TheoRockNazz

Hi gang!

I am happy to say I am moving into a newer and better shop soon, but for the first time will have to try and find a way to bring the noise and vibrations down.

A little information on the shop and me: I run a small teaching forge in Brooklyn that focuses entirely on knives and swords. Because of size constraints and for safety we have no more than four students at a time, each usually working on their own unique projects. For noise making we have two 2x72 grinders, a roller, an AnYang press, three anvils, two forges, and a partridge in a pear tree.
No powerhammers in our future.

So the new place is located inside Industry City, and they had some minor concerns about sound and vibration for the floors above us (we are on the ground floor, which is solid concrete with no basement).

I know about the rubber pads under anvils, but any other recommendations?

Theo

Fancy pictures from Jim at Sharp By Coop.
As always, thank you all for the support

The stack welded up easily. It was from NJ Steel Baron.

Thank you!

Thanks gang!

Sorry, totally spaced on getting better photos. Jim (Sharp By Coop) will get it for sure

First blade of 2019!

W2 cutting edge stacked with a twist core and wrought iron spine. Blade was deeply hot blued then sanded back ever so gently to make the pattern pop. Cast bronze fittings with buffalo horn.

Theo

Last blade of 2018, woot! Happy new year yall!

Forged 80CrV2 full tang drop point with hamon. The blade is blued for added protection against the elements. Handle is buffalo horn with 3D printed cast bronze fittings - I like to leave a bit of the casting texture on the bronze for character. 

See ya next year!
Theo

On 12/22/2018 at 9:08 AM, JHCC said:

Still disappointed that they cut out all your bad puns.

Haha, too true.

Thanks guys!

Heya gang,

Check out this amazing article The New Yorker did about bladesmiths in NYC. It features fellow Forged in Fire contestant Frankie Sausto, several of my students, and my ugly mug.

It's all about passing it on,

Theo

I am happy to finally show off the economy custom chopper series we've been working on the past six months!

The blades are all 80CrV2 high carbon tool steel forged to shape, rough ground, and heat treated by yours truly; then final ground and assembled by Justin Kirck, who also made the leather sheathes. Handle materials include stabilized burls, hybrids, micartas, and hardwoods. While this isn't the completed set, the choppers here are great representation of the fun materials we got to play with.

Truthfully, and I will only say it here; this was way more work than we thought it was going to be, and we struggled to keep up with the timeframe the whole time. Who knew teaching and do a run of knives would be a lot for just two people?!   :3

More collaborations are on the horizon, I will keep yall in the loop!

TheoRockNazz.com - JustinTheBlacksmith.com

I got started with one of his books. We have lost a great man.

WOW! Those look fantastic! I'm so glad other smiths are having as much fun with 3D printing as I do

Nicely done, looks solid and practical

Stunning! Well done

Thank you for the insight and input

Thank you guys!

Been a while since I posted - been busy upgrading the shop!

I've been teaching full time about a year now and thought it was time to step things up a level. Expanded my area and finally have it's confines clearly defined so I can settle in. Still tweaking things, but I am very happy so far, the flow is much better. 

Now I feel comfortable offering teaching opportunities for my fellow bladesmiths interested in vising us in The Big Apple. If this sounds like fun to you please reach out to me for more information on how this would work. Mace Vitale has already started the process and Walter Sorrells and I have been plotting, I hope to have them scheduled for later this year (or early next year). 

Lastly, the front hallway/entrance to the forge has been turned into a small gallery of student, teacher, and local bladesmiths to show off their wares. I want to include work from anyone interested in displaying their blades - we get lots of eyes on them via walk-ins and students. I do not plan on selling blades for other smiths, but send lots of cards for people to take so I can help arrange sales. Currently it's just the 3 cases (bolted to the table), but I am picking up some sword sized as well.

Always looking for input on everything,
Theo

Wonderfully done! On to the next!

Fantastic work - it's been great watching your blades progress.

Your patterns are becoming cleaner and better defined. The handles look solid and comfy, plus the material is just tons of fun.

My only critique is to find a balance between your lines. Your knives tend to be lean towards roundness or edges; soft or hard. Your first knife strikes the best balance in my opinion.

A set of skinners I forged for a father and two sons. The scales are antler from a deer they hunted with their grandfather before his passing, and the inscription is his initials plus harvest year. Forged 80CrV2 blades with hamon, bronze fittings and brass pins. Any time I can make something special, that has a lot of meaning to a customer and their family, I jump right on it - by far the most rewarding commissions. Sheaths by bladesmith Justin Allen Kirck.

Yes they did, bet they're awful proud and the lucky recipient happy

Pictures are necessary

Sounds like you quenched too hot and got some cracking and/or made it far too brittle. Pictures please

Heyall!

Here are some pictures from blade. It was great seeing you guys there, sorry if I seemed frazzled - I was!

Almost packed the cat, she blends in with the bag too well.

I have not made a whole lot this past year and a half... but my students sure have! Check out this long montage of students at the forge and showing off their knives!

New pirates movie anyone? Pirates of the Brooklyn

Luke and Eli finished these AMAZING swords a couple days ago!! These kids are 13 and 15 and doing better blades than folks twice their age. Remarkable! Luke (left) forged a damascus blade from 15n20 and 1095, and forged mild steel fittings with caribou. Eli (right) forged an 80CrV2 blade with copper and walnut. So proud of em!

Stupid me forgot to get close ups... haha