JerryCarroll

Rick, check out this link for a starter for Mountain man--buckskinning. I was raised in Eastern Ky. and spent a lot of my early years in the Cumberland river and in the "hills". I still live in the country but in IL. by the Kankakee river.

Here's a couple of my attempts at banging a spike into something http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=244&stc=1&d=1152338360

To the family of Ralph Douglas, I am saddened by his passing. You are still on our Prayer list for Gods blessings of strength and peace. He was a strong man who was proud of all of you.

I was thinking maybe "Archie's Bunker"----kinda has a ring to it :)

Leah, condolenses and Prayers are offered from here. Thank God for the years you had with your Dad--I only had 14 years with mine but I will always remember him fondly.

My wife get's several magazines--catalogs in the mail with lots of iron works from all over. If you need to copy or do your own version of some of the stuff the pictures are usually very clear with measurements stated for the overall size. She got started with the "Country Living" mag. and sent for some of the catalogs listed in the back.

A place for small diameter rod (3/8" & under) is cemetary dumps where they put the easels from the flower arrangements. I have 4 cemetarys that I can get them from close by.

Jens, it looks like a buckskinners treasure :)

Here's some of Billy Merritt's billets ready for the fire. He uses a galvanized wire for binding that burns off & isn't included in the billet. I washed mine in a can of kerosine--heated it up to low red--fluxed it heavy with borax & brought it to a weld heat, after the initial light pounding as it was losing the weld heat I quickly wire brushed good and applied more flux and back in the fire. It took 3 heats to get the billet and didn't count how many it took to get it ready to file. I used 6 4" pieces of chain and folded it twice making 24 layers if I'm figuring right. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=34&stc=1&d=1142975816

Don, I hand file the blade shapes. I don't consider myself a bladesmith so I'm not set up for doing them quick--just good! After spendin a day with Billy Merritt I wanted to see what I could do with his instructions.

Ralph & Dawn, both of you have been on our Church Prayer chain and every one here will know of the update in a couple of hours. We all know Prayer works. We see it every day!

Just to be able to think like that is therapy--meditation at it's full flavor!

6" blade--tiger maple handle--brass guard. blade etched with ferric chloride.http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif

Geoff, the posting are still there, "Rich-s vise 11.jpg" posted 10-15-05. Look under "Drop box files" in the "R's" bout 3/4 way down the page. If you still can't get them email me and I'll send them. Put "Rich's vise" as the subject so's you don't get spamed out.

Here's my humble submission for the projects this month. Many thanks to Glenn! http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=27&stc=1&d=1142835070

irn--I'm still waiting on that "someone or something" :oops: Ma sez I shoulda quit before now. :?

Welcome Mark, You have found a great source here for blacksmith knowledge and the friendship we share.I'm enjoying your website. I was born and schooled in Harlan, Ky and left home to work in Chicago where the money was. I still consider the years in the mountains my best. I now live in the farmlands south of Chicago and am enjoying retirement by smithing and spending time with these fellows here.

I'm Ernest Jerry Carroll, known here as Jerry. I have been around metal working of all sorts all my 64 years. I came into the world in the Eastern mountains of Kentucky, Baxter--in Harlan county, coal mining country. Before I left Ky. I had worked in saw mills, coal mines, on a well drilling rig (water)as a plumbers helper with my Dad and his brothers--in coal mines--all by the time I was 15! I moved to Chicago, IL in 1958 and worked several jobs before staying with a copper wire factory several years. Got married to a girl from "down home" in 61--went to work at a Ford stamping plant in 63--retired in 98. During those years 3 sons and a daughter was born. I began martial arts training and after a few years taught at the American Karate Association head Quarters in Momence, IL. under Master John Sharkey. Over the years blackpowder gun building, woodworking, engraving, stock car and drag racing and a more serious interest in smithing has been a part of my life. My wife and kids, Church and now 11 grandkids, of course, have been my main reason for living. I live out in the farmlands away from the town of Momence, IL on a plot of an acre and a half. My smithy is called "Border Towne Forge". I have gained more knowledge from the wonderful people I have met here and next door than I could ever possibly have in any other attempt. I cannot thank you fellows enough. God Bless you!!

You're on our Prayer list here too Monica, believing in Prayer is a well known cure. Happy New Year from the Carrolls, Jerry & Carol.

If you rode the plow mule to town a few years?? ago. If you carried buckets to the spring for water before Paw put pipes in the house. Movies were only open on the weekend with cartoons starting at noon--$.10 admission! If your sisters hair was done in long curls down the back. Mom made most of our clothes. RC cola was 6 cents for a 12 oz bottle and got a refund when you brought the bottle back. Snifffee---anybody got a snot rag?? :oops:

irn--I would like to share the message too in a couple of our local papers. Are you the author? Can I submit it in your name or as something from Iforgeiron without someone wanting to break all my hammer handles? It's a great message!! Happy New Year from the Carroll's

Same from here P.T.Smith "Thank you Glenn" just don't seem enough gratitude tho :cry: I think we should all send him a jug of nog and some of Momma's cookies for Christmas!! Jerry & Carol Carroll sez Merry Christmas to all and prayers for a Blessed new year.

"It was not an act of negligence, just one of those things that happen that we have no control over." And it happens in the blink of an eye!! been there--done that :oops:

Old Moose, your on our list here Pal! We're praying for a quick recovery to start the new year off right. God be with you. Jerry