Horse-shoe-nail-spoon-jig

[Mr Smith]

G'day guys!

Here's another of my how-tos. I'll do some more, so, If you have any requests, suggestions, let me know.

We use this tool at *every* demo - it always gets a good response. Folks want something they can take home with them, that doesn't cost more than loose change ($1AUD = $0.75USD approx), and we're happy to oblige.

Glenn : I'm working on a BP for medieval cloak pins. It *should* be in your inbox 'bout this time tomorrow

As per usual - comments suggestions,etc to the usual place (me).
Enjoy!

[Ian]

Mick,
what are these spoons for? From the pictures they look like doll's furniture... charms or pendants maybe? Keyfobs? I like the idea don't get me wrong at all, just wondered what you told the folks they could use them for.

[Crackers]

G'day Ian, I'm sure Michael won't mind if I answer your question about our little spoons made from a number 7 horseshoe nail. We make them with a small eye, so they can be hung an a key ring or a necklace etc. At this year's Perth Royal Show (last month), we sold them attached to a key ring for $2 ea. They prove to be very popular. The idea was started by our founder (Jo Mazzarol) several years ago. It takes us about three minutes to make one and most people are quite willing to stand and watch one being made. At $2 ea.they're cheap and many people like to buy something that they've just watched being made. Besides, number 7, horseshoe, they've got to be lucky! Regards, Brian.

[Ian]

Aha!
Thanks Brian, I could see those being a good little demo seller I've made leaves for keyrings or pendants, a little bigger than the horse shoe nail spoon but not much slower to make while someone watches.

[Crackers]

Hey Michael, many thanks for posting that excellent little drawing of our spoon jig, well done! If anyone has any more questions or suggestions regarding these spoons, please let us know. Regards, Brian.

[Crackers]

Hey Ian, at the Royal Show, I was making small leaves from 8mm. round rod, to hang on key rings. We were trying to sell them for $10 ea. but a lot of people thought our price was a bit too high, so we reduced them to $7 ea. They take me about twenty five minutes to make. I was taught how to make these by Graham Askew, from the Artist Blacksmith's Association of N.S.W. Perhaps you've met him? Cheers, Brian.

[Ian]

Yes I have, met him at the Hot Iron Muster at Logan Village, really nice bloke. Showed me the leaves he does as well, very similar to one of the type I do, lot of work with a fairly sharp straight peen to get the texture. I liked them a lot. Also liked the collection of tools he had photo's of, real tool junkie

[keykeeper]

We had a couple of those for auction at the Appalachian Blacksmith Association Fall Conference in October. They were made by a member that said they were great little demo items, especially with children watching.

They attached a card that stated a legend about being used in Medievel times by women to measure their spices while cooking. Sounds viable to me!

Could we get a better pic of the tooling used to make 'em?

[Mr Smith]

Sure thing!

Any parts of it in particular?

I'll take a bunch of shots when I go in Sunday, and post the best

[easilyconfused]

I've also heard that it was for measuring out spice and for good luck. They were a big seller at a renasiance (sp?) fair I was a spectator at. That's the only spot I've seen them made and each one brought in about $2-$5 at the silent auction. Of course it was a charity event, which tends to lubricate tight wallets.