freddy317

Frosty - I like the nut in the wrench hanging idea! I'm going to use that. Das - Nice work! I always look forward to seeing the projects that you create!

Nicely done Charles. When I was a kid (~40 years ago) my uncle rode with oxbow stirrups. His were fully covered in rawhide. I wanted them but my dad wouldn't let me use them. He said that your feet can hang up easier in them (because they are lighter and so much more of your foot - the widest part - is through the stirrup). The length adjustment was a "buckle" with a slide that covered it up to hold it in place (at about knee level). That could come apart and the stirrup could come off - this is how we switched stirrups and or changed the length for different riders. The stirrup could break or it could have fallen off (most likely when leading the horse)

Holly and all of you are in my prayers too.

Thanks for the heads up Frosty! I'm going to DVR it.

Keeping you all in my prayers.

That's great to hear Frosty!

Frosty my prayers are with you both.

Nice work!

Wow! Very nice design, fit and finish!

Very nice! I like the detail on the underside of the hood.

Wow! very nice. How heavy is it?

Those are very unique! Great job!

What a great smile! Keeping her in my prayers.

Very nice!

John, thanks for the pictures. I do find them of interest, especially the Claydon knots!

Wow! That is quite a knife and sheath. Great job. Thanks for posting the pictures!

Thanks for the iron suggestion Frosty! I will try that soon. I will be going through my (limited) scrap pile ... Oh I wish I had access to my dad's scrap pile (before my mom made him clean it up and send it to the iron recycler)!! I wish there were a finish to help preserve the colors! Oh well. Any company is welcome. I would love to see other people's ideas and creativity. Freddy

Thanks Dustin and Das!

Hi all, Seeing the dragonfly that Dogsoldat put on his gate got me thinking about butterflies. I decided that these would be a good project for me. (Butterflies have become a symbol for my daughter since she passed away and my goal is to make one for her cremation niche - bluebutterfly was her email) My mom and sisters and probably nieces will want butterflies at some point. Here is the third one that I made, I am finally getting a shape and style that I like. I'm not sure that I will get good enough with the torch (heat treat colors) to get both wings exact (you can see some of that in the pictures) Freddy

Very nice rockstar!

Very nicely done!

That is very nice!

Please allow us to interview YOU.The following questions are sample questions, and are simply a place to start the interview.1) Name: Layne Hellickson2) Location: Elizabeth CO3) What type blacksmithing do you do, what do you make. I have a few knives in the works. I have made branding irons (branded letters in the bar and cabinets from old barn wood in my basement, had most of the alphabet and my son took them to a friend's place and left them there). 4) How and when did you get started in blacksmithing I grew up on a farm in NE Montana and my dad was always working on machinery around the shop. I guess my first blacksmith project was in 7th grade during shop class, I made a flat screwdriver that I gave to my dad for Father's Day. 5) What object or thing did you use as your first anvil, My dad's anvil that was in his shop, then found a small one (~50#) for myself in a Pawn shop. 6) Tell us about your first forge, hole in the ground, camp fire, brake drum, stacked bricks, I made a knife about 15 years ago, heated with a rosebud on a O/A torch ... after that I found plans for a propane forge and my dad made it for me.7) Who assisted you or encouraged you in the craft My dad, he enjoys fabricating things and has made some me a forge and press that are in my work shop (I used to press to make a billet of Damascus and made rings for my wife and I ... I will use the rest of that billet some day!) 8) What event changed your attitude about blacksmithing I have always been interested in it and wanted to make knives. 9) What tool has changed or made your life easier in the shop Hmmm... not sure, probably my wire welder (one of my dad's neighbors was getting a new one and sold it to him for $100 - we had been looking for one for years)10) What advice would you give those starting out in blacksmithing I guess the best advice I have seen here is "Get started!" ... it is amazing how few tools it takes if you are interested in it 11) What advice would you give those already involved in blacksmithing I am really amazed by how open and encouraging so many people are in this trade; keep it up! 12) What are some of the interesting things that have happened to you in your life as a blacksmith. I went to a knife making gathering in Western Montana with my dad about 4 years ago. They made a can of damascus; that was really interesting. I want to learn to do that someday!Please add any thing we may have missed or should have asked.

All of you are in my prayers!