[TheForge] Re: Scale

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

<< I've heard some bladesmiths use water on the anvil to blast the scale off 
as
 they're working.
 Anyone ever tried it? >>

Yeah, but more to hear the BANG than to pop off scale...when I was with the 
museum, and the military boys were out playing with their muskets, we'd time 
it so that as they fired, we "fired"...gave a "stereo" effect to the bang.  

Haven't had too many times when I had to beat the steel that thin, so don't 
know if this'll work or not for your problem.  I have, though, heated the 
scaly steel to a dull red, slathered on flux, then heated to a yellow, 
followed by a brushing...seems to get off more scale that way.

Jerry V
Williamsburg