Rob Browne

Welcome to IFI. Always keep an eye out for maintenance crews along the side of roads. Its amazing just how much "junk" they often leave behind.

This shows just how mild our climate is. Heating the anvil is not really needed here except for working on really fine articles. Then a bit of plate in the fire and put on the anvil works. On the other hand its odd that in my other hobby, astronomy, we spend lots of time chilling our gear :)

With Christmas just around the corner that book is worth its weight in gold just for the projects. After saying that, the rest of the info is brilliant as well.

It is a VERY good book. Even if you are an experienced blacksmith there would be something in it for you but the real power is the simplicity of it all for the beginner. By the time you have worked your way through the exercises you have a good set of tools and skills. Highly recommended.

Another beauty.

That is one clean and neat knife.

Welcome to IFI. Don't forget to have a look at the Getting Started articles off the front page of IFI. Then lots of practice!!

Welcome to IFI And my other piece of advice is to listen to Frosty. My mistake pile is HUGE and I have never tried anything as complex as a sword.

Impressive workmanship and design. As for the photos, try taking from an angle where the tool and centre post are not lined up so both are displayed. Cheers

Buying a really "special" hammer would probably be the way to go BUT don't throw those old hammers you find away. They can be reforged into really useful shapes for general use around the forge.

Like all the others have said you just need a hammer and a lump of something to hit on. Setting up for the first time is not hard, it just does not look right after seeing the collection of things/tools someone else has gathered over time. Your first project would be to make a set of tongs then you are off and running. It does not have to be expensive, and that is one of the beauties of this hobby. You can turn other people's rubbish into really useful/beatuiful objects with a bit of time and practice.

Welcome to IFI Stephen. Looks like you are doing the logical thing and reading everything in sight. Lots to learn :)

Welcome to IFI Rashly. Nothing like some sibling competitition to get things going :)

Welcome to IFI. How about some photos of your forge??

For comparison I paid $132 inc GST for a tonne of coal.

Welcome to IFI. Its amazing just how our hobbies get us hooked on others isn't it?

We do agree but each choose a different path to the same outcome. Cheers

Well done and a really great thing to do for a friend.

Touche But its a nice island.

Welcome to IFI Jay. Look forward to your input.

Welcome to IFI. Remember, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask :)

My point exactly, you need to get the feel for the combination of techniques then move up to the harder steels. Learn one lot of skills at a time. The expense is not really an issue but the ease of working is when you are learning the physical techniques.

You have a real lot of patience, something that not many young fellas have. That is a great job and you are doing it right by using mild to get the skills before trying harder and more expensive carbon steel. I would give it another go and aim at the balance point in the correct position and just a better finish, then repeat again and again. Each time you will get better. Then move up to tool steel and heat treat the beast, not a job to take lightly. Then the hilt has to be set up and a sheath, all skills to be learned in their own right. All this advice is given by a simple tool maker, I do nothing like making swords, a few small knives for the kids but that is all. Great first step!!

You lot have too many states to keep up with :)

Gadge, I use coal from the Clarence Colliery. I just rang and followed the recorded prompts and finally got onto a human. Got a trailer load, normally they sell by the truck load at least but they were really helpful. Not much help if you really want coke but you sure can coke this stuff and it burns REALLY clean. Good luck