Odin's_Hammer

it burnt a good bit but not anything serious unfortunatley it just couldnt get hot enough and the fuel burns too quickly just gonna line the cast iron firepit with charcoal and lumber that worked for me last time

the lid and blower didnt really help because the charcoal burns really fast but i got a steel rod in there minus the blower and the plates i was using were cast iron aha silly me its ok though cuz the steel seems to be working yet not red hot yet what do you guys think?

my first attempts at a sword

well the only reason is the metal im using is a 5 lb plate of solid steel for weightlifting i dont use my 5 lbs (for benching) and its too big for a small forge alas im nearly complete building a design i saw somewhere ill post a picture when i finish

thats interesting you talk about mr furrer i just watched a viking sword documentary with him i looked at his website but im still unaware of how i could get a class im guessing through a college but does anyone know about how i go about trying to get in a class with him

thank you for the pep talk, frosty

I've been reading around here and i think i have a basic understanding of what i need to start my blacksmithing journey (swordsmithing)

although i was curious if there is any way i could find an apprenticship? or even just a blacksmith apprenticeship i live about 15 minutes from chicago if anyone knows someone closebye or maybe even a shop that does classes? this is something ive always wanted to do and i see it as a great hobbie and possibly even a career if i can get good thanks guys :D

i need some good forge ideas because firepit and hair dryer arnt the best aha I'm just starting to really get into this and i need some good ideas for a budget forge with an opening of about 2 feet by 2 feet i seen this one in the forums http://zoellerforge.com/firebrickforge.html and i really like this one so if you guys have any other ideas maybe similar to this id love to hear em heres me being rained out tonight with the forge im using also where to get some nice tongs? or other begining type supplies? thanks guys

so im looking for some steel to start my first smithing projects planning on just making some small knives because i have a grinding stone although i cant seem to find any most of the stuff i see online seems pretty expensive and im a bit tight on funds im about 15 minutes north of chicago if theres anyone that knows a place in the area to get some or quite possibly a good online vendor? iron would work aswell though ps what is a good starting anvil? that i could make thanks guys

First off ill start by aplogizing for this thread because I'm sure questions like this come all too often so ill try to keep it brief. I've always been interested in blacksmithing but never knew where to start also ill start by saying i have very limited funds so some starting ideas for things to craft metals to buy equiptment is what im interested in finding out im interested in building swords knives axes things of this nature but anything more simple i could try as well i have many tools or rather my dad does (im 18) he was an aircraft mechanic for over 20 years so i have alot of stuff alas an anvil is not one of them also i dont have too much space and as for a fire i only have a small iron firepit, my current living arrangment is in a suburban area so I am limited to this, Im really dedicateds to this, its something Ive wanted to do since I was young and I apprecieate you for all our patience and understanding thanks guys :D