Marksnagel

Hey Paul, I look forward to seeing you at the fair if the wife feels well enough to go. The wife always has to see the critters and I always gravitate towards the Blacksmith shop, lumberjack, sorgum, etc area. Nice looking work in the pic. Look forward to meeting you. Mark<><

I would concur with the limbsaw and pruning shears. That was going to be my two cents worth before reading the reply posts. As Bob said, I feel that the knotch at the bottom was not a factory cut. If it was, I think that the stitching would have continued through the curve and if it was to show whether there was a blade in there or not it would (should) have the leather on the backside or body side still there to allow for some protection. Speculations abound.

Right now a beard. It depends on the season. Hunting season that is. I regrow my beard for deer season when I try to hide this mug from prying eyes. The progression of grey hair may be an advantage when it snows. Never had it catch fire but since I have only been smithing for @9 months, ask me again in the spring. Always had the moustache. As far as respirators go, beards aren't allowed on NC fire departments paid or volunteer. But since I'm a driver / pump operator and don't wear a respirator, I get to sport the beard. <><

The most comfortable longlasting pull on, high top boot I've ever had: Durango I have had many types of boots. Since my employer pays for new boots every year I get a pretty good pick. I have two pair of wolverines which I would recommend only to an enemy. Maybe. They have the durashock sole which sounded good but I have never had a pair of boots (both pair) that hurt my feet like these. The break in period is probably longer than my lifespan. Maybe it's my feet size 13US but I have had other brands that were great. I like a tall boot because I have dropped a weld bead into the top of a short loose fitting boot before and that is where my limited dance experience began. I like a slip on high top boot. On and off fast and I'm getting too lazy to bother with laces. One of the wolverines are slipons and the other are lace up. I recommend neither. Sneakers are asking for trouble.

Brothers, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers for Patty. What was feared by the surgeon is leaving her system and is no longer a threat. You cannot know how much it means to me that you have all prayed for my wife. She still has the carcinoid cancer but the treatment left us with a very dark outlook. The problem caused by the treatment is no longer a problem. It is going away. On facebook I told of those that were praying for Patty and I. Among the list were you. I listed you as Blacksmiths, Big burly manly men with firm hardy handshakes who humbled themselves before the Lord to ask for help for a friend. Again praise and thanks to God and my thanks to you for your petitions to God. God bless you all. ps. Keep prayin, she's not home yet.

Ok, as always I speak too soon. The Dr just came in and said that he really didn't like her catscan this morning. It seems that there is a really rare chance that the chemo and the radio-isotope could travel from her liver to her bowels. But Patty being Patty, it did. This has the Dr worried and he said it could be "bad". He defined bad as not good. So more tests and proceedures. Keep prayin. thanks

Mainlybob, you are indeed an artist and a poet. I am afraid that all the years of physical abuse to my body (and mind) have taken their toll. But since I have started blacksmithing I do feel better and have more energy. Smiling Bob has not had to come visit yet. The decomposing of this body is still on track with the natural progression of life,(downhill) but that is to be expected. Since surpassing the half century mark the gray hair and wrinkles have commenced a relentless attack. Perhaps without the blacksmithing it would progress faster. So on that assumption, I will keep the forge hot and the hammer swinging so as to abate the effects of aging.

The tent sounds like a great idea. I would like to meet the people that I have met here at IFI.

Thank you all for your prayers. The surgery and treatment went well. Just have some healing time to do now. <><

Thanks for the info on the modeling clay. Ted just called me from the other side of the country to explain clay and its uses to a blacksmith. He then put me onto this forum. As soon as I can I will put your input into practice. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Mark<><

Patty goes for a bone scan tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayers so far! Keep them coming. Mark<><

J.A. Glad to hear that you are all ok. Sorry to hear about your home and shop. You are in my prayers as are all those affected by that quake. Keep well. Mark<><

Hey Jeffery, I'm also new to Blacksmithing. I am finding that trial and error and practice have been my best teachers. The knowledge that is available to you on this site is amazing. There are so many people here that are willing to share their knowledge it astounds me. Like many have said, read all you can and seek out a smith near you. Schools are great but nothing beats hands on training from a master. Good luck! Mark<><

Hey Wolf, Really nice job on the marshmallow forks. Should double as nice steak/roast forks for the grill. Again, nice job. Now I have yet another thing to add to my list of things to make. Thanks. Mark<><

You are both in my prayers. I pray that while seperate, you both find time to pray together. I pray that you will begin anew and see things in a different light and that the Lord will make himself more evident in your lives together. God bless and keep the faith. Mark<><

thanks brothers, it means a lot.

Last nite I watched "The left handed gun." 1958 western with Paul Newman as William Bonney (Billy the Kid). There was one scene where they were in a mexican village and the blacksmith had a bucket with a small bellows feeding air to the bottom. He had an anvil that was a fence post anvil. It fit over a square post in the ground that was about 8" X 8". Just thought that it was cool. A small village smith that used what he had.

I believe in prayer. I believe that it works because I have seen prayers answered over and over. I believe that some are answered Yes, some No, and some Wait. Regardless of how prayers are answered I accept their outcome because I am the clay (iron) and not the Potter (Master Blacksmith). Now having said that, I ask my fellow blacksmiths for prayers for my wife Patty. Patty has Carcinoid Cancer and has had it since 2003. It has been a continuous battle but one worth fighting. She goes in for yet another hospital stay and will be having a Chemoembolization to her liver. Not a bad procedure but not a fun ride afterwards. She will have it done on Sept 14th in Norfolk, VA. I ask you to join me in prayer that she will be at peace with this procedure as she is very anxious about it and that it will work as the doctors hope it will. It has been a long road but we know that the Lord is in charge and we trust him. We give all the glory to God for answered prayer. Mark <><

Jeff, I am praying for you and your family. I understand your difficulties and pray that the Lord will keep you and your family safe from all harm during these times. I have seen God pull me out of the bottom of the pit time after time in my life and I know that he will also protect you. I have found that he may not pull us from the storm but give us the strength to weather it. Keep the faith. Mark <>< Spent many days in the pine barrens in my youth. Watch out for the Jersey Devil. God will protect you from the real one.

I am so sorry to read of your losses. You are in my prayers.

Your son and your family are in our prayers. Our son returned from a tour in Iraq this past spring. I pray for his safety and your peace of mind. Thank you for raising a son who is willing to serve our country. God bless you all.

Your wife and you are in my prayers. God is in control.