Forging A Damascus Stiletto From Cable!

From a piece of steel cable to a Damascus Stiletto.
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Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas of what you'd like me to make next let me know in the comments section.
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Thank you for watching!!!
If you enjoyed this video hit that THUMBS UP and SUBSCRIBE!
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Blacksmithing is dangerous. I've been burned, had my fingers squished, got stuck by metal splinters and been bludgeoned by stray pieces of metal... Wear your PPE and be safe out there. (Kids... do not try this without parental supervision.)
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This build was a response to a request by: @Top O' The Morning To Ya / @markerhein
"Hey you should consider making a letter opener from damascus steel."
I admittedly made a more formidable tool than a letter opener should normally be...
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[@MrEisenhaupt]

To be honest: I've been watching KZbin videos for years about how knives are handmade (for optical relaxation, I never made one myself etc) I've seen hundreds of knives, many of which are probably better crafted etc blah blub. But this stiletto is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Point

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!!! I am glad you enjoyed watching my video. :)

[@Dojibu]

Its refreshing seeing vids like this. Seems like a lot of forging videos have people going to a hydraulic press or power hammer, but this is a good reminder than hand tools still work.

[@markerhein]

It’s so funny how the video starts Adam pulling a cable out of the back of the shop. Then we see the cable turn into an awesome blade. Amazing!

[@chhengrathana9282]

💕

[@reneemills-mistretta790]

That is hard work. People don't realize just how hard blacksmithing is. No power hammer, no steel press, all by hand. Great work! The Forbidden Stiletto Dagger is my favorite of blades. The triangular shape of the blade when twisted into someone makes it so that wound won't seal up or stop bleeding. The channels made it so the blood wouldn't get on the assassins when used at the correct angle. It was the assassins favorite weapon.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked my video! :)

[@reneemills-mistretta790]

@@AdamRhein 👍👍

[@rodeoclownobama5796]

it's alot harder when you're stupid

[@honzazenisek2816]

Perfektní práce 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻konečně někdo kdo udělá damašek bez bucharu a lisu jenom čistá ruční práce 👌🏻 top.

[@Occuria1]

It is really neat watching all of those single strands become one.

[@shannonmanning6166]

Metallurgy is a science, but smithing, of whatever form, is an art. Your decision to roll with the punches and change your plan highlights that remarkably well. Beautiful piece.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! That is the nicest thing anyone has told me today :)

[@randomrobot_boy7238]

That was just gorgeous!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!!

[@mostuff1796]

When the steel says: I want to become a Stiletto and you listen, you'll end up with such a beauty! Awesome work

[@mostuff1796]

*Pokey Pokey*

[@AdamRhein]

lol thank you!

[@unclebob540i3]

Looks great! I like how you formed the handle. Ultimately the steel decides what it wants to be, this time it was a stiletto.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! Today, a stiletto, and next time who knows :)

[@rikmathias9415]

Couldn't help myself, first thing I said was "Wow, I want one!". Wear that with my kilt outfit. Nice work, interesting video.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!! :) I'm glad you like it!

[@Jey_Ace]

Definitely unique. Real time forging without any time lapses and the effort in every hammer hit makes this video well worth it. “Two Thumbs Up” my friend and beautiful end product

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much! :)

[@bradenosgood37]

Your work and this channel as a whole is horribly underrated

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much! I am glad you like it! I hope to make more videos soon.

[@stevenjennings8347]

Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls God Bless Ya 🙏

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@yaboiranger5465]

20:50 LOL this is the exact same reaction I had to my dagger when I finished it, I went up to my mom and said "yea its a pretty good stabby stab"

[@postardetudo8050]

Magnífico, aplausos aqui do brasil 👏

[@christopherholmes7324]

Very beautiful!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@quatroquatro877]

Супер! Продолжай в том-же духе. Удачи. Привет из Харькова.

[@MikeSwill]

That looks badass... The blade shape perfectly matches the overall aesthetic

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!!!

[@paulorbuenod]

Awesome job! Congrats!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!!

[@75Venca]

Krásná práce!!!!

[@brxcrafts9197]

Very beautyfull project, awesome to Look at

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)

[@oliverrosenkrantz7603]

so satisfying and OCD friendly the way you make sure all the cable is covered evenly in borax and the way you keep the anvil clean and brush of every bit of scaling ! a pleasure to watch

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed my video! :)

[@oliverrosenkrantz7603]

@@AdamRhein i sure did :) amazing talent you have worked your way to!

[@user-jz8em1lv7y]

Шикардос!

[@rossgraveley]

Great job nicely done

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!!

[@kenledson]

Good job!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)

[@ZK-nk8fq]

I really like the look of the piece. Good job and keep it up!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@shaunemicheal7362]

Great work!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!! :)

[@edward_-vr3nh]

This is the first video of yours and I liked the blows, they were accurate and precise, good handling of the hammer, greetings from Mexico

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed my video! :)

[@laurentlagrange5071]

Un grand bravo pour cette réalisation cette dague et juste magnifique 👍 elle est superbe j'aimerais un jour pouvoir faire la même Bravo au top 👍

[@hraldir3778]

Nice work👍

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!!

[@vladimirkovacevic1656]

beautiful Stiletto

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@MrFutago87]

16:45 Aw man, you can almost feel his heartbreak at seeing the notches in the blade.

[@nbingog]

Learned a lot... Great Info Video and Awesome Craftsmanship.. Please keep it up, shows me it can be done without BIG BLUE. Now to find some good Cable somewhere.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video! I found that piece of cable half buried in a scrap yard. Best of luck in your smithing ventures!

[@Sj85119]

steady the results are very good

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)

[@cxrdz6037]

Awesome

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!!

[@josemuzquiz7146]

Adam is a forging beast!

[@AdamRhein]

You are awesome my friend.

[@keithspencersr.6806]

The long nasty point was the one I think, outstanding job. As I kept looking at that knife and place it with sword carrying days, that would be a soldier’s knife, the leaders would be silver, and the king’s in gold.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!

[@richardschneider4775]

great shape form and function.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)

[@nickculibrk7359]

Knife Is so beautiful and craftmanshipis awesome

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Smallathe]

very nice work.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@lifeskillsdn]

Amazing

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@shanek6582]

Incolnel welding rod is almost pure nickel And will forge weld nicely in cable Damascus, makes some shiny lines.

[@AdamRhein]

I need to try that!!! Great idea!

[@NOUREDDINE.]

good job 👍👍👍

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brucewaynehdl6388]

Impresionante !! te felicito excelente forja y muy buena forma de solucionar el problema de delaminación !!

[@AdamRhein]

Gracias!

[@brucewaynehdl6388]

@@AdamRhein de nada master !! 👍

[@pipemover]

Another good one Adam.

[@AdamRhein]

Man I appreciate it! Thank you!

[@pipemover]

@@AdamRhein of course! I dig the profile. Stabby stabby!!! On the technical side, I've seen other cable damascus videos where the smith opens up the twist (just a little) on the first heat to get the flux inside before twisting tight. do you think that would have helped with the de-lams?

[@AdamRhein]

@@pipemover its probably a good idea. I didn't even think to do that. 🤪

[@JoseRodriguez-ru7on]

HANDS DOWN THE BEST IVE EVER SEEN

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!

[@JoseRodriguez-ru7on]

@@AdamRhein HANDS DOWN THATS ART

[@brianfalls5894]

Man that is a nice looking stiletto there Adam. Glad you went that route. I think it's a lot more aggressive looking with that full tapered point you have. Well done sir!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you much!!! I think the full taper turned out pretty well 😀

[@romeovidalrodriguez7754]

hola que buen video Excelente!

[@AdamRhein]

Gracias! :)

[@Levi-ul3kt]

Perfect, incrible

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)

[@tomsawyer247]

Nice

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@ayman27]

I am following you from Syria 😍

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! Welcome to my channel :)

[@Darkfredor]

waouuuu,elle est vraiment magnifique cette dague,bravo.

[@AdamRhein]

Merci beaucoup!

[@brucemorris6319]

Good job man. Looks like a oversized letter opener.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! An epic letter opener was my original intent... but it morphed into what it is... an epic oversized letter opener :)

[@forgeworksbottleaxes8746]

Cool video!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@LimgraveFootSoldier]

That damascus pattern ended up looking like a dark marble piece. Outstanding

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!!

[@Kratos_God_of_50_BMG]

Awesome job man! Screw power hammers, it just needed a little elbow grease 😁 New Sub!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :D

[@tomriver25003]

Fantastic video. Thank you for putting it out. One question...How do you deal with galvanization on cable like that? More specifically, how do you tell if it's galvanized?

[@AdamRhein]

I have always found that soaking your galvanized peice in vinegar was the quickest way of removing the zinc coating. Most large cable isn't galvanized, but it is something I am careful about. Old galvanized metal has a whitish powdery look. If you have doubts, soak it in vinegar. Zinc dissolves in minutes.

[@frankiepips]

Never mind how good your work is buddy 10 out of 10 for your "man noises" !

[@AdamRhein]

lol Thanks :D Only the "manliest" noises hahaha

[@derekk2708]

The Blacksmithing is Great. But equally impressive is the Video Shooting/Editing. Great Job. ; )

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much! I do it all myself, so it is really good to hear that it came out well! :)

[@derekk2708]

@@AdamRhein I do some Black Smithing myself, but also Film & Video stuff. So I can see both sides of your creative flair. Nice touch with the 'cinema scope' (letterbox/bars) .. it really works well for making it all a bit more 'cinematic'. DK ; )

[@pipemover]

I dunno, I could stand to see a little more leg...

[@AdamRhein]

@@pipemover hahaha 😆

[@mv.gamersenpai7070]

You can update +video more, I like every your video

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jblueforge3131]

Great work, very refined il ve waiting for the next video patiently.!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!! I will be making a video each week. :)

[@IamAyK]

Respect

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!

[@DarkWolfForza]

I can't imagine how many hours you put into this build.

[@AdamRhein]

:)

[@GardenIdeasTips]

ý tưởng rất hay. tôi rất ngưỡng mộ công việc của bạn

[@johnwhorton5942]

Great work! You should really do a dark coffee etch on it

[@AdamRhein]

A coffee etch? That sounds interesting. I've never done one of those. Does that make the steel darken up?

[@EclipsePhotographyFL]

@@AdamRhein yes. Most of the time I have seen other smiths using instant coffee.

[@AdamRhein]

I'm going to have to try that :)

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@AdamRhein Coffee darkening is fantastic, it's my go-to finish if I want polished steel dark. It ends up looking close to gun bluing if you have enough carbon and/or manganese in the steel (and leave it in long enough). If you don't have much of one or either, it might not darken much more than a very light gray when starting from bright steel, and you'd be better off using ferric chloride, cold blue, or parkerizing (parkerizing solutions carry their own manganese, which is why it darkens most any type of steel). The coffee takes longer to oxidize the surface compared to ferric chloride but surpasses it after a while, the two methods differ somewhat in how they react with steel. When the ferric chloride begins to pit the surface of the steel, you're essentially locked in to that color at that point, but the coffee will continue to darken it without pitting. Since the coffee isn't a harsh etching solution like ferric chloride (it will etch eventually, but it darkens more than it etches), it takes longer to darken so you can fine tune the exact color you want from it easier. Usually takes a few hours, but you can actually leave it in overnight if the steel is low in carbon or manganese and it's not taking well. If you want that etched and raised damascus look but want it darker than it turned out, you can use ferric chloride for the first step, polish the surface back up if desired, and then finish with coffee darkening to get a deeper black. It won't dull a highly polished surface like ferric chloride does, so you can bring the polish back after the etch and keep it with the coffee darkening. Always use distilled/purified water with it, as most municipal/well sources have dissolved solids that neutralize the weak acid and can lead to inconsistent finishes. Heat about a gallon of distilled water in a pot, and use an entire container of instant coffee (I use the nescafe 10.5oz containers). Room temp mixture is the most effective but it doesn't mix well in a gallon of water when cold, so heat it up to mix and then let it cool before use. Keep the steel clean, don't let your dogs and kids drink it, etc. One huge bonus is that you're not dealing with poisonous chemicals or fumes...you could pour it down the drain when you're done if you wanted. A minor downside is that it'll tell on you if your surface isn't a consistent finish, rougher spots take the etch faster and will be darker than the rest of the surface, so take a little extra time getting it all uniform. Compared to hot bluing, the finish isn't quite as durable/corrosion resistant, but it does come in at a close second compared to some other etched finishes. My take is that the investment in a hot bluing setup and all the skill needed to master the process doesn't justify the slight advantage over coffee etching, though I suppose it's easy enough to send a knife off to someone that does that stuff for a small fee. With some steels hot bluing is your only option if you want a glossy black finish.

[@AdamRhein]

@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper Thank you so much for giving me an instructional on how to coffee etch!!! I needed that... I was looking up coffee etching yesterday, and wasn't finding a whole lot about it. I will definitely be using what you told me on future projects. Thank you.

[@thelucondrix391]

I just subscribed to your channel, I'm surprised it took me this long to find you. That was beautiful work. I'm currently about to experiment with some very old cable myself, it was used to haul dinamite buy mule on a sled that and chains for the railroad in our area. My great grandfather was the one whom kept them and my grandfather gave them to me before passing...the chains are still in use on the family farm but the wire was too old and rusted away to even be really saved to I cut it up and cleaned it up...I want to try mixing some broken vadanium tools and some iron...with the cable as well, I don't know how it will turn out I can't find anything on it, but I figured worth a shot..I know it will be hard given the metallurgical properties..but I've seen mix copper and steel so why not to different steels like that. I'm still in the starting stages but LoL. I look forward to seeing more of your videos I love them

[@thelucondrix391]

Before people start getting started... I've seen people mix carbon with carbon, iron with carbon, and stainless steel with stainless steel...but I've never seen the stainless successfully bonded with the iron or carbon without some expensive processes...

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope that you are successful in your cable welding attempt! You'll have to let me know how that pattern weld turns out! I don't know the properties on vanadium steel. I am sure it is possible, I would have to look up its welding properties. Anything is possible with metalworking, I have no idea how they weld copper with steel. I have seen it, and I am baffled because of the "dissimilar metals" obstacle.

[@emorytucker5467]

That came out looking like snake skin, quite fitting for a stiletto. Great work!

[@spikeydapikey1483]

That's a mighty fine poking stick!!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)

[@chewyakarieckenicholas6049]

That is a beautiful pokie pokie

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!! 😀

[@FenwynFlies]

You must be really proud of this! Hope you make some kitchen knives or utilitarian stuff soon!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! That's a good idea! I might have to make some kitchen knives. :)

[@FenwynFlies]

@@AdamRhein Weeell buying kitchen knives beats patreon. -nudge nudge wink wink-

[@VTEFACASCUSTOM]

ficou demais mesmo, quero muito tentar fazer uma damasco desse. meus parabéns

[@AdamRhein]

Obrigado

[@garagem7644]

o que é esse po que ele joga em cima do cabo de aço ?

[@VTEFACASCUSTOM]

@@garagem7644 é bórax, nome químico: borato de sódio. ele ajuda a não entrar ar na hora de fusão dos aços, assim evita delaminações.

[@vanilsonmoura]

Parabéns pelo trabalho! Gostaria de comprar um desse, você o venderia?

[@celinagil1458]

Que es lo que hay en el piso jajajaa se ve super extraño 😃 te quedo super buen la daga

[@kennyhagan5781]

That's what they used to call a Manhattan boot knife. That's amazing looking. Happy Halloween 🎃🦇💀👻🤡

[@andycapybara]

Thanks for the vid. What's the powder in the tin you sprinkle on the piece?

[@user-yh1nj7hb2u]

이야 이 아저씨는 찐이네

[@gudvin-smith]

Чёткая работа)

[@AdamRhein]

Спасибо вам большое :)

[@dannyarrowheadstalker3054]

Nothing says back off or you'll be shish kabob'ed like a beautiful stiletto!

[@AdamRhein]

My thoughts exactly. :)

[@DiesInEveryFilm]

Hey man that’s an absolute beauty f a blade. Would you be interested in selling some of that cable?

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!! I am in the process of moving my shop and all of my stuff is hard to find at the moment

[@jamieadams7550]

I’d like order 2

[@code_6265]

Seasoning my steak? Nah Season my blade? Yeahhhhh

[@BGaud]

Dude, this is awesome! I wish I knew someone who smithed like this, so I could learn. keep the vids coming!

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! If you have any questions on your smithing journey. Don't hesitate to ask. I'll answer to the best of my ability

[@BGaud]

@@AdamRhein Thanks!

[@pipemover]

@@BGaud where are you? Most areas will have a blacksmithing Facebook group. I'd start there.

[@BGaud]

@@pipemover Boston area. That's a great idea.

[@Rosewayforge]

Any one I Washington state

[@dansworkshop1972]

Wow beautiful work. Way to roll with the punches too. Can you share how you made the we ferric chloride? Also what diameter cable did you use?

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!! I think the cable is a 1" cable... I found it in a scrap yard... it was mostly buried, (which is why it was so rusty.) Underhill Forge has a great video on how to make ferric chloride: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpy6YYulqbOgj9E

[@dansworkshop1972]

@@AdamRhein Awesome, I'll check it out. You have yourself a new subscriber.

[@AdamRhein]

@@dansworkshop1972 thank you!!!

[@ThiagoFerreira-hg2eo]

our excellent work I really liked ... just a doubt i would like to know what white powder is this one you throw on top .. and incidence powder and? since already thank you very good ...

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! The white powder is a borax Flux. It helps with the forge weld.

[@nguyenduy9501]

Thank you so awesome I searched for it so long

[@gerardmourits8709]

That's a pretty sharp looking handle. Is it comfortable to hold?

[@AdamRhein]

I find it to be comfortable, but I have pretty tough hands... :)

[@grfraulino05]

this video is perfect in 2x

[@carlaharper1298]

Beautiful!!! I want one!!! Please let me know if what you make is for sale. (Not Kidding)

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! I do sell what I make. I recently moved my shop and I am getting back into making videos. I'd you would like to see something particular get forged, let me know. :)

[@L1413_]

Great vid! ^^ Just curious: what's that powder you spread on the cable at the begining of its forging?

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! That powder is a borax Flux. It helps with the forge weld. Thanks for watching!

[@L1413_]

@@AdamRhein I see. I'm supposed to use something like that for the bee wax candles I'm making too.

[@thefirstomega4531]

Holy hell how cold was it there?..... I mean.. your at a forge and you can see every particle of your breath XD

[@AdamRhein]

It was a cold early spring day. But I stay active and warm :)

[@drew5337]

We don't make mistakes, we just make smaller knives. ;)

[@ethangee6214]

i like the change of actually hearing the smith talk through the build most just speed up the video and we hear nothing.

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you!!! I am glad you enjoyed my video. :)

[@jiyunotsubasaa]

It needs a better handle, this is supposed to be for stabbing so you need to protect your hand from sliding. But its beautifully made, good job.

[@ohok3608]

what was the white powder you put on during the hammering. thanks.

[@AdamRhein]

It's a borax Flux. It helps with the welding

[@miloa2493]

Borax. It keeps oxidation from stopping the forge weld.

[@eakkk_twoblock5011]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@SculptyWorks]

That came out so beautiful! ❤👍 ...is it for sale?

[@AdamRhein]

It will be when I make a sheath for it :)

[@nguyenduy9501]

What did he put in the forging competition? 

[@genkidama7385]

how is the zinc collet smell ?

[@chademery9169]

What do you sprinkle on it after you take it out of the fire?

[@AdamRhein]

It is a borax Flux. It coats and cleans the steel and helps weld it together

[@lisardscool5051]

that is a verry cool pokie pokie

[@AdamRhein]

Thank you! :)