Wayne

An old film of French smiths

If people are prepare to drink (expensive) coffee beans that have been eaten and passed by cats then cow chip coffee could be the next new craze? Imagine praire coffee - straight talking coffee without the bull B)

I used to love this song but it will never be the same again

I have used the company a time or two but I do not know if they ship Stateside. http://www.pureiron.co.uk/price_list.htm Wayne

It seems you can learn something new every day :D http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-life/medieval-blacksmith.htm

Basher The picture of the original blades is interesting, At the bottom is the lunet shape which I see as a leather workers tool, there are two others with hilts at 90 degrees to the blade that would also serve the same purpose ( either that or herb choppers)

We have 'Pickers' over here, or at least that is a polite term for them. Coming on to peoples property to see if there is anything of value - usually at night and when there is no one around........... I agree about tool prices though they have gone absolutely crazy here, tools I bought for a few pound years back are now going for thirty or forty :blink: Wayne

When your unit is on a live fire exercise and you are in the butts changing the targets and a spent tracer round lands nearby - dont try and pick it up dooh :huh:

The first knife is 19.4cm long The second knife is 15 cm long The third is 14.5 cm long

Ok, So I checked my copy of Catalogue of Romano British ironwork by the British Museum. And I was mistaken about the loop handled knife but there are others that you may find interesting

If you are really into rushlights then try to find a copy of 'The rushlight and related holders; a regional view' by Robert Ashley ISBN 0954009002 This is a big A4 size book studying all the different types of rushlight and cresset light in Britain. It looks at the types found in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and also the individual styles found from county to county. The only down side is that only 1000 copies were printed so you may have to search for a copy or go through the library system. There is a copy on ABEbooks in a shop in Georgia but you are looking about £120 for it.

Also try Fire and light in the home pre-1820 by John Caspell ISBN 1-85149-021-3 Covers fire starting, fire steels, strika a lights, tinder boxes, candle moulds, candle snuffers, candle boxes, grissets, brass candle sticks, Iron candle holders, oil lamps, chandeliers, rush lights, Lanterns. How about a sheet brass soap holder with candle holder to hang on the side of your bath?

Hmmm Seems to jammed all my text together for some reason

Hi Ed Rush lights as I know them are as follows, Firstly rushes, what type is not really important as long as they have a good pith (spongy looking stuff inside) Cut them about 12 inches long and while still green peel off all the outer bark except a narrow strip about 1/8th of an inch wide to support the pith, this is the fiddly bit. Once you have peeled the rushes set them to one side to dry. When they are dry you are ready make the lights, for this you will need fat of some sort - cooking lard, bacon fat, dripping of the sunday joint etc. Place the fat in a wide shallow pan and melt it down - originaly there were purpose made pots for this called grissets if I remember correctly. Lay the lengths of rush in the melted fat so it soaks up as much as it will hold. The aim is to load up the rush but not build it up like a candle as it will not support the weight.When they are fully coated lay them aside to cool and set. You should end up with lengths of rush that are waxy on the outside. To use they have to be held at an angle of about 45 degrees, they will not burn if they are vertical like a candle. Light the top end of the rush and you are away, if you need more light then light the other end this gives you more light but less burn time - hence the saying 'burning the candle at both ends' WARNING - because you are using fat/lard you cannot leave rush lights laying around as they will go rancid in hot weather and also attract mice so wrap the in cling film or foil and keep in the fridge. Traditionaly they were stored in bran tubs as were early candles which were also made from rendered fat/Tallow. So if you read about folks eating candles to survive it is tallow candles being talked about not wax ones. Sorry for the long missive, hope it helps Wayne

There is a book - I think it is the 'british museum book of roman finds' a fairly old book but lots of info. There is a loop handled knife in that, I will dig it out and find the picture.

When I was at Doncaster working for IH just before Case bought us, a lad I was working with was setting up a vertical broach. He had the broach at its top point when one of the cutters slipped out of its coupling, by reflex he tried to catch it. The 40lb broaching cutter dropping at speed was half way through his hands before he let go. His hands were ripped to shreds and was a month or so before he was back at work.

Just read today that Hector Cole has been awarded an MBE in the Queens new year honours list for services to blacksmithing.

To check that no beggar had pinched it while your back was turned?? :ph34r:

I am going to be on duty at the hospital, but I don't mind as I had christmas day off with all the familly Brings home that no matter how bad you think things are, there is always someone worse off than you... Wayne

The progressive radii bring to mind a stepped die for a press or hammer Start you bar at one end and work down to the finished shape?

looking at the credits it mentions Firth Rixon. If memory serves me right this company used to supply us with drop forgings for axle shafts and ring gears when I worked for Case IH at Doncaster. This was before we started getting cheap 'stuff' from Italy. We have a large drop forge here at Lincoln but I have not had chance to see it, its at one end of Lincoln called stamp end. On a clear night you can hear it across the city. Wayne

Looks like a big daddy version of the presses used to flatten horn to make lantern plates and such.

If work rota runs to course I will be free that weekend. Wayne

You can have a patch of concrete outside but need to supply own building, security, insurance and what happens if you have to move or the owners sell up? I would walk away and keep looking. Wayne

For me - reading and medieval re-enactment. for a change from smithing I have taken up wheel wrighting and currently getting bits together to dabble at bronze/brass casting