Welcome South African Highveld

[Glenn]

Welcome to the IForgeiron. This is your forum to show the world who you are and what you do. Please post your events. news, etc, to keep others informed about your group.

[Wim]

Glen, Thanks for opening the Forum for us. This is a real breakthru' for us. The Forge In at Coenraad Vegter, aka "The real Ystervegter Forge In" occurred on 31st of March 2007, I have a number of photo's from that event to post.
Regards, Wim.

[Glenn]

In the IForgeIron Gallery > Blacksmithing Events > I have set up a folder called Ystervegter Forge In for the photos from your event.

First box "Choose a category to upload your images to" use the pull down menu and select Blacksmithing Events > Ystervegter Forge In for each photo. If you have any problems, contact me.

[Wim]

When I started the adventure of becoming an Artist Blacksmith, around July last year, I thought I was the only one on the continent of Africa. I did not know where to start.
A year later I now have made friends with 10 Blacksmiths and their families, from Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Freestate and the North West province.
We are a great bunch, have had 3 big events with over 15 people, as well as a few weekends, where one smith invites another for a weekend of bashing and sleeping over. It is at these events that not only a lot is learned of the Blacksmith trade, also frienships are forged, and you build a network of contacts, that helps getting a hold of books, ideas, tools and materials. Most important, you have so much fun together, and your life ends up being richer for it.

Therefore I urge every South African smith, male or female, young or old, wherever you are, whether you are a professional, a novice, or a wannabee, to contact me via this route.
We can help each other, we can do something, to bring this beautiful trade of Blacksmithing back to life in this outpost of the Global Village.
We can make a contribution to the international community of Blacksmiths. (Did I hear an amen?)

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Wim

[yesteryearforge]

Ill give you one
AMEN

[Ted T]

Wim,
This note is to welcome you and all of the blacksmiths from South African to IFI.
I am a member of the IFI blacksmith family just as you are now.
IFI is user friendly for all new blacksmiths (just starting out) on up to master smiths.
All anybody has to do is “Just Ask a Question”, and an answer, or answers are usually on its way in a short time.
I have observed that we have craftsman here on IFI that specialize in Blade Smithing (knife and sword makers), Farriers, Ornamental Iron Crafters, Machinists, Repousse, Tin and copper and General Blacksmithing.
Most blacksmiths I have encountered here at IFI feel secure enough in their knowledge of the craft to share information freely.
This is a very good place to be connected to if you are a blacksmith or want to be a blacksmith.
Wim, I look forward to seeing your aspirations (that South Africans would become strong and united in the Blacksmithing community) come full circle.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

[Blackbeard]

Hiya Wim
Im glad you joined this forum. I also started doing blacksmithing, started forging this year. Ive built my own forge and basically learned from sites like ifi and books. Ive also been to Cape Town to see Conrad Hicks. He is giving a 5day blacksmithing class in August. He does great work!
I have already contacted you and I am looking foreward to meeting you. It is wonderfull that you have started this group- I hope blacksmithing here in SA makes a comeback!
Bb

[Candidquality]

Welcome aboard, Hopefully we have a bit of knowledge to share with you, and you might share a bit of what you've learned with us. I do have one pressing question. What exactly is the meaning of Highveld?

[Wim]

Thanks Candidquality, I really feel welcome,
The Highveld is an elevated plain about 5000 feet above Sealevel and it covers a large part of the South African Inland. Veld is a dutch word for field. It includes Johannesburg Pretoria, and a large area of about 250 mile radius around it. Look it up in a Map of the world, showing geographical features.

The blacksmiths in our group all stay more or less in this region. I drive about 4 hours to get to the most remote one.

Hope this answers your burning question,

Keep the fire burning, Wim

[dave davelaar]

sa dutchman now an american im delighted to hear from south african smiths welcome a board dave davelaar nwba