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Ted T

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Everything posted by Ted T

  1. I think what you are doing is a great thing. But; make sure you protect yourself legally. I am not an attorney, I have just have had some prior experience. Based on my experience, I feel that it would be important for you to truly understand the liability issues that are possible. Not just someone’s unfounded opinion. I suggest that you check with your homeowners insurance. I found out that the boy scouts insurance does not eliminate the right for third party recovery. You may consider taking portable equipment over to a location of their choice to conduct the process as to reduce your liability. Make sure you cover all safety issues such as Personal Safety Equipment. Set up your rules of conduct and safety, make sure all of the rules are understood, and then enforce your rules of conduct and safety. Rules should include but not limited to wearing the proper safety equipment at all times, no horseplay, do not pick up or touch steel (Black HOT) without permission, and such as that. Make sure you have an adult to assist you at all times. The reason I would even respond to this topic is because #1. I care, #2. I was an investigator for a living. I found that it is only takes a very, very small percent to mess things up for the majority. So for that very small percent who do not listen, nor care, all of the above must be considered. I wish you the best at what you are doing, but be fully informed!
  2. Your frankness and truthfulness impresses me. I have had a similar experience when I trained with a great man named “Naham Hersom” in Boise Idaho. After about 50 years of blacksmithing, I was shocked at how much I really did not know. It was an eye opener. When you find you’re self confronted with highly trained and talented people; all of a sudden if you are honest with yourself, your mind tells you that “you did not know that you did not know what you thought you knew. Once you are aware that you have much more to learn, then your mind opens up and you will start learning. If a person insists on keeping the old bad habits and junk craftsmanship in their minds, it leaves no room for new and accurate information to settle into. I have no doubt that you will become proficient in what you have been fortunate enough too learn from the very best. Your attitude says that. I wish you the very best, but make sure you share with the rest! Ted Throckmorton
  3. Joe, you have got the heart of a teacher. Not only do you make useful videos for our benefit, but you are quick to bring other blacksmiths expertise to our attention. Thank you! You are among the many very unselfish and giving people found here at I Forge Iron that makes it all work! My best to you! Ted Throckmorton
  4. Fondy Iron Blacksmiths Attitude is everything!!!! You have exhibited a great attitude of someone who is ready and willing to learn. And now I am sure that you will do well! With your attitude, people on this site will bend over backwards to assist you as you learn. All they want is someone who is willing and respectful about the time and effort they give to help someone with. I may have sounded kind of firm in my response to you, but I meant it for your own good. I have observed many people over many years who have stuck with it, and some who did not. This is my 60th year at this. I have worked my way back to being a blacksmith wannabe myself. So we are even! It seemed to me that most people, who got a good guided start with a blacksmith from the start, seemed to stay with the craft. I would not be accurate to say that people who started out with minimal tools and no instruction always did not do well at blacksmithing. I have seen many people who have, and they did very well. And some who even excelled! I have been asked to teach a time or two. So I was made aware of the same basic common experience of what it had cost them to learn by themselves. Lots of unproductive time, some wasted material, and they had to pay the price of learning about safety the hard way. And they also burned up a lot of time, and learned some real good bad habits that had to be re-adjusted. Now Get Busy!! My best to you Ted Throckmorton (Blacksmith Wannabe)
  5. I realize you want to jump into the heart of the matter to see if you would like to learn the craft of blacksmithing or knife making. That being the condition; I suggest that you could cut through the chase by using your time and energy by finding a blacksmith near you and spend some time observing the process. I could not find where you live. If you would have gave information about where you lived, I would have inserted information about where you may find a blacksmith near you. Next best thing: So click on this URL and see if you can find a blacksmith near you: http://www.iforgeiro...hing-groups-r75 A lot of questions will be answered if you make the effort and use that approach. It may save you time and money if you are not interested in doing blacksmithing/blademaking. Getting off to a bad cheep start (on your own) does not always tell an accurate story. If you learn it incorrectly, you will have to take more time to un-learn and re-learn the proper way to forge along with safety measures. If you find the right person to spend some time with, you will see how it is really done and then you could make a better informed decision at that time. Trying to do it cheap is not always the answer, and in the long run it is not always cheaper. There is a cost to learn any craft. Such as time, money, sweat, burns, noise, STUDY, and the sacrifice your priority use of time and money. I also suggest that you take advantage of the thousands of posts found on this site. It takes personal effort, but personal effort has been spent by many to assist all of us to shorten the learning curve. Take some study time and learn about what is here and have a learning opportunity! I wish you the best!
  6. I am excited and pleased that you are going to provide another opportunity for people to discover and be presented with face to face information of the skills required in Blade making. To obtain the fundamental tools that would be required to make a simple basic knife is a small price to pay to get a good start in the craft. Then all they will have to do is put into practice what is presented to them. It is rare in this day-in-age to find this kind of opportunity that will to be presented openly, freely, but not cheaply for anyone who takes the effort and has the interest to be in attendance. I know the instructors have put in years of study and practice, not to count the money and sacrifice of the priority of the use of their time to master their skills. We found in the past, that if a person is respectful to the presenters who are highly trained knife makers that are moderating and teaching the skills, they will spare no secrets about the craft. A Problem: More than a few times we have had people over estimate how much personal knowledge they had acquired. And then they give out incorrect or dangerous information as though it was reliable information. A bigger problem: And all too many times when we have highly skilled craftsman (who have established their credibility) try to correct bogus information presented by un-skilled people, many have become disrespectful and argumentative. An attitude of this kind will waist everyone’s valuable time. Bottom Line: Well thought out questions, that are presented in a respectful manner that are given to the presenters and other students in the training chat room is of paramount importance. I hope for all who take advantage of this opportunity that they will share this valuable information with others when the timing is right. My best to all of you!
  7. Steve thank you for bringing this situation that needs prayer to our attention. Prayers have gone out for both families and all who are touched by this event.
  8. Eddie, it never showed up for me!
  9. Young Blacksmiths I believe this is a very important event that will trigger the awareness of other young people and their parents or guardians. And, that is if their youngster shows a genuine interest in blacksmithing, that under highly skilled guidance exceptional achievement is possible. In time this event will bring to light what the ability of young people are capable of doing and will be viewed as another link being forged in the extended chain of blacksmithing history. When the correct combinations “of the mechanics of life” line up, wonderful things happen. These seeds of effort that are being planted now will soon bloom into the leadership within the craft for tomorrow. I send you all my best as you all make your mark in blacksmithing history. Ted Throckmorton
  10. Going into the Blacksmithing Business To make the decision to go into business full time so that it will be your only income is a huge step in your life. From reading your post it sounds as though you have prepared yourself for the challenge. Good on you!! It took me three times to finally make a business (Blacksmithing/welding) profitable. I supported my family, but it took me extra long hours each day to make it pay off. I quickly found that I did not have sound business savvy, although I was a fairly good blacksmith/welder. I had to learn a lot of lessons the hard way with additional un-necessary sweat, worry, long hours, and being chained to my shop. I lost the joy of blacksmithing/welding due to the pressure of having to make each second count that equated to money in some way. All because I was not prepared and did not know it. I share my thoughts about diving into a business full time for the sake of other blacksmiths/welders who are thinking in this same direction. My views are aimed especially toward anybody who is supporting a family or others who depend on them for their livelihood. The pressure of having to provide for a family who depends on you is a double edged sword. It can work for you by giving you the incentive to work harder and longer. But if you are not fully prepared properly, it can push you to a point beyond just stress which is not all bad. But DIS-STRESS should be avoided. It will eat up your health, wealth and happiness. PREPARATION I can assure you that as life unfolds for a small business man there will be lean times, and times of abundance. I have been aware of other people who had a lot more business savvy, craftsmanship skill, and better tools than I ever had who at times were forced to tighten their belts. I say all of that to say this; when I went into business for myself, or worked as an hourly blacksmith, my time and efficiency skills were quickly challenged. I had to step up to the plate and work smarter. That is called training. Training is the key. Training is the key. Training is the key. Training is the key. Training is the key. Time is money. Proper training is the key to accessing the money! Efficient tools equal time saved, which equals money. Your management and business skills equal money (or not). Your ability to purchase steel stock in bulk quantities equal money. I only mention a few overview aspects that need to be addressed in detail if a person is going to be able to support his self, his family, his shop insurance, health insurance, his steel supplier, his welding supply house, lease or home and or shop payments, vehicle insurance, vehicle payments, special needs for his family such as food, clothing, water bills, power bills, gas bills, phone bills, his government, his county and state, additional money for your children’s school tuition and events, only to mention a few. When I fully understood the true weight of the financial demands of some of the aforementioned financial responsibilities that were placed directly on my shoulders (that is to produce financial profit out of raw steel via my business and craftsmanship skills) something changed in me about my perception of the craft of blacksmithing/welding. Every minute became important. I could not afford the luxury of tapping my toes while I was waiting for each piece to heat up. I had to learn how to plan each day so I could forge compatible work pieces so I could continue to be hammering and have another piece ready “at heat” in the forge at all times. Over time, thank goodness I found my nitch in the business and blacksmithing/welding became fun again. I would give the following thoughts to anyone who is considering to staring their own business. 1. Learn the basics of the craft well. I used to say “Repetition is the Mother of Skill” and thought I had covered all bases. But as I was reading a post at one time when someone else was talking about how practice was important, I read what Rich Hale (who is a person I respect and is a highly skilled craftsman) added something like this! “Perfect Practice” … Now I say that Perfect Practice and Repetition is the Mother of Skill. Rich emphasized how important it was to do it correctly every time because you are developing muscle memory and habit! Many people are un-aware of the fundamental training that is required to skillfully and safely apply the necessary skills of the blacksmith craft. A skilled blacksmith makes forging look easy because his steps have been previously measured and honed with countless hours of training and practice of how and when to apply each basic step in the order of operations to accomplish the desired outcome. 2. I suggest that you add a good welding class to your foundation. 3. Study about Business 4. Have a business plan, follow and adjust your business plan. You need a map of where you are going if you were planning to travel across a large country. By using a good map, the more likely you will not get lost. The same is true for your business. I hope the very best for anyone who starts into their own business that they will prepare themselves for it! Ted Throckmorton
  11. Looks like you have a good Start! You will no doubt learn as you go (Adjust & Adapt) I wish for you a great journey in the fine craft of Blacksmithing.
  12. It always impresses me to see someone who has put energy into supporting their thoughts. That looks like an excellent start to something I have been lightly experimenting with also. Now that you are on the job, I can rest and let you figure the rest out! I wish you the very best as you find a well thought out solution to add power and appropriate linkage for a smooth operating hammer!
  13. There is no doubt in my mind that Brian and Lyle have established themselves as a significant element in the backbone of Blacksmithing history that is still in the making. The legacy they are leaving by providing an environment for learning the “Solid Fundamentals of Forging Steel” will continue on and on through their students, and their students, students. I get a great deal of satisfaction in seeing photos, videos, and reading about the results their students experience after they have spent time with them. Steadfastness, skill, and generosity are some of the words that come to my mind when I hear or think about them. I wish you the best; you are fortunate because you have trained with the best! Ted Throckmorton
  14. Try: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/custom-j3-throwing-hawk-hand-forged-tomahawk
  15. Everything starts out as a thought! All of my buildings started out as thoughts in my mind. All of my tools and equipment I have built started out as thoughts in my mind. Now I would suggest that you think about how you will obtain the skills to bring your thoughts to life. It is all up to you. It takes Time, Effort, Money, Sweat, and Sacrifice on your part if you are serious about your dream. I wish you the very best.
  16. Thank You To anyone who ever took the Oath to defend our country! The words “Thank You” has never satisfied the very deep heartfelt expression of Gratitude that I have for “ALL” of our Armed Services Veterans. Many times I have heard people say that they were “ONLY” a Cook or a Mechanic or that they were never involved in combat, implying what they did was not important. That would be so incorrect for them to think that they were not as important as anyone who ever took the oath to defend our country. When YOU signed that paper and took the Oath, YOU also signed a blank check allowing the Government to place you anywhere in harm’s way and at any time. I know of an Army Ranger Group who would always give a moment of silence for our brothers in arms (they meant everyone). They knew that they could not do what they were expected to do without each and every other service person doing their job properly. That would include the Truck Driver, the people who provided Supply, the Cooks, the Mailmen, the Clerks, and the Medics. That list could go on and on to include each and every supportive position in the USA Armed Forces. The PRICE! "Freedom is not FREE" I am constantly aware of my son who has had to endure the painful results of his service given to our country. Many of our service people suffer every day for every Free American because of their unselfish service given to our country. . I am also painfully aware of many of my friends who gave it all. I am also very conscious and concerned about others who survived but suffer not only physically, but mentally. Their families also experience the pain they suffer along with them. This process is active and does not take a rest. The effect is most likely a long term issue that is with them minute by minute, every day and night, so people like me and you could feel secure. This understanding for me does not just fade in and out to remember and celebrate the sacrifice they continue to give just one day a year. If you see an opportunity to assist an Armed Service person in some way to make their life a little easier, PLEASE “DO IT” I feel very strong about what I say in this note, but very inadequate in my ability to do more than I am able or should do to give support to our service people. Please try to make a difference! “God Bless America” Ted Throckmorton
  17. There is a lot of blacksmithing activity in Utah. I suggest that you contact Bonneville Forge Counsel to get the information you need. Bonneville Forge Council http://bfc.abana-chapter.com/
  18. I love this site and the great people who respond in such a quick and honorable fashion to assist a fellow craftsman who asks for help! I take my hat off to you all! - On second thought I had better not. I may get my bald head sunburned! - But you get the idea! – Thank You! RangerJ03 aka) Joseph - Just a thought: To get a quick idea of how to cut, fold and forge the cross. I suggest that you obtain some clay (yes, kids play clay will work in a pinch) and then do a few practice cuts and folds to form the cross. It will give you a hands-on idea of what you are going to be doing with hot steel. The best of forging to you!
  19. We have some split cross makers here for sure - I am not one of them!. Please give the size you were thinking about making! This may speed up the response!
  20. Brian “Happy Birthday” I have heard one definition of “what luck is” that made good sense to me. Luck = “When preparation meets opportunity”. Sadly; many times I have seen people who are un-prepared try to take advantage of opportunity when it appears, and then loose the possibility of advancement in life simply because they had not taken the effort to prepare themselves. Many times there is no opportunity for a person to prepare themselves. There is a price to pay prior to entering into the theater of success. And that price is called “Preparation” Train ~ Fight ~ Win. Many times I have seen fighters who have not prepared themselves in advance for a fight. The results have a very highly “predictable outcome”. “Don’t Train ~ Fight ~ Loose”. I say all of the above in order to honor a special man on his birthday. When Brian was born, it could arguably be said that it was the same thing as saying that the “birth of opportunity” that he now provides to us was also born. Because Brian has birthdays, we are all able to benefit from Brains efforts of preparation if we will only do it! Happy Birthday Brian! Thank you for all that you bring to the table of forging! Ted Throckmorton
  21. I would like to express my thoughts of how privileged and fortunate I believe we are as a blacksmithing community (worldwide). That is because we have become beneficiaries who have prospered when a blacksmith turned teacher/ tutor (Brian), joined by his wife (Karen), and then teamed up with a highly skilled blacksmith/photographer named LDW who now provides us with demonstrations of sound fundamental basic and advanced forging skills. Each time a student goes through the discovery process that is directed and guided by Brian, and then recorded by LDW; “that what was thought to have been lost at one time is brought to the surface and recorded”. This team combination has become a “Win/Win” situation for all of us, one that many of us have come to look forward to in order to absorb every nuance of the craft that is revealed. Thomas, Congratulations! My best to all of you; Ted Throckmorton
  22. I was all fired up to say something "Brilliant" about this topic! :) But you all pretty well said it better than anything I could say! :unsure: Life is not free, Freedom is not free, and if you want buy my anvil make sure you have a lot of money! :lol:
  23. I have had one made, and I would not consider it to be cheap, but it was well worth it for the one I wanted, made like I wanted. Most often you will get what you pay for. Like Glenn said, Make one. Look up "Touch marks" in the search feature in I Forge Iron. Please read through this Thread; http://www.iforgeiro...ark#entry252510 The very best to you! Ted Throckmorton
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