Hello, I am starting to do some research into a new hobby. I really like getting involved in a new process, doing the research, setting it up, getting the tools and learning a new skills.

I really love watching videos on forging on YouTube. And forging is the thing that is really catching my eye. I even watched one video where they made their own forge and that sounds like a really cool project to start with. I would like to have a go at that. The ability to make your own tools using old fashioned, traditional methods, sounds really interesting to me.

I like how forging is very skillful, intellectual and physical too. Plus you can make some absolutely beautiful things and you can see the creator's craftsmanship in the end products. The knives they forge are amazing, very practical and useful and they make great gifts too. I do worry about people who are into 3d printing, what do you do with all your 3d prints?

Some of the kitchen knives these forging channels make are works of art. The process is fascinating. I like that a kitchen knife is also a real tool too. Something that a person would get a lot of use out of and really enjoy and hopefully use for many generations. I wonder if anyone has forged a whole set of cutlery with this technique? Wouldn't that be a wonderful family heirloom. You could actually eat a feast with your great, great, great grandchildren. I love the romance of forging.

But after watching a load of videos I am still confused as to what the pattern on the blades of the forged knives is actually called?

As I understand it, it is achieved by a sort of layering the forging metals somehow and then using acid at the end to accentuate the divisions. Unless I am getting this totally wrong. I am just starting my research, so much more to learn.

If there are any forging experts out there, maybe you could recommend a good forging book for a total beginner. But the name of that beautiful pattern effect on the forged blade would be good to know.

Thanks
Ben