Forging a competition chopper.

This video shows the Forging and making a competition chopper from 5160 steel. It is the complete movie. The entire process of forging, hardening and constructing the blade and its handle is shown, together with sharpening and testing following the 4 steps of the American blade smith association Journey Man testing method. (Without the bend test as this will mess up the blade too much)
The steel I normally use is 5160 steel, a low alloy spring steel, very tough and forgiving to work with, it has the tendency to scale a bit but when forged rich using a low oxygen forge environment, scaling is much less of a problem. The 5160 steel is best for longer blades and heavy knives, the hardness is around 62 HRC. The knife is tempered more on its back, giving it very good impact resistance. As the test showed, it could withstand some extreme chopping without any damage to its edge, as it is still razor-sharp.
The 5160 steel is salvaged form a old semi truck leaf spring. I buy these leaf springs at a truck scrapyard. I first test the steel for its attributes by destruction tests and hardening tests to determine if it is the real deal.
For hardening I use a relatively fast oil based on diesel. Most of the time I do a hardening just until the boiling point of the oil has past, this gives me some time to straighten some warps, this method is an exchange between hardness and toughness, as the blade is essentially already tempered after the quench, it did not reach its ultimate hardness, for big knives and swords this is perfect as they are very often used as impact weapons rater than cutting weapons, they rely very much on there toughness. After hardening it is best to temper using a good electric oven, I use a torch, but I do not recommend this, as it requires much practice.
I hope you enjoy the video, pleas like and subscribe, as this will help me make more content.

[@The4362mont]

Thanks, a real pleasure to watch you work. No music, other than the sounds of your shop and work, and no needless naration to distract from taking in your work. Like standing over your shoulder...beautiful work...

[@SS--CAL]

Out of all the designs of a machete. This one is by far the best I've ever seen. Beautiful work. I would like to have one just like it.

[@sparkyairbrushguy]

I could absolutely watch you forge for hours, almost mesmerizing and find myself totally loosing myself in your videos for hours on end! Keep up the great work sir!

[@jonnypuk5078]

The craftsmanship is perfect and a joy to watch thank you for posting a great build ...

[@darkovilos]

I really need this, Its been one hell of a week for me that I just want to sit down watch and listen to those soothing sounds of metal hiting metal.

[@Gmar69]

That is a VERY PROFESSIONAL competition chopper. You have my vote on the best I've seen made.

[@dalev2842]

I love the attention put to the handle. I learned some things I'm definitely going to do a little different on my knife handles in the future. Thanks!

[@timfuhrman1185]

Absolutely beautiful work ! Handle and guard fit the chopper perfectly. This is my favorite

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Ha!!! That is so cute!!! Well done my friend, top work as always :) And thanks a lot for the shout out, too kind.

[@Fred-en8ic]

Ha! thats my chopper. I am so grateful to Freerk for realizing my dream 'knife' and making this awesome video to look at over and over again. He is a really cool guy. Much respect and keep it up!

[@thejoetandy]

Fred 5000 what did it set you back, roughly?

[@freerkwieringa275]

Fred 5000 thanks! Good to have you as a customer

[@Fred-en8ic]

Half an arm and about a quarter leg. You should contact Freerk about prices.

[@cbr900son]

Are you using it for competitions?

[@ConcreteLand]

William Bishop there’s competition chopping?

[@BADALEX1]

Was watching the end and thinking "Man, there should be some chopping with that chopper..." and then there was! Excellent.

[@Tfolds]

Thats a fantastic Bosch drill... Took me minute and even a second look.

[@freerkwieringa275]

Tracey Folds yes! It is the favorite drill of my son. I took it to my shop for repairs. He also watches the videos so it is a bit af a surprise for him.

[@Mrtonnyfly]

The Sundowner's Machete! Beautifful.

[@SpacePimp00]

I really enjoyed watching this video. What amazing workmanship and skill.

[@venom477]

this has to be one of the most beautiful knives I've ever seen

[@benumbrardor8708]

Just saw a clip of a knife competition. Very cool and impressive, both the knives and the choppers.

[@bloodtrocuted6]

Beautiful and functional. Nice work, Sir.

[@slick4401]

Great work! I particularly loved the handle. It looks awesome.

[@KowboyUSA]

Munrais ideal shape for a chopper. Doesn't say in the description what kind of wood, burl wood or a figure/pattern wood like curly maple, maybe. Beautiful looking.

[@bladegirl1831]

You have serious talent. Bravo, sir!

[@georgevalencia1713]

Love watching you work. Best I've ever seen. Sept. 14 is my birthday and I already got the best present, watching you make a work of real beauty. Thanks Freerk your the best. Keep um coming Brother!

[@TheMadRabbid]

So Happy Birthday, bro!

[@eivindemblemsvag6727]

George Valencia :)

[@theconnellyproject]

That was a beautiful thing to watch. Awesome awesome chopper!!

[@esnyd]

Already liked, now I'm commenting, and I'm turning on notifications. I can see your work progressing nicely. I like that you are progressing into smaller blades because when it comes to swords you can't be beat!

[@TheWind213]

Absolutely Beautiful Piece of Craftsmanship

[@SkechArt]

WoW man thats one AWESOME piece! Great job!

[@kieransterry8699]

Skech Art has the

[@hiltonbeyers3911]

Skech Art I

[@tobiasmyles5375]

sorry to be so off topic but does someone know of a method to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost the password. I love any tips you can give me!

[@bryantbentlee5031]

@Tobias Myles Instablaster ;)

[@tobiasmyles5375]

@Bryant Bentlee Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@DestroBB]

Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship.

[@kaustavgoswami3706]

I love the way how you make the weapon it shows how passionate at you are towards your work." Best way of making a weapon i have seen "

[@peterbrownrigg7021]

You do fine work. Love the use of the surface grinder.

[@myprettyselena]

I'd be damn proud to own that and even prouder to say I made it! Great job!!

[@isabeladana8591]

i simply love your work, from your strikes, to your designs, even your logo and the place you stamp it is so cool!!

[@bmcc9555]

You're not a black smith you're an artist, I thoroughly enjoy seeing your work.

[@larrybair8074]

Really like the chopper you built, especially the finger guard.

Great work. Very beautiful blade!

[@Fenrid7]

beautiful! Great job as always

[@BigEvilNetwork]

Beautiful work!

[@bushcraftoregon]

beautiful chopper; especially enjoyed watching you put the handle on

[@RobertBranch-FL]

Absolutely beautiful and functional blade. I would love to own one like that!

[@womflat12587]

That is a darn fine chopper and it does chop well.

[@marcusmckenzie9528]

that is one hell of a fine chopper! escellent job!!!

[@fmc6338]

Beautiful work !!

[@akioutsunomiya4343]

wow that is a beautiful competition chopper you made wow that is nice to have good job great stuff.

[@aaroninman7370]

I really like the handle work.

[@HandyCreators.]

Wow. You aren't only a youtuber. You are professional. 10/10

[@dnemoga]

This is the awesome idea to stamp a sign! Looks pretty good. I love watching your works. Keep going :)

[@jonathanbarkley9472]

AWESOME work!!! I want one.

[@kpopahjussi6379]

Excellent piece.

[@KOPPERSTATE]

ITS A CHOPPER EVEYBODY GET DOWN...!!! ⚒ awesome work bro. 🔪

[@SteveShivik]

Gorgeous my friend!

[@joralte5600]

this knife is just so beautiful. perfect creation.. a masterpiece 👌

[@ianeva5011]

Excellent job there Sir, you works are awesome

[@harmcorecustoms8570]

Great work! 👍👊

[@tomohawk5567]

I like that, I like that a lot. Great video thanks for sharing 👍🇬🇧

[@saberman12341]

Amazing Blade. Outstanding.

[@RideVictoria]

Get To Da Choppa !!! ;) Awesome job.

[@byrd3242]

Wow that came out beautiful and super functional well done. I very much enjoyed watching this this sunday morning with my coffee thanks ^_^

[@glenngordon6936]

I am now convinced that you are a wizard.

[@marktyler1807]

Great video man knife looks gorgeous!!!

[@jacquesdevreux8258]

Tout simplement magnifique, travail remarquable, bravo!

[@julotpierrot4036]

Merci pour ce super travail ! ta chaîne est super , continu !

[@waldemarjedi1187]

Great workshop,I wish some like this some day,amazing job dude)))

[@houseofclubs2437]

Beautiful piece......lovely bone choppa!!!!

[@kauslit1187]

Excellent Job...How I wish that Philippine blacksmith have the same power tools and equipments like your's. Filipino blacksmith use leaf springs and locomotive ball bearings too for making Machete's, knife's and axes but very traditional and primitive ways...

[@laranicola]

Amazing knife. You are the best.

[@habibkanso]

Good work as usual

[@yesdeere1376]

Fantastic job dude. That's an awesome blade

[@Wachomen]

great work, bro

[@adrianhernandez974]

Maravillosa pieza amigo, felicidades!!! Admiro tu trabajo. Un abrazo desde Ecatepec, México 🇲🇽

[@ben_hamilton]

Very impressive, nice work

[@RobGraham048]

great looking blade

[@paulsherman7802]

It will cut: It will Keel. Love the grip. Lots of times you see pieces that just will not index very well. It looked like every stroke on the chop went to the right spot. Props.

[@unitrig]

perfect, i like it boss.... the real artist, love to see the making of that chopper, you have your own style. keep up the great work.

[@freerkwieringa275]

thank you!

[@cowboysam1957]

WOW! Beautiful

[@honzatoman3602]

Nice heavy worker. Good job!

[@Mr87Payne]

Stunning!!

[@mrscary3105]

Great work

[@densterr]

fantastisch gedaan weer!!

[@cryptowars2165]

fantastic blade bro

[@nguyenthien3038]

Amazing job...

[@paulhughes3961]

Beautiful knife, I envy your talent.

[@Landrew0]

Flawless.

[@brasillivre4034]

Merece 10.000 likes! Congratulations

[@RicardoHiroyukiKunikata]

Awesome job!!! Greetings from Brasil!!!

[@g997]

Parabéns 👏👏👏 você é o melhor!!!!

[@shaynecrouse2529]

Nice work dude !

[@poppabearskitchen1769]

Excellent knife! I want one!

[@BioGloo]

Nice work! The steel was so strong the drill press was struggling haha

[@romelcasillas2286]

Damn. Awesome video.

[@zsolt487]

It is AMAZING!! ❤️👍

[@somnangiii3168]

Great job bro

[@ManojKumar-jp7sz]

I like your work

[@gnydick]

Awesome, I want one!

[@gilbertgarza3036]

Badass bro...great job..

[@joningram1497]

Great job

[@flaggedowntown]

Strangely just saw a video of one of these in use in competition recently, they get brutally abused. 5160 is tough stuff, famous for Kukris & other hard impact tools as well as leaf springs. You do great work obviously & I felt quite at home having worked in a grinding room before.

[@khadimalijunejo7760]

it is so much hard work. it made very good useful knife , I like that knife.

[@adranscyth1556]

beautiful man

[@mrwillgogators4542]

Beautiful

[@ManojKumar-jp7sz]

Good job friend

[@TwistedMetalsOfTexas]

Very nice!

[@michaeltovrea7947]

Minus the very T-Rex like Hammer work.. awesome piece

[@freerkwieringa275]

thanks i guess

[@Zekla]

Cool knife! The handle reminds me of revolver grips.