JimDawdy

Interesting article with nice pictures on the forging of new armor for the Vatican's Swiss Guard, by a family of Austrian blacksmiths that has been in existence since the year 1350 (that kind of tradition just boggles my mind). http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/22/16641319-beefing-up-security-blacksmiths-forge-new-suit-of-armor-for-bulkier-vatican-guards?lite The blacksmiths are Schmiede Schmidberger, http://www.schmiede-schmidberger.at/schmidberger/index.htm

Nice little photoessay of a blacksmith in Russia making a candlestick holder. From the website "English Russia": http://englishrussia...nds/#more-98677

Thomas They had about 5 anvils. The two mexican ones, a small 50lb and a huge 250+ lbs were incredibly rusty and pitted...actually crumbling in places. They had not had any use that I could see. There were a couple of 75-100lb Peter Wrights that went for about $250 I think. Also a mousehole. I just wanted a larger anvil that I could bang on as a learning experience that wasnt too expensive, and the one I got seems to meet that criteria at $140. The one I got was painted over the face, everywhere. At least 3 layers. I'll have to check on the ball bearing and spark tests.

I'm sure the bottom is cast iron. I meant that with the paint, it didn't seem to be a cast-iron ASO. It has a decent ring. Rebound is so-so. It does look similar to the Russian anvils. But, I do think it's much too old, and it also doesnt have the diamond hardy.

Picked up this anvil at a farm auction in Socorro, NM for $140. It had at least three layers of paint on it (talk about a painted lady!), but didn't appear to be cast iron (there were a couple of Mexican cast iron anvils for sale....pretty awful looking). I managed to get the majority of the paint off, but cannot find any makers marks. There appears to be a large defect on one side- maybe from a cutting torch? Any idea who made this anvil? Looks a bit like some Trentons, and I understand that defective anvils were sometimes sold unmarked. It weighs around 150lbs. Jim

If the clay gets old, you can also make up some lead bar stock fairly easily (probably using the clay for a mold to pour your led into!). She should be able to shape the lead without too much difficulty. Just be sure to have her wear gloves when handling the lead, and wash thoroughly afterwards.

ASM International is having a class "Metallurgy for the Non Metallurgist" in Beechwood, Ohio Sep. 13-17. Cost is $1,989 http://www.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/AsmStore/ProductDetails/?vgnextoid=62c0b2a3bc249210VgnVCM100000621e010aRCRD (No affiliation with this organization, just thought it might be of interest to some on the forum)

I think I can help shed some light on this- one of the benefits of marrying a girl from Kazakhstan Here is a link to a video (in Russian, unfortunately) and some pictures of his shop in Bukhara. He has apparently turned it into a bit of a blacksmithing museum- which, if you have ever spent any time in Central Asia, is pretty amazing. However, according to the text in the link, Shokir Kamalov is the 6th generation of blacksmiths in his family and is considered a Master Smith, having many certificates for his accomplishments. http://stan.tv/news/3860/?REID=dlf2r6pps03mog16g4egm3d420 Click on the small box with a word that looks like BHDEO200 for some video from a documentary of Kamalov, which shows that amazing forge in action. Jim

Ok, caveat- I Is A Rank Amateur, with virtually no experience blacksmithing. However, thanks to some help from Pep Gomez, I did get my Centaur Forge (an older, custom job, but basically exactly the same as on their web page) lit (yeah!) and I noticed that the 3 feet of 8" chimney pipe I stuck on the hood DID draw quite a bit of smoke. There was still a lot of smoke escaping from under the hood, esp. with the blower going. But in my inexperienced opinion, the chimney and hood combo did help. Hood seems virtually useless without some sort of chimney.

Looks Russian. http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/products/ru_anvil/index.php

Yes, I emailed the owner about that anvil, but never received a reply. Was going to drive up to ABQ and get it if still available.

Hi Thomas I would like to, but I work at the Fire Dept until 2pm on Saturday. However I plan to attend the demonstration in September at Ben LoBue's.

I lived in Romania for a couple of years, and still maintain a lot of close ties with friends there. A search of google led me to a photojournal essay on Romanian blacksmiths "Of Iron and Men | Portrayals of Romanian blacksmiths" by photographer Sorin Onisor. The photography is outstanding. Check out the pictures at http://www.photojournale.com/categories.php?cat_id=119

Hello the forum. 38 year old paramedic living in Deming, NM. I'll be attending the Gunter's school in Moriarty in August. Slowly converting a garage and old brick barbecue set up into a forge/workshop! Regards Jim