Got the "bug" about thirty years ago. My older brother started smithin' at home in the garage. Making blades and other cutting things. I watched and got sort of interested then let it fall off until I completed my career in the Army. Started working in IT after retirement. I absolutely HATE this IT stuff! So, bought a small 55 pound anvil, worked the surface smooth with files and am building my forge to treat the anvil. I've been stocking up on "maple" charcoal courtesy of my friend's old tree that we split, am collecting "steel". Some follows me home, other is donated. Been dragging the web for references, purchased a few "how to" books and have a series of tools that I'm going to build on my own.