Ratel10mm

Late as usual, but happy birthday mate. Hope you had a good one.

Welcome Salty. How about putting your location (need not be exact) in your profile, so we can see where you are - there might be some meets or summat in the area. Also, stick yourself in the Aussie 'Smiths thread, Dale's trying to get every Aussie smith on there.

Welcome to IFI Monster. :)

Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten to post photo's - still waiting on getting our own place with a proper internet connection!!!

Over here there's a TV show called New Inventors. Anyway, friends have told me that one of the finalists was a new sound proofing material that is several times better than than the competition, cheap,and also flame retardant. Since this thread reminded me I mean to find it, I went & found it. Here's the link: New Inventors: QuietWave

I think both have value. I like & would aspire to (but likely never attain) the worshipful company's definition. I once asked Bob Oakes, the first smith I learned from, what it took to be a master smith. His answer; 'I suppose you'd call me a master smith, since this is my forge & I run it.' He wasn't being ego-centric by the way. What he meant was that as the owner of his company; which employs him, his son, a variable(?) number of smiths & allied trades, an apprentice (and boy can that kid smith!) and various younger smiths either gaining work experience or teaching specific courses on his behalf, he was the other definition of a master smith. So that meaning of the term 'Master' clearly has credibility. Note as I said that he sometimes has 'beginner' or 'junior / journeyman' smiths on work experience - this is one of the ways I'd pesonally judge any master tradesman - they're sufficiently comfortable in their own abilities, skills and business that they are willing to give new talent a 'hand up'. I doubt that Bob is alone in this, and I suggest another definition of master smith: Smiths who are willing to give budding smiths meaningful work and the credit for it, are masters in the martial arts aka Yoda style.

I got the Backyard Blacksmith and a book full of ironwork designs. :)

Yes, Cromwell's ground flat stock is always 01 as far as I'm aware. I know Richard (Dancing Frog Forge) has made hammers with 01, so I guess that properly heat treated it'll work fine.

Hello Bob.

Dave!!! Great to see you here mate! Hope all's well with you & yours?

Welcome to the forum Michael. PLease add your location to your profile so everyone can see where you are from - especially as there are a couple of members here who are not far from you, & may be able to offer some help. :)

One of the chaps on BB once turned a Bahco adjustable into a knife. I'll have to try & find the link for you.

Mate, didn't your metalwork teacher ever tell you; "NEVER hit one hammer with another!"? If you're going to do that, make sure you're wearing a full face mask, eh? ;)

Sounds like fun Stewart. :)

Carl, seeing as you have a spoon knife iirc, if I were you I'd carve the shape out of the log if possible, then maybe let the spoon burn in as you shape it so that you end up with the right shape for future use?

I'd say swage if you've got one, but start by twisting it up! ;)

Me too. :)

Welcome to the site Daniel. Please add your location to your profile, as there may be someone close by who can help. Are you using flux? Are you getting the steel to near white heat (NOT sparking!)? What steel are you using - I understand that some have too wide a metallurgical difference to weld together. Don't HIT it the first time, just tap it firmly to set the weld.

Welcome. Always nice to have ladies present. Would you be the one that was at the demo day at the Village Forge?

Welcome to IFI Ian. :)

Ok, I'll check my bank balance & give you a ring. :D

Yup, it is - for me anyway. I've had a message from the anvil seller in the original thread. Details of the anvil are: It weighs about 30.5 kg's. Anvil stands about 200 mm high. 415 mm long tip to tip. Horn is about 120 mm long. Flat table is 265 mm by 85 mm. It's a bit smaller than the ones I'm used to, but at 30kg it is nice & portable. Worth the money plus courier from Vic to Gold Coast?

Pity I don't have that sort of dosh. :(

Hello Stewart. :)