BOB T

I did acquire the Wrought Iron from the bridge, what I got was the Tension Rods , flat bar, square, and round ... A supply that will last me the rest of my forging days. I put a couple pictures of the Bar stock that I broke to test it ..Probably will be sell some , not sure how much? I will have to decide how much I want to keep for my self first

If I end up getting some WI ? I will bring you some provided I do the class at Arc & Flame Center in January...most of WI is around 1" in size( dia.).. round and square ...some flat bar too

I may have an change to pick up some Wrought Iron from an old bridge about 150 years old ..I was wondering what`s a fair price to pay for WI ?? I did get a sample piece and cut it to do the "break test" (see pictures)... I may sell some of the WI depending on how much I get ??....thanks

Forged these Hawks from Wagon tires . I `am pretty sure the old wagon tires are NOT Wrought Iron but nice low carbon steel to work with. I used 1075 carbon steel for the bit/cutting edge and Curly Maple handle ..I enjoy forge the Hawks

I got a bottle of Plum brown and tried it for a finish , I didn't like it very much. Plus was not very durable, I was able to wipe the rust finish off pretty easy with just wet rag. I do like the Gun Blue finish the best so far . A couple of pictures of the Hawks with handles

I will be trying the "hot" browning on one of the tomahawks in the future , I `am hopefully the finish will be a more chocolate brown finish ?? I will post pictures for viewing when I get it done

I think I may try t he "hot" Plum browning that I used on my Muzzle loading barrels and see what that looks like ??but so far the cold gun blue is what I 'am liking

A couple different finishes on my Tomahawks ,both were put in Muriatic acid for cleaning. One has Pema Blue (gun blue) as a finish .The other was sprayed with Hydrogen Peroxide after coming out of the Muriatic acid. I 'am not sure I like the Rust type finish??Tthe rust one is Wrought Iron. I thought I would ask you guys your opinions ?? And also what type of finish you use?? Thanks

I have been to Campbell several time doing blacksmithing classes (all in old shop) .I when to Elmer shop and met him but never have taken his Viking class ..May have to put that on me to do list??Good job on your projects ..

Thanks on the comment , I really like doing making the Tomahawks and have sold a few on Etsy. I been thinking about possible doing a small axe or hatchet before trying the Viking axe like we did in the class?? Yeah, WI doesn't like bends very well . I have some 5160 I bought at Quad-State but haven't used it from the cutting edge/bits ..readied were it can be a problem in forged welding ?? I know it doesn't like welding to it self

A few pictures of my Tomahawk , I used Wrought Iron (wagon tire) for the "body" and 1075 for the bit . I folded and welded the Wrought Iron to refine the grain a couple of times . I got 8 of the Wrought Iron wagon tires at an auction last fall cheap , so good supply to making Hawks .The handle is Curly Maple.

I just used Folgers coffee to etch the blade ,no cream or sugar..lol Nothing special ,the way I drink it .I have a Keurig that I used to make the coffee . I really didn't keep track of the time I etch the blade, probably around 90 minutes there about ??? bobasaurus....The only heat I used was the hot coffee , just hot coffee from the coffee maker ,no extra heating ..All I did was clean the blade and put an wax/ oil on it.

There's some pictures of my first Damascus blade, didn't have a lot of the material to make a large knife, so did what I call a "cheese knife" in the shape of a meat cleaver. The total length including the handle of 6 1/2" and the width of the blade in 1 1/2". 80 layers and twisted , the steel I used was 1084 ,1075 and 15n 20 ..Etch in black coffee . Happy how it turned out , Not sure how much knife making I will do??? I 'am not into a lot of grinding, sanding and polish..

Contact Gary Riss in Streator, IL 815-672-2634 for coal or Mike Bost in Rockford, IL 815-978-8090..both have good blacksmithing coal. Mod Note: Tell them IForgeIron sent you.

Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association ..web site.... umba.name We have an winter even in South Beloit in Feb ,details on the web site