Tinker
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Location
West Yorkshire, U.K.
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Interests
Tinkering with stuff
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Occupation
Driver
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Hello glenn, I've found out a little more about your ringing signals to the striker. Will is familiar with them, as was a Smith called Tom and another called Mats. The system wasn't exactly the same and seems to be down to the Master whose workshop the Striker is working in over here. Also Will says that the 'Marker' can direct the 'Striker' by the use of his own blows on the piece. If the 'Marker' strikes the piece softly so would the 'Striker', and conversely if he really gives it a belt so would the 'Striker' with his next blow. As far as quieting the ring of an Anvil down goes in Sweden it was traditional to put a sheet of cork under the Anvil base, according to an 88 year old retired smith called Albin who was consulted by Mats (it's his father no less!) in response to my question. Keep the queries coming folks and I'll try to answer them if I can. Ian
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Hello everyone, well after the fantastic time I had working with Hananja Boelen on Sunday I went for a bit of a drive out to a place called Zeven Huizen where I met two fantastic old smiths with around 120 years at an anvil between them. Abraham and Cornelis Gebr are from a long line of smiths and both are over 70. I had a great afternoon getting a tour of their shop and after yet more delicious dutch coffee Abraham showed me his pride and joy. Model steam engines! He makes the 1 to 10 scale steam engines you can ride as well as a lot of other tiny steam driven engines. He has even made a fully working model of the workshop he and his brother run. Oh and he's 82! and has this seriously roguish grin. He was sent to germany during the war because of his skills, but when the germans lost he just came straight back and carried on working. An amazing man. After that I rode on up to Amsterdam, where I've been walking my feet into mincemeat trying to find some Smiths to interview. I found a guy called Paul van Gerwen in Amsterdam who's a modern smith, without a solid feul forge yet, but with ideas for a gas one. He's a design genius, no matter how outlandish your idea he can make it work in a nuts and bolts, practical way. He also gave me the name of two other places to try. One is called Aethetica and sells forged work the other I've just come from. Result! Its the only solid feul smithy left in the centre of Amsterdam because of the emmission laws here and has been in operation since 1861. A father and son team run it although mainly the son. Arno Kouwenhoven is just 26 years old, and is very good at what he does. I got a fantastic look around his and his Dads place so expect a report on that soon. Oh and by the way, whoever told me to look for the Smithy underneath the 'Knocking Shop', that ones it! lmao I had a rather attractive if irate hooker come storming downstairs to tell me off for taking photo's of the girls (which isn't allowed) when I was actually taking a shot of the front of the shop! Amsterdam is a VERY different place to the rest of Holland from what I've seen so far :shock: I'll be heading out from here tomorrow over to a place called Apeldorn, apparently theres a very skilled smith out there. Again my thanks to all who've posted, especially Oakwoodforge. I'll check up on that link asap mate, and thanks for the other offer. I'll take it up when I get to the states. Ian
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Both of the guys I've been to see, Paulus van der Jagt and Hananja Boelen asked me for the sites adress. Paulus has a wbsite which will be included in my report. Hananja works at the maritime museum in Rotterdam, he's been on local tv and in the local press a few times because of his work. I've just got here from my lesson with Hananja, and posted the report to glenn on Paulus. Both were very cool and laid back dutchmen. Both were very good smiths, but Hananja was able to let me play in the musem workshop with him so he get two thumbs up! lol I was very lucky to meet both lads and Hananja and I might meet up again as I come back through germany. He's a top bloke. Keep watching the site to see where my next touchdown is. Ian
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Hi folks, well six days in and two fellow smiths in the bag! I have another lesson with one of them (Hananja Boelen) at his shop on Sunday. There are some great photo's to work up into a report tonite. This cafe is mad at the minute so i'll come back later. I'm having a blast out here so far, looking forward to my lesson tomorrow. Maybe I'll get another go on his power hammer 8) If anyones found anymore guys in DENMARK drop me a line, I'll start heading North on Monday
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Hello all, just posted off the first report from rotterdam, I'm sat writing this in their massive six storey library 8) The Ferry crossing wasn't too bad even with a force 5 gale and apart from one 'where do I go'moment I'm driving on the wrong side (to me) without killing anyone yet. The local press are looking for smiths to visit as I type all being well. But I'll keep you posted as to what the nice chap I spoke to turns up. Nearly everyone here speaks English but the term Blacksmith was met with blank stares at the tourist information centre. Luckily local paper wasn't so we'll see what happens. I recommend the "Hoegaarden wit" to destress you after a long day of research a pint goes down lovely Everything is good so far, even kipping in the car wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, if this chap comes good I'll be doing some more driving tomorrow. Delft and Amsterdam are on the list for my next landing zones, but keep watching as things might change. Be Cool 8) Ian