blkbear

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Much clearer now. I will definitely look into those free volumes. Brian

Thank you for your replies. This helps immensely. Brian.

If you go to www.thak.ca and look at the course schedule you will find a week long course in Japanese swordmaking sometime during the summer in south western Ontario. Expensive. I will need a lottery win to attend. Brian

A question on the number of heats before light steel eventually becomes burnt and uinuseable. Lets say I have a 14 inch piece if 5/8 round light steel that I want to make into a kitchen implement. Being a beginner I would need to take more heats on the steel than when I acquire more skill and knowledge. So my question is how many heats would be OK before the steel becomes burnt and useless - assuming a bright cherry heat each time and no forge welding?? Is this an exact science or more experience and observation? Brian

I have a question about the face of ananvil that I am considering purchasing. The anvil in question is brand new from a prominent manufacturer of good quality and reputation. The question I have is that the anvil face is marked and gouged. Enough so that it would leave marks on a piece of work were I to hammer on the piece over the marks and gouges. Is this normal for a new anvil?? AShould I consider it and grind down the face to a smooth state?? Would the same apply to a used anvil?? Brian

On a recent road trip I stopped at a KFC and ordered a sandwich and a drink. Total came to $6.66. When I mentioned it to the clerk she said "yeah, a lot of people get freaked out about it and order something extra to change their total". Is this coincidence or planned to increase sales??!! Inquiring minds would like to know! No, I did not order anything extra. Brian

G'day to you all from the valley - Ottawa valley. I have just joined and this looks like an amazing place. Some very useful information and informative forums. I am just starting out and am soaking up as much information as I can. Once the warmer weather, I have no workshop and must work out of doors, gets here I intend to fire up a gas forge and get going on a few things - forge welding being one. I look forward to contributing and conversing with all of you and I hiope that we can meet up face to face some time soon - sorry, I cannot make it to Seattle this year. Brian Scott