which resulted in a softly curved blade, as the metal bloomed and bent to one side

Some Black Walnut cutoffs made a handsome handle, with trimmed and polished copper rivets.

I decided too late that the handle should be longer, and added a cedar shim to extend it.

I hit the finished blade with a torch to give it that bluish iridescence, and I’m pleased with the result.