[TheForge] Swage Blocks

[Dave Brown]

At 10:46 01/14/03 -0500, you wrote:look nice.  Is anyone familiar with the 
quality and finish of the Saltfork Craftmen's block?   Bill

Bill,

The last description I gave was actually for the Saltfork swage block that 
I bought at the ABANA conference in LaCrosse.  All of the comments remain 
as stated except that I described the wrong block.  Finishing is required.

My Kankakee block (a Roger Lorance product) was somewhat better finished, 
but still needed grinding and general sanding to clean it up.  Unlike the 
Saltfork block, the mold separation line wasn't as noticeable and the mold 
half alignment was better.  I like the shovel shape better (it's a plain 
sided shovel, the Saltfork shovel blank has a high waist and flairs down 
like a skirt.  But still, I don't use the shovel blank on this block 
either.  The Kankakee block is smaller than the Saltfork and is held easily 
in my 7" leg vise.  Price wise, though, you get more for your money with 
the Saltfork block.

I think I have both of these blocks because I got the Kankakee first, but 
the Saltfork has a wider selection of half-rounds.  Otherwise I like the 
small size of the Kankakee.

Dave Brown
Heritage Smithing
Green Bay, WI
ABANA, UMBA, GoM, MODA, ARG