Matt Smith

Good point, might consider that when the time comes

Matt, the first 2 meeting are just come and enjoy, and learn/share. After that we would like for you to join the IBA, which is about $35 a year for a family. We bring odds and ends for Iron in the Hat, and the host usually has an entree, and folks bring pitch-in stuff for lunch.
For a day of learning sharing if is pretty darn reasonable:)

ok thanks I was, hoping to eventually start off small such as at a flea market or such then work up towards possibly a website or even a store.

Just curious I was wondering for those of you who make and sell knifes, axes,swords etc.. where and how do you sell your items. Do you have a booth somewhere, a website, etc... I ask because someday I would like to be able to open a small business selling my knifes and other items i make. Thanks for any replys

Matt, I am a member of the Indiana Blacksmithing Association. We have a number of satalitte groups across the state. I am in the Southern Indiana Mereorite Mashers and our group meets in Paoli, Salem and Floyds Knobs in rotation. Our meeting this month is in Cannelton Indiana just up river from Tell city tomorrow during their heritage festival. We are going to forge a split cross from 3" square steel right in the street as a demo. If you are free, Cannelton is not too far I think.
There are a several of knife makers in our group, and notably Billy Merrit, know as a fine teacher of pattern welding and knife making is our forge master.
The Novemeber meeting will be at my shop, the Saturday after thanksgiving, in Floyds Knobs, and the lunch entree will be Hickory smoked turkey.
You would be most welcome

Welcome
If you havent check out the Indiana Blacksmith Assoc they are a great bunch of people

Hello, Ive been posting for a while and I have been meaning to introduce myself for a while but just havent had the chance. I am 26 I have been smithin for about 6 months so far, I have a lot of diffrent hobbies , leather craft, airbrushing, auto paint and body repair, carpentery, and others. I got into smithing because I have been an advid knife collector since I was about 10 and I have always been facinated with the procces of making and forging tools, blades, etc. My goal is to become adapt at smithing to where I can eventually sell my work. I am currently in school to recive my MDiv ( master of divinity degree). Which basically means I am in trainning to be a fulltime minister as well. I am currently a youth pastor in the church of the Nazerene, Most significant thing that occured in my life recently was I was married to my wife in this past May. I hope to get to know alot of you as I seek to grow in this craft, I have seen alot of your guy's work and there are some very talented people on this forum.
-Matt

Unfortunatly I cought only part of it but what I saw was great, I hope to see the whole thing later in the week.

good tutorial

good for you... This goes to show that being polite and courteous even when in the face of being wronged can go along way... I think you have handled this situation in an awesome manner, and I am glad to here that things are finally starting to work out for you.

Thanks for the advice

I too try to scrounge up materials from
where ever i can get them... nice Knife

Any suggestions or experiments with these regulators

Ok I have another question afte I get the burner set up I know Ill have to hook up to propane source via hoses conectors regulator etc... my question is can I get a adjustable propane burner that is used for like turky fryer or grills that are adjustable from 0 to 30psi....or do I have to buy the more pricey regulators such as those sold on zellerforge website and others.I ask because I want to keep te buld cost as low as I can. Thanks yet again for any help

Thats a great video, thanks for all the idea guys

anyone know any sources for good burner design/ how tos?

thats an awesome design, I may look into that

Thats not a bad design but i was hopping for something more horizontal that I could have a front and back door for longer pieces

Currently I use a coal forge but down the road I would like to build a gas forge I have been looking at diffrent designs and I am intrestedn in building a forge mostly for blade smithing but I would one day like to try my hand at swords. I do not have axxess to a welder so I was wondering if any body has any plans or good how- to's to build a good gas forge which can be used for blade smithing, that can get up to forge welding temp ,that can be built without the need of welding it together. I have viewed several designs such as useing paint cans, old propane tanks, etc with high temp furnace wool and refactory coatings with various burner types... Im looking for advice and or instructions on a good realitivly simple design that is affordable to build. Thanks for any help or suggestions

thaks for advice

Not Bad for a first knife I say

ok Sure thing...it will be a while before because I am working on some other projects at the moment but Ill give it a try.

Hi, Im working on a themed knife and I was wondering if you can etch designs onto a Damascus blade such as lettering patterns, etc.. I am considering doing an acid etch so any info would be helpful thanks

Thanks for the advice guys, I think Ill just let it stay the way it is, its not real Bad and I hope to acquire a real anvil someday down the road. Does any body have any suggestions for making something to use for hardie hole tools I know that I can use my vice but I was hopping to have something a little more Hardie Hole like to use, In have reade that some use square tubing for this purpose.

so if i did have it welded, I should preheat the anvil first?