Du7ch

I certainly could, but I do still use it when I have the rare opportunity to put hammer to steel. Certain projects require certain tools. I believe you taught me that Thomas. Along with the fact that if you don't have the tool, make it; Even black steel is hot; THIS is the pointy end; if there's a Thomas, there's a way... Too many to list!

I personally have a medley of large scrap that I use in place of an anvil, often, more than the Peterwright I currently possess (Borrowed). I started with a square 8x8x3" block, and have added a cylinder 6" tall and 4" diameter. These are my go to equipment. I leave these out, while I have to lock the anvil away for fear of thieves and keeping in accordance with the borrow agreement. My advise, keep an eye out for the large scrap. It's extremely affordable and extremely customizable.

Frosty, long side tracks are where you get the best of the story! Every post you have gets my mind spinning!

Many anvil stumps have been passed up as I drove past them on the highway in the wife's car and when I returned in my truck, are gone. "Perfect" blocks of wood waiting for me to grab, and most likely became firewood for someone else. I've made it a habit to constantly scour the side of the road when driving for scraps, whether it be rebar or spring. However in my mind, Safety always is the priority. If the acquisition could cause troubles or personal injury, I pass it by.

​I've used my Wiley X gloves as oven mitts on multiple occasions. lol.

Being military, I'm forced to wear gloves at nearly all times. Forging is a situation where I prefer not to, as that is how I was taught. I do like a tighter fit when it comes to gloves, as with all of my uses, I need flexibility, protection and dexterity. Loading rounds into a magazine in subzero temps with barehands is foolish, doing it with the wrong gloves loses time. I like cutting and stitching the figertips from typically the thumb, and index, occasionally the middle fingers. "Mechanix" brand is fairly decent if you find the right type, but Oakley, Wiley X, and Under Armour have wonderful gloves. With the flame protection, look into the nomex/fire retardant gloves. Keep in mind that these gloves are not cheap, but do the trick. As far as low cost, HWooldridge and Michael have the right idea... Leather work gloves, close fitting and preferably with a wrist draw string or half sleeve to keep any hot items from falling into the glove (Trust me, you DO NOT want that to happen!)

Mad Max, Keep in mind what several others above stated, it's material you were able to secure with little time or effort. You can mess with it to learn the hard way on how to work stainless steel, and not be out anything in material that you didn't have before, gaining instead, a working knowledge of the difficulties of this alloy. Another option, should you have the resources nearby, is to take it to the local scrap yard, (hopefully one you have a working relation with) and either scrap and get something from their pile that you know how to work, or do a trade, depending on the scrap rates in your area. Sometimes a easily fashioned bottle opener or a six pack for the workers will open doors you never knew were there. However, should you decide to forge with the stainless, please let us know how it goes! We LOVE to see pictures and read stories of how each other did what we did. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing what you decide and how you do!

Very beautiful! Great display of fullering and nice clean lines. I truly hope you tested the opener to ensure the quality was up to par!

Frosty, I'd love to move up that way myself but I'm being forced to settle down in Idaho where my wife and I grew up. Lol

My wife already denied my desire to move down under and join the army there. Lots of word up here that us American troops are welcomed into your forces.

I've been trying to get both of them to move west for awhile now!

Thanks buddy... my wife was looking over my shoulder and saw that... the unfinished bracelet I have due to working long late hours dims compared to that! Now she's going around the house trying to find things I can make or fix. Good news is she'll allow me to go get more charcoal and forge tomorrow.

That looks mighty fine! As my signature states... find a way or make one!

Absolutely stunning!

Frosty, I believe you also have family in southern Idaho (a sister?) And I'm originally from that area and visit a couple times a year. I'm army, so I know how to feeda large group! Unrestricted use of the anvil currently residing at your house.