Ted T

Dav, Nice, nice knives. (Try saying that real fast, 3-times in a row). Just kidding! But I am not kidding when I say that I find your design concept is interesting and artistic. Because of the skilled knife makers found on IFI, I have turned my attention toward wanting to learn to make knives myself. I am getting the idea that forging and finishing a knife, is kind of like blacksmithing on steroids. Be safe, be safe! Ted

Larry, I have been to Toms shop. Just to walk around his shop is a treat. They do some good stuff at their meetings. I may try to go also. You may find the Moab, Utah area very interesting to visit also. Be Safe, be safe!

olfiar, I would suggest that in addition to all of the other excellent suggestions, I would also suggest that you also contact the "Rocky Mountain Smiths" Colorado Smiths. They are all around you. They are a good group of Smiths. I know they would be of great help. Contact: Kalah May, RMS Editor PO Box 1736 Bailey, CO 80421

Skunkriv, Thank You. My bag has been out of marbles for about 50 years. I have managed to kept my wallet empty also. Hummmm, I am not sure, but there may be a correlation between the two. But I have had fun emptying my bag of marbles. Be safe! Ted

Glowell, I second everything Larry said! But, with an additional “heads-up”. Please be advised that this site is going through some transition to upgrade some features that will be available soon. As a result, some existing features may not work for you. They are doing the work while the site up and running. Therefore you may not be able to review the site in its entirety. So, hang in for awhile. Be safe! Ted

Mike, I not only have taken the time to look at your knife, but I studied your knife. Without any questions your skills have placed you on the “top side of the bar of excellence”. I find your creation (the Stag Hunter Knife) is not only pleasing to my eye, but it looks as though it would be functional for general use. This forum is very fortunate to have such fine blade smiths such as you and Rich. I am learning slowly, but I have learned a lot from the conversations you have with Rich. Thank You for taking the time to answer the questions we ask you on the chat. Be safe! Ted

Very, very nice. Thank You for sharing.

Sam, I like it. Thanks for being willing to keep us updated on your projects. I find them very interesting and informative. Keep Hammering and showing! Be safe! Ted

Dav, I'm pleased you decided to introduce your self. It adds to my awareness of how small this world is when we hear from members such as your self. I have seen the common bond of blacksmithing, knife makers, farriers, and metal workers of all types, unconditionally draw people together with similar mind sets. It has created a very strong bond at times with people I have met. It brings to mind a fellow I will never forget that lives in Canada. He is French Canadian. His association brought a lot of cultural enhancement and whit into my life. I hope we will hear more from you again. Good hunting, and be safe! Ted

Quenchcrack, You have my attention! Believe me, I would always make sure I called you before I visit! Sounds like Smith and Wesson has the last word, er I mean noise. To bad everybody didn't think like you! Be safe! Ted

Mrs. Irn, Welcome! Glad to meet you. I have an enormous amount of respect for your husband and an appreciation for the knowledge he shares with us. I believe he is a key part of the backbone of this forum. I pay attention to what ever he says. Now this is for YOU! Behind every good man, is a good woman! Be safe! Ted

Thomas I see what you mean when you speak of “Caveat emptor”. I have just allowed myself to be taken in by Lincoln Electric Co. I only saw a photograph of an item. When I got it here, it was way different than what I thought it was supposed to be. It must have been designed and manufactured by Mickey Mouse Inc. Like you mentioned, "there is a sucker born every minute". My problem is that I have been re-born too many times. I apologize for not being more descriptive with my observations of what blacksmithing tools mean to me. My statement “a sense of honesty that reflects our predecessor’s durable work ethics" was not meant as broad inference about life as you have wisely mentioned. My thinking at that time was only a narrow band of thought. I was thinking about the people I knew who used anvils and blacksmith tools. People like my grandfather, the blacksmiths who help train me, and a whole lot of friends past and present who use the tools. It meant nothing beyond that. I not only learned some things about blacksmithing and welding, but I also learned about work ethics from them. Thanks for the comment. Be safe! Ted

Tom, The price you paid for your anvil sounds like a real bargain. During the period of time you are testing the waters of blacksmithing, I would suggest you may want to use this anvil (as is) for a while. If you decide to pursue blacksmithing more aggressively, that may be the time to make a more informed decision of weather to invest in buying another anvil or to repair this one. I would not discount the suggestions given by the other blacksmiths on this forum. I take their opinions seriously. I think they had some good ideas. If you buy another anvil, you could always keep this one as a show piece and let this one supervise the new anvil. (Just kidding!). I have had up to 14 anvils. I reluctantly sold most of them. Blacksmithing tools have a special meaning to me. To me, an anvil represents a sense of honesty that reflects our predecessors’ durable work ethics. Be safe! Ted

Thomas, I feel bad that my great mind did not come up with that idea first, or anytime! But, I am glad you did. Good Idea! I learn something, and some times a whole lot of things every time I visit this forum. That is why I belong to IFI. Be safe! Ted

Ron and Irnsrgn, Makes me sick to see that. To bad we could not help people like that in some way with (at least) eye protection. I guess a guy has to do what he has to do to make a living! What a price they have to pay. Very sad indeed. We can at least keep reminding each other to use our safety equipment. Be safe! Ted

Ron, After reviewing the smoke cannon concept, I think it is a nice approach, although I feel it is way over priced. Due to necessity I have built something similar to it before. The problem with using it inside would be that the products of combustion would be re-distributed in to an enclosed environment, or that the products of combustion would have to be vented to the outside. That means that in the winter you would have to allow at least an equal amount of air to flow into the shop. During the winter months here, we experience -30 and -35 below at night with a -4 degree high in the day. I cannot work with it being that cold any more. 50 years ago I did! Due to serious lung problems (Reactive Lung Disease), I need every advantage I can get to protect myself. There is no work to be found out here where I live for this old man. So I have to create a job for myself. The only thing I know how to do is blacksmithing and welding. Just two years ago I about died from lung problems. It cost me over $20,000.00 dollars out of pocket in just three months to pay doctors and hospitals. They were of no help. It wiped out my savings for nothing in return, and that is why I need to start up a new shop again at this time in my life. I don’t know if I will fall flat on my face trying to run a shop again, but I do know I need to be able weld in order to make a shop productive. My first line of defense is to use an (N-99) mask/filter. I bought a special shaped welding hood/mask so that it fits well. Due to my lung problems I have studied everything I can find about maintaining a fresh air environment for when I weld. Opening a window and a door to your shop does not necessarily guarantee fresh air. It depends on how large the shop, door and window is, and where they are located. Sometimes the open door and window concept just creates a mixing situation. From what I have read, they recommend that you should bring in fresh air from a low point into your shop opposite the location of your exiting vent. The exiting vent should be located at a high point. That way, the warm air carries the fumes up and out. The down side to venting your shop in the winter is that you will loose your heat. When I weld out side in the winter, or when it is freezing cold inside the shop (among other things), I have problems with fog build up in my face shield. Due to my extreme problems with my lungs, and my need to keep the shop warm, just two days ago I bought a Lincoln (Mini-flex) fume extractor with brackets, and air scoop. I paid about $1,550.00 for it. I am going to try to use it today. That is a lot of money. But compared to the over $20,000.00 out of pocket the doctors and hospital charged me, this may be a bargain for me. Be safe! Ted

irnsrgn, Thank you. I never thought of that. I am going to call my family members and pass that information on. I have seven daughters. Be safe! Ted

Skunkriv, I also want to welcome you. It was enjoyable to talk to you last night on the chat. Because of people like your self who are advocates of this site, it is on a fast track to becoming a foundation of useful information, communications, and just a fun place to visit for the blacksmith and metal worker. Be safe! Ted

Sam, If you were a weapons maker during the Viking’s time period, I would bet you could sell the “Dinosaur Necked Knife/Cleavers” like hot cakes. I know I would have wanted one. Just pulling it out into view would scare the enemy away! I love the outcome of your design. Its “bad to the bone” Thank you for sharing. Be safe! Ted