Larry H

I use a coke forge, for thirty years, so it stays hot for hours and could still burn you in the morning. When I put a piece in for annealing, I heat it orange and leave it next to but not in the fire. in the morning you can have your way with it. It is science but not rocket science

Some filing tips: don't hold the file with a death grip, use proper form, don't push to hard, or lean on the file, it may cause large chips and deeper gouges that you ultimately have to file out, let the tool do the work. when you get down to the file that feels like a smooth worn out useless tool, thats the one that gives the mirror finish. My first time finishing a blade, I didn't believe a file could do that ! !, I could see myself, and believe me, no one should have to see that !

Now thats my kind of smithing!! and fellow scandinavians too, it doesn't get much better than that !

Thanx mainley I,m startin ta like ya, may have a piece of scrap fer ya , will git back ter ya

The first one took six months,...this one took 1 1/2 hours the incomplete ones can take as little as 45 mins

<br><br>Well, I'm just starting to change directions from smithing to this type of work, I'll be retiring from my smithing job in a few years and will need something to do to" keep me off the streets" So i will be developing my skills to that end. Once a smith always a smith. Retirement is just a myth propagated by the.....awww just fergitit.&nbsp;<div>&nbsp;&nbsp;I did donate two pieces to ABANA for the auction a few months back ,.... never heard what happened.</div>

I just watched it on the iPod it worked fine will check it out

Mark, you wanted to see this?

You need to be able to walk around the anvil, work from all sides ,you must " know your way around the anvil" or you are limited. Did you ever know any good smith who doesn't know his way around it?

Have very happy birthday Mr hofi, do we keep you amused with our debates?

I dunno, you guys are driving me crazy. One " relucttant" master I had the honor of working with for fifteen years was a fourth generation smith, when I started with him, he alone had 55 years at the anvil. 55 years, how old was Hofi when he started? 52 ? I've seen him work it's not like I live in a cave, or I don't like the guy, I don't care either way, I'm just sayin', experience is experience. Learn everything you can from everyone you can and never stop

Instructions?, for a hammer?, grab the wood part , swing the heavy part so it contacts the intended target , repeat motion in quick succession until desired effect is accomplished, no charge

If you are a smith you should have made your own hammer, tongs, chisels, punches, everything but your anvil. When you have a well made hammer in your hand that came from your forge you will not desire one from someone else. As far as hammering, get pointers from a pro, but you have to be there any body can tell you don't lift your shoulder but that's not the only fix, many stand to far from the anvil ect, ect, ect . I started on my own but when I finally worked with my first live master everything came together, four masters and almost forty years later, I think May be getting the hang of it,

That's nice, I noticed the face on #2 is cleaner, #3 will be even cleaner than that. I like the wrap around the waist. Real nice first try. Now that your onto the humans try not to become obsessed ( good luck in that area!!! ) once it draws you in , it's all over

Cornwall coal, in ny , 8 bucks a bag off rt. 32 south of vails gate 1845 534 3650

I hope you didn't get scared off, I was looking to send you a pair of tongs , I know how tough it is starting out, but you sound like you have the desire , welcome to the fold

where are you located?

beat it with a hammer, the size depends on how much air you are blowing, and the mtL 1 1/2 is a good start

Nice work, I do the same thing when the temp goes up, stand in front of a 2000 degree forge and when you step away 100 degrees is not that hot, are we crazy?

Unfortunately I could not attend the conference, however I did donate two pieces, "melody" and the unnamed woman. I haven't heard from abana yet do you know how much the two pieces went for? All the proceeds went to the abana coffers

Minotaur, there is a lot of good advice there, I'm not familiar with that steel but when working with tool steel in general here's a few things to think about. Don't work it to much, meaning "beat it to death" Don't work it to cool, there is a small window, when you see gray in the steel it's to late for one more hit. I've done many hammers, when they are at a nice even orange I quench in oil, in the center of a full five gallon metal bucket, keep it moving in the oil for ten minutes never take it out to look, hang it in the oil for three or four hours, quench in the morning, go do work when you return, warm hard hammer. I use truck axles, and I learned from 4th gen blacksmith, all four brothers were blacksmiths too ! !

I like the wind vane best, It's more work and figuring I hope the off side of the peak is due north ! ! ! It's very good work if only since the fall is when you started smithing

I used a 6" pipe for rear support, 1/2 x 2 for the nose , round balls, 1" FOR THE EYES

About this union thing, did the smiths want to be unionized? If not, the union cannot come in. The choice belongs to the workers