Tinker

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

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

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

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

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

Well this is is folks, less than 12 hours to go and final prep is running close to the wire Thanks to everyone for their support and advice, keep it up! Xxxx if you can think of anyone you know out here let me know and I'll try and say hello as I go, if there a blacksmith too I'll try even harder, lol Next post will be from Rotterdam be cool

Hi all, racing against time and a temperamental internet connection, but to let you know all the camping gear was aquired ( at a frightening expense ) Spent last night under canvas to christen the gear, and check that it all works. So far so good. Just got to go shopping for dry food and other sundries and we're ready to roll. Some cool reports coming up on the tour to keep you amused until I hit the shores of Holland. If there's anyone who lives in the Netherlands that hammers Iron then give me a shout here and I'll see about paying you a visit. Otherwise its some unsuspecting Dutchman who's in for the Mungo treatment be cool, see you on the road 8) Ian

The thing I love about doing this is the reponse I get from the people reading it. Oh and the invites to see interesting places from the folks who live near them is also great. I'll be hitting the Stateside version of Oz after I hit the really big (ie continental) version 'down under' London was a blast, beer and music and excellent company. Now if I can build a raft or a decent dug out canoe I might be knocking on Tylers door (hawai, I mean come on people!) to see if he's finished making a trailer for his bike! Keep watching the site (or is it the skies?) Mungo will soon be on his way. 8) 4 days and counting........

Hello folks!, as you can see things are underway and a little bit more of my travels has been put up on line. I just got back from london on Sunday after an excellent weekend with my mate Chris (another Yorky) and his lovely (Canadian no less) wife Krystal. Its been two days solid at the pc, with limited internet access, trying to get my reports up to date. I've been to see the armourer at the Museum in Leeds, had a good crawl around the museum itself too. Now I've just got to slim down the 200 plus photo's I took in London down into a 20 to 30 photo report. Plus which time is getting on. I need to get some camping gear bought and soon! :shock: I've got less than a week till I hit the ferry for Rotterdam, bust busy busy! I'll see you all on the road Ian

Hmm, this got me thinking. Dad had developed an interest in geneaology before his passing and had dug up some interesting skeletons.... Fifth Officer Harold Godfrey Lowe (my favourite) A welshman and distant relative of ours, made famous by the fact that he was the only man to return after the Titanic went under to look for survivors. (if you watch the film he's played by Ioan Gryfudd (sp), currently Mr Fantastic in the fantastic four) Sir (General) Hudson Lowe The Governor of St Helena and the man responsible for Napoleon I (Bonaparte) after his defeat at waterloo and subsequent exile to the island. He came in for a bit of stick for his 'unbending' treatment of the former Emperor. Before that he'd served with distinction in the Anglo French war. Napoleon's mysterious death apparently caused him some problems (lol) My Great Granfather on my Mothers side was a Blacksmith (groan ) for the coal mines, and on my Dads side my great great Grandfather was a Romany Tinker (he fixed pans, sharpened knives and did small scale iron work ) Me? I'm a novice smith and a hobby Silversmith, funny how the world turns 8)

:lol: Cheers Strine, no wuckers mate. Strewth she'll be alright I reckon. 8) I'll need to be as cunning as a dunny rat to pull this off without any major mishaps, but I'm looking forward to the challenge! I'll be saying G'day to all the good folks from the land of Oz some time next march. I'll break out the zinc stick, you can break out the beer. Save me a sunny Sheila mate :D

Hi folks, I've posted a few times about my plans for travelling, and the idea of putting a whole new slant on what a 'Journeyman' Smith is.... My gratitude to all the folks who posted replies to my earlier messages. Time for an update methinks My ticket has been bought, and on the 26th of September 2005 yours truly, his (hopefully) faithfull old jalopy and an even older kit bag will board the Ferry from Hull in East Yorkshire (U.K.) and about 12 hours later will land on the mainland of Europe in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. So it begins.........and the clock is ticking :shock: From there my route should be a skip across the top of Germany and into Denmark. I'll head north to the lands of the Vikings before turning tail and heading back into germany and southwards before the winter bites. Things will be pretty flexible so please feel free to offer any advise on where to go and who to see 8) Asia will follow Europe and Australasia will follow that. I've already got a 12 month 'working holiday visa' sorted for Oz, that can be 'activated' from March until August of next year.....I won't even mention the Americas just yet If you think this is all daft enough to be pretty entertaining then stay tuned, you'll be able to follow my progress all the way right here on IforgeIron Wish me luck! Edit: following material added Join us and follow Ian Lowe and his World Tour Reports as he travels the world in search of blacksmithing knowledge.

Wow, thanks for all the responses boys and girls! I'm surprised and pleased :shock: I've started a fresh thread now, but just to let you know..... I've got my ticket for the ferry from Hull in East Yorkshire to bear me over the waters to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Me and the jalopy sail on the 26th of September at 2100 hrs. So it begins......... 8)

Thanks Strine I look forward to it, I'm hoping to get a visa so I can do a bit of work as I see Oz, and so take a bit of time doing it. Its a mad, mad idea and I'm getting more and more involved in the practicalities. I'm even thinking of going over on the ferry so I can use my old jalopy as a portable base. Hull over to Northern Europe, should be a nice way to see the land. Still sorting out where I can hit and how the continental hops will work. It's coming together, slowly but surely! :)

Thanks Sandpile I am lucky to have already caught a post from Frank, he weighed in with some excellent suggestions for Germany. Thats going to be the first port of call, in particular the Black Forest, region. My Grandad was stationed there, and my Father always wanted to go, but his health put the mockers on that, so thats the first stop, to scatter some of his ashes in the river Danube. Problem is I'm VERY tempted to keep heading North, to check out the Netherlands, Denmark,Norway etc. I know they still have a strong Smithing tradition. But South will take me to Austria and Switzerland and the Alps Over them is Italy and it has some outstanding craftmanship, things like Moreno glass, the museums, the art, the expense :shock: I definately want to hit asia, not overly sure about africa though. Maybe fly from Italy over all the hotspots to china. Always had a yen to see Outer Mongolia Europe is the main concern at the moment though