Steven K.

Great picture! Beautiful anvil. I have a Peter Wright - Solid Wrought of the same era! Peter Wrights have a classic shape.

JMC, The top item in your picture is a forged Plow Coulter Knife. I worked for The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown and repaired two plows that used them. I made one replacement Coulter that looked exactly like your picture. The ones I looked at in our collection were all wrought without steeled edges. Sod is very abrasive, and the wrought iron coulter knife was reforged to sharpness when needed. The round iron rings are Hub Bands, and bind the center wheel hub together to prevent checks and cracking from the pressure of the spokes. You can see one plow I repaired here: http://ruralblacksmith.blogspot.com/2010/04/finishing-1830s-horse-drawn-plow.html The coulter knife on this plow is curved, not straight. It cuts the sod in front of the plow point. Today we use disk coulters because they stay sharp longer and don't get stuck on roots. You can see a plow like the one that Coulter Knife was from in use here: http://ruralblacksmith.blogspot.com/2010/04/fresh-tilled-soil-using-1830s-horse.html Great stuff!

Greenbeast, your are right! It didn't make much sense at the time either. I was using a bellows and coal forge in a 185 year old stone blacksmith shop. He was implying to his kids that it was a fake forge fire and all just an act. I was amused, as I was forge welding when he came in the door. I count that as real Blacksmithing, not acting!

I also worked in a Museum Blacksmith shop demonstrating. The most common questions were: "It that a coal fire?", "Why does the iron glow?", "How hot is it?", "How long does it take to make a nail or horseshoe?" Those kids and adults want to understand what you are doing but it is really out of their realm of experience. And being in a rural area, I expected farm kids to know what a hoe was used to do. Then the farm kids pointed out their tractor used a 12 bottom plow and cultipacker. No hand tools on a modern farm! But kids with parents that gardened knew how a shovel and hoe were used! But we also got regular questions like: "Is that real fire", "Are you a real Blacksmith?" Questions from the curious but not observant. And then the disbelievers! "No kids, the fire isn't real. There is a gas line hidden in the bellows." That is when I would pull a hot clinker from the fire, drop it in the slack tub, and then hand it to them along with some coal and coke. Most of the time people want to learn, but don't know what to ask. It can get frustrating answering those questions all day. I love hearing the questions other people have been asked!

Great pictures David! Did either of these bellows use floating ribs to support the leather?

We have a Sheffield Vulcan at the Peleg Fields Shop in The Farmers' Museum, Cooperstown. It is shown in our blog: http://ruralblacksmith.blogspot.com/2011/02/old-anvils.html Ours is an early transitional anvil. Hand forged and not as chunky as an early Mousehole anvil, but not as streamlined as a Peter Wright London pattern. Since it is an early anvil we only use it for light work. Ours is around 120-130lbs. -Steve

Matthew, What part of Canada are you in currently? I am in central NY, which in not far from most of Ontario and Western Quebec. As you travel think about offering to demonstrate at local and regional Blacksmith's organization meetings. The Adirondack chapter of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths frequently meets near Odgensburg, NY. That may be close enough for you to come for a day trip. Demonstrating may be a way to travel for free, get lodging for a week at a time, and make a money for travel expenses. I am a professional Blacksmith that does historic and restoration work in a Museum. Many Blacksmiths in the U.S. are serious hobbyists. Your formal training will be appreciated by the folks you visit. On the East Coast there are many kinds and varieties of Blacksmithing, but much of it is rooted in American Colonial style. That is much different than your Art training. There will things that you can demonstrate that may seem ordinary to you but that are new to the audience! Finally, keep in touch. I can connect you with my local groups. I also work at The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown. I could talk to my boss about a short "Visiting Smith" internship. It would probably only provide lodging for a week or two. You would work in our historic shop with me. You could probably also sell some small custom work at the same time. We often have visitors looking for door latch repairs and garden art. But it would give you a base for a little while! Best wishes! Steve Kellogg

Hannes, That is a great vice! It has much larger and stronger side plates that the English style vices most here in the U.S. are used to seeing. Ours seldom have a square leg either! It is nice to see different styles of construction in Blacksmithing tools. Welcome from Northern New York! Steve

Bruce, We sell good bituminous from the Blacksmith Shop. Aubuchon Hardware stores will also special order it by the bag for you. There are some in the area, but I don't know how far they are from you. Other Blacksmiths may sell you a bucket too. Michael McCarthy in Ames may have coal to sell.

Bruce, Welcome to the craft! It may be a useful addition to your welding knowledge. You will probably be able to build a lot of your own tools as you get started. I am the Blacksmith at The Farmers's Museum in Cooperstown. The museum is closed right now, but reopens in March on Sundays for our Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfasts. I'll be in the shop every Sunday in March, and will start having two day classes then too. There are a number of smiths throughout the Mohawk Valley, both hobbyists and professionals. You are not alone in the craft! There are great resources and ideas here on this site as well.