Ted T

Joseff, Welcome to IFI. Yep! It took this time. As you feel more comfortable about giving us a little more information about your self, it will help us know "How you may be able to help us" or, how we may serve you in some way. I would suggest to you that you review this site carefully. Glenn has accumulated a lot of information about blacksmithing (Black Gold). The site is just being re-built and is not totally intact yet. So stand by, the best is yet to come (now that your here). The best to ya. Be safe! Rusty Ted

Hello, and welcome to IFI eb450. Sounds like your right "on Track". I hope you will share a few things with us as you develope. We would enjoy having photographs of what your doing. I would like to mention that on Tuesday evenings we have a "Live Demo" of Blueprints covering all different types of blacksmithing topics. Please join us. There are a lot of wonderful blacksmiths found all over this world, and a lot of them call IFI home. Now, you can to! Be safe! Rusty Ted

Pault17, My advice and my vote would be to

Ironmike, I also want to welcome you to IFI. It was nice to chat with you the other night. I hope you will be willing to share some of what you have learned over the past years with us. We like photos. Hint, Hint! ..........Hint. Be safe! (Old Rusty Ted)

Ed, You have arrived! WOW!

Grumpy Pete, I also welcome you to IFI. Sounds like you have been traveling down blacksmith road to IFI for quite a while. I am glad you made it! I hope you will be willing to teach us some of what you have (slowley learned.... Step by Step), over the past 5-years. Like Thomas Dean said "We Like Pictures", Hint,Hint,.....Hint. Be safe! Ted

Julian, You have raised the bar. Your knives are beautifuly crafted. Keep on keeping on! Be safe! Ted

Jmercier, Your are a true "acquisitionist". (AAA) I would like to visit and play in your shop some day. Is that large pipe about to be lined with Koawool? I saw a whole lot of potential laying around!! You are a busy man. Thanks for the photos. Remember to take the time to enjoy the process. Be safe! Ted

Trecamp (Kevin), Welcome to IFI. Your introduction says it all. You will fit right in. I am an acquisitionist also. I have been for over 50 years! I was reluctant to tell my mother though. There is so much to learn that I still consider my self as a beginner, a wannabe, or anything else anybody would want to call me that is to do with the blacksmithing craft. Sounds to me like you have the humor that allows a person to have fun at what you do. I am just like you in that I just love what I do, and I am open to learn all I can. I even have as much fun as somebody who knows what they are doing. I like to keep blacksmithing fun. Even the 12 step “Tool Junkie” program I attended was not able to help me. It sounds to me like they haven’t been able to help you either. I am not sure, but it sounds like you invited me to hang out at your smithy! Be safe! Ted

Donnie, Welcome to IFI. As a welder/blacksmith you have hit the jackpot when you landed here at IFI. Maybe I am just slow, but the IFI site is so full of information that I could spend hours reviewing the different blacksmithing categories. I try to absorb it all, but Glenn keeps adding Blueprints to the site every day. Its just good stuff! Just for your information, we have a live demo on Tuesday nights. A lot of the blueprints are exhibited there. If you have any questions about anything, just post your question or go to the chat room. We have blacksmiths/ knife makers who visit often. They range from world class to beginners. They have answered my questions in real time. Please share anything with us that would help us become better craftsman at our blacksmithing hobby / trade. Most of us like photos. Hint, hint! Be safe! Ted

Ron, I had no idea you had been out of work! Being out of work sucks at best. But I am glad to hear you have a job again. The best to you! Be safe! Ted

Jmercier, Welcome to IFI. You have no doubt reviewed the IFI site. After seeing the photo of your shop, I believe you know that you’re heading in the right direction. If you are willing to share information with us about your shops progress or projects you’re working on, please do. Most of us love photos. We would appreciate any input that would broaden our base of knowledge of the craft. I am in the "acquisition" mode also. It has been a problem for me for well over 50 years. Most of my tools and supportive equipment are considered un-necessary, or junk to other people. But to me, they represent how I define my life. I don’t know this, but I would bet you will never depart from the “acquisition” mode! Don’t tell your wife that! I hope you will always think about blacksmithing as just FUN! Be safe! Ted

Finnr, Welcome to IFI. I am just starting to follow through with an idea I got about 6 yrs. ago. And that was to combine wood with metal. It has taken me this long to get started with it. I am designing a BBQ table that has two wagon wheels on it so it looks like a small chuck wagon. The forged metal joinery combined with the wood gives it a simple basic look of our recent past! I have no idea how advanced you are in blacksmithing, but here at IFI you are among people who are at all levels of the craft (beginners to world class). You have no doubt checked out the IFI web site. There is more being added to it all the time. I feel IFI has given me a place to ask questions in real time by using the chat room, or by posting a question in the forum. I have got quick, accurate and understandable responses. I would suggest that you review the Blueprint Section carefully so you will know what is available. New Blueprints are being posted all of the time! We welcome all suggestions or tips that you would be willing to share with us. Most of us love photos of what you are doing. Remember, Make sure you charge enough, and don’t strike cold steel! ~ Just kidding! Be safe! Ted

Blackbeard, Welcome to IFI. You have the opportunity to bring the craft of Blacksmithing back to South Africa. I mean that. Of course it depends on you goals and priorities. But it is a thought to consider! Please feel free to ask questions. We are lucky to have many skilled blacksmiths and knife makers on this site. Be safe! Ted

Sven, Welcome to IFI. Sounds like you are in good hands already. Thanks for sharing with us. Your work speaks very good English! Be safe! Ted

Denis, Welcome to IFI. No matter what other orginization you join, I suggest you stay active with using this site. We have world class blacksmiths and knife makers who post, and use the chat room most every day! You will be able to get information about blacksmithing or knife making in real time! Or, post your question as you did, you will also get a lot of help here! For starters, I suggest that you look in the blueprint section under (BP0133). It shows you how to make a forge out of a 55 gal. drum. Be Safe! Ted

Tyler, You amaze me, but never surprise me! I love to see the things you create! Be safe! Ted

Kallsme’n, Thank You for the post. Sharing your photos with us is a part of what makes IFI interesting and informative. I am half Swedish. So maybe I could forge something half as large as that. “Just kidding”. Ted Throckmorton (English) Mothers side = Jensen (Swedish) Thanks again! Be safe!

Ryan28801, Keep on making knives and ugly sticks, but please keep on showing us your work. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I was watching the discovery channel last night. They said the difference between a sword and a knife was kind of a personal interpretation. It depended on how you felt you could fight with it, close or far away. So, your ugly stick could be a .....? Knife, or sword? Just kidding! Thanks for the photos! Be safe! Ted

Whisperkiller, I was fortunate enough to talk to you this am. in the chat room. I feel you’re on the right track toward getting a good start in blacksmithing. You are fortunate that now day’s, information and help is readily available. My suggestions toward you getting started: You mentioned that “We have a guild that meets in Jackson, MS, and they meet once a month”. I am not clear about if you have attended a guild meeting yet. If you haven’t, I would not buy any tools or other equipment until you do. The guild members will most likely point you in the right direction to get you started so you won’t waist time and money. Based on what you have said, I suggest that you stay tuned to this web site, become familiar with all it has to offer while making plans to attend your Blacksmith Guild. It was nice to chat with you. I hope you will follow your dream. Be safe, be safe! Ted