CUTLERY 1015 



rollers are then only to have recesses cut in them, in a direction parallel to the axis 

 for forming the bolster. 



The plate of steel having been heated, is to be pressed between the two rollers, by 

 which the blades and the parts for the scale tangs will bo pressed out flat and thin, 

 and those parts which pass between the grooves or recess will be left thick or protu- 

 berant, forming the bolster for the shoulder of the blade. But if the tangs are to bo 

 round in order to be fixed into single handles, then it will be necessary also to form 

 transverse grooves in the rollers, that is, at right angles to those which give shape to 

 the bolsters, the transverse grooves corresponding in length to the length of the 

 intended tang. "When the plates of steel have been thus rolled, forming three or 

 more kinves in a breadth, the several knives are to be cut out by the ordinary mode 

 of what is called slitting, and the blades and shoulders ground, hardened, and polished 

 in the usual way. 



Forks are generally a distinct branch of manufacture from that of knives, and are 

 purchased of the fork makers by the manufacturers of tables knives, in a state fit for 

 receiving the handles. 



The rods of steel from which the forks are made, are about fths of an inch square. 

 The tang and shank of the fork are first roughly formed. The fork is then cut off, 

 leaving at one end about 1 inch of the square part of the steel. This part is after- 

 wards drawn out flat to about the length, of the prongs. The shank and tang are 

 now heated, and a proper form given to them by means of a die and swage. The 

 prongs are afterwards formed at one blow by means of the stamp ; this machine is 

 very similar to that used in driving piles, but it is worked by one man. It consists 

 of a large anvil fixed in a block of stone nearly on a level with the ground. To this 

 anvil are attached two rods of iron of considerable thickness, fixed 12 inches asunder, 

 perpendicularly to the anvil, and diagonally to each other. These are fastened to the 

 ceiling. The hammer or stamp, about 100 Ibs. in weight, having a groove upon either 

 side corresponding to the angles of the upright rods, is made to slide freely through 

 its limited range, being conducted by its two iron supporters. A rope is attached to 

 the hammer, which goes over a pulley on the floor of the room above, and comes 

 down to the person who works the stamp : two corresponding dies are attached, one 

 to the hammer, and the other to the anvil. That part of the fork intended to form 

 the prongs, is heated to a pretty white heat and placed in the lower die, and the 

 hammer containing the other die is made to fall upon it from a height of about 7 or 8 

 feet. This forms the prongs and the middle part of the fork, leaving a very thin sub- 

 stance of steel between each prong, which is afterwards cut out with an appropriate 

 instrument called a fly-press. The forks are now annealed by surrounding a large 

 mass of them with hot coals, so that the whole shall become red hot The fire is 

 suffered gradually to die out, and the forks to cool without being disturbed. This 

 process is intended to soften, and by that means to prepare them for filing. The 

 inside of the prongs are then filed, after which they are bent into their proper form 

 and hardened. When hardened, which is effected by heating them red-hot and 

 plunging them into cold water, they are tempered by exposing them to the degree of 

 heat at which grease inflames. 



Penknives are generally forged by a single hand, with the hammer and the anvil 

 simply. 



The hammer in this trade is generally light, not exceeding 3 Ibs. The breadth 

 of the face, or the striking part, is about one inch ; if broader, it would not be con- 

 venient for striking so small an object. The principal anvil is about 5 inches, and 10 

 upon the face, and is provided with a groove into which a smaller anvil is wedged. 

 The smaller anvil is about 2 inches square upon the face. The blade of the knife is 

 first drawn out at the end of the rod of steel, and as much more is cut off along with 

 it as is thought necessary to form the joint. The blade is then taken in a pair of 

 tongs, and heated a second time to finish the joint part, and at the same time to form 

 a temporary tang for the purpose of driving into a small haft used by the grinder. 

 Another heat is taken to give the blade a proper finish. The small recess called the 

 nail-hole, used in opening the knife, is made while it is still hot by means of a chisel, 

 which is round on one side and flat upon the other. 



Penknives are hardened by heating the blade red hot, and dipping them into water 

 up to the shoulder. They are tempered by setting them side by side, with the back 

 downwards, upon a flat iron plate laid upon the fire, where they are allowed to remain 

 till they are of a brown or purple colour. 



The blades of pocket knives, and all that come nnder the denomination of spring 

 knives, are made in the same way. 



The forging of razors is performed by a foreman and striker, as in making table 

 knives. 



