adambieber

I talked to my in-laws, since we don't keep chickens either.  They said that they leave them out in the yard during the day, but lock them up at night.  OTOH, they had a half grown chick snatched by a hawk right at their feet.  Dogs can help, but nothing is 100%.  One of our friends who lives a bit farther out than we do heard the chicken kicking up a fuss and ran out to find 2 Bald Eagles on top of the chicken coop trying to rip through the roof, and ignoring all four dogs.  Fun in the country.

 

Geoff

By cockerel I mean a rooster. Not cocker spaniel! :)  Though my wife Fay and I would like to get a boxer pup as a family dog. Wonder what one could do against something you're not allowed to kill legally? I knew a hawker (one who trains birds of prey to hunt for people) who had a red tail and the bird got spooked. Ended up on his head flapping and ripping up his scalp. My point bein' I don't fancy goin up to a thirty pound bird with razor sharp claws that's keen on tryin to get at my egg layers. I also don't wanna kill those beautiful birds. Tryin' to mitigate it before it happens.

Even in the city, you need to have them in a coop.  My in laws have chickens in Seattle proper, and they lose birds to feral cats, dogs, coyotes, and especially, they've had problems with hawks (redtails, coopers and sharpshins) and raccoons, and of course, garden variety rats.  We don't have chickens, because we have bird dogs, but you can't really avoid the wild animals.  You must have wild life in Iowa, what do folks there do?

 

Geoff

I don't live in the country unfortunately. I used to live in the country when I lived in VA but the most we had were hawks and an occasional deer. But we also never kept chickens and our cats were indoor. And I'm not trying to avoid the wild. Just protect my future flock. I think a cockerel would help? I don't know. I've never kept them. 

I do know there are some folk that set traps for 'coons and coyotes and the like. But that doesn't always work. 

I've seen bears near my property, heard of cougars, but most of my chickens get taken by coyotes or eagles.  That's what I'd worry about.  An enclosed coop is about the only way to guarantee safe chickens.  I guess there's always new dangers whenever you move to a new place.  If you're moving into Wildlife's neighborhood, you gotta play by their rules.   

Yeah coyotes and eagles love chickens. I wonder if they'd be safe running around while I'm outside? I don't think coyotes are that brave, are they? And yeah I understand it's a different playground out in the backwoods.

Hi,

Very nice sword --- I have make my with 1095 steel -- your picture were very attempted for me to try the clay temper.

 

Some folk told me the temperature should be around 1400 degree, but I am not sure -- so many different story. The clay can be thin from the edge and thick on the top.

I am thinking for my next one -- I will do the sanmai technique -- hard steel 1095 outside and the soft steel 15n20 is in inside ( I have home made power hammer ).

Anyone have any suggestions

Thank you in advance.

no suggestions just some info for another attempt at a later time for you: wumei or five plates. :)

That is a real work of art and I guess function but that's hard to prove these days of relative peace and quiet and real nasty folk carry guns, still is a wonder to look upon.

I carry a knife and gun everywhere I LEGALLY can. I have NEVER used them nor have any intent. It's just for emergencies. I believe I am kind and generous honest. Can you still call me nasty?

This has already been covered, he was refering to the fact there are some un friendly people carring  guns, and a knife is... well lets just drop it.   I also strongly suggest you actually read the site ToS,  You had to legally sign that you read and agreed to follow them, Even if you didnt you will be removed next time you violate them you have been warned before. The rules here are being inforced more harshly after the past summers stupidity.

Frank the craftsmanship you show is beautiful. I also love the artistry you show to display your piece. And welcome to the forum!

We're about 30 minutes from the main Microsoft campus.  We have black tail deer, black bear, cougar, bob cat, coyote, fox, mink, weasels,  hawks, eagles, owls, ravens, and that's just in the front pasture.

 

If by "fairly close to Seattle and Lacey" you mean straight line distance, it's 60-70 miles.  If by drive time, last Friday evening, headed south, it took us the best part of 2 hours to clear the lower edge of JBLM, and that is "normal" traffic, no accidents and dry pavement, on I5.  Graham to Seattle (if by Seattle you mean the UW), I'm guessing that's a 2 hour commute, each way.

 

I'm not trying to scare you, but Western Washington traffic is bad, pretty much all of the time.  There are no good, fast, north/south routes.  Is there something in Lacey that means that you need to be there?  It's a fine place, but close to Seattle, not so much. 

 

If you get a chance to come out for a look, call me.  We'd love to spend a day driving around and showing you the sights.

 

Geoff

I have a buddy from my  time in the army that lives there. I think he could help me get work at the casino he works at. We were both MP (military police) so to me it's no different than working the road on Drum except I don't have to worry about pullin' a firearm on anyone.  That was a bad time..

Wow 2 hours?  I was expecting maybe an hour and a half. I have a wife to care for while she's in school as well as bills and cats. Just basic responsibilities.

Good luck with the purchase!  Did my comment on the 3 smiths motivate the move close to Eatonville?

 

I didn't even mention names.,,

Well to be honest we wanted to be fairly close to seattle and lacey and everything in between. We looked into Eatonville but couldn't find anything. We like the location. And yes as soon as I saw the 3 smiths you mentioned I thought "gotta meet them!" We wanted some country land we could farm a bit and raise some chickens, let our (future) dog run around and just overall be able to breathe! Our home (if we took it) would sit at the end of the road right next to the forest which would be awesome. Get to see some wildlife! I just hope not bear or cougar or bobcat..Don't want my chickens goin missing..

 

I wonder what the balance on a bolo machete with dropped handle would be like? Looks awkward.

Typically the weight is towards the front similar to a kukri: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kukri&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=kukri&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=F133BC2CDF5B0156DA1CD3A8ECC3BEFFBB31C1D6&selectedIndex=3

Ever watch arnis or kali? Those men don't make it look awkward.. they utilize the weight and circular movements to maximize the momentum.

George, you could go sailing to point roberts! :)

Been there a few times. Definitely one of America's best kept secrets. Is without a doubt the most picturesque state I've ever been to. Very beautiful place.

 

Has not just lots of smithing activity but plenty of whatever might interest you. Is something for everybody there.

Sounds like you'll be making a good move. *

George

 

* As an interesting aside to it check out a place called Point Roberts. Is a little piece of Washington that can only be gotten to by land through Canada.

Geoff,  I have your number saved in my phone and will call when we need your help unloading the truck and moving furniture! :lol:

We'd be happy to.  I'm a transplant myself, though I've been here since '59.  My Lady Wife is actually a native, born and bred.  Let us know when you land.

 

Geoff

425-844-0758

billyO I will do that. My wife and I will be the ones lost on the side of the road with the four ways goin'. :D

I should have added, If you ever head to Mt Rainier at Paradise, drop me a line, you may be driving right past my house.  I have 3 neighbors that are longtime smiths (40+ years each).

All within about 8-9 miles out here. 

Out here that's close enough to be neighbors....

Good luck with the move.

Mike I can't say I've ever been that far west or south but I DO understand the heat. Iraq has similar weather (so I've heard). I prefer the heat over the crazy cold myself.

Gentlemen, I think we finally DID IT! We found a nice property (2.45 acres). It's a trailer but its cheap and it's our first home. Askin LOTS of questions about it before we do anything. And if we did take it we would pay cash money and buy it out right. No loan. Taxes seem fairly cheap ($1376 a year). It's quiet so I shouldn't bother too many people while pounding away on steel. The place is in Graham. By the by anyone in that area would be invited to a BBQ meet n greet (BYOB however as we don't drink). Be nice to have some friends fairly close by.

Hi Vaugh T

Thank you very much  for the complements its great if i have motivated somebody  ,couldnt ask for a better complement than that

appreciate your time to coment keep forging mate.

Chris 

Whenever I see beautiful work it KILLS me that I'm not beating metal yet!

Thanks all.

 

Made from 40 layers of 1080 and 15N20 - It's a really small axe as per clients specs.

130mm long
Blade 50mm wide
eye area 35mm wide x 35mm thick at outside of eye

 

Made for hunting - we call it a meat axe

As is cleaning the animal? Or the actual weapon used for hunting?

We haven't bought a house yet but definitely have seen some we like and are still stuck in IA, but we will be there come spring.

The fresh beef woulda been a welcome thing!

I'm excited to find some one to teach me to smith. I know books are a help but it's experience and someone who knows what they are doing that I'm looking for

If you'd be willing to show us around a bit Geoff that would be awesome! I've always wanted to get farther west. Iraq wasn't exactly what I had in mind..  <_<

Love the etching. Nice to see an ax with some mass on the back.

Oh most of what you mentioned is very much part of the reason we are moving there. That and my wife is Chinese and loves seafood and they have an AWESOME fish market (from my understanding) in Seattle, WA. I'm more of a meant and potatoes kinda guy myself. But there are also some listed ABS bladesmiths in seattle.

So my wife and I decided we want out of Iowa. I have some buddies from when I was in the army and they told me a bit about WA. Originally I wanted the Olympia/Lacey area but she want to go to a university so we decided the Seattle area. Is anyone in that general vicinity? Marysville etc? It'd be nice to meet some people out there.

They all looks awesome!

Your bush cleaver looks like a dadao. Was that your inspiration for it?

Do you weld Adam? You can work around it if you don't but I'd highly recommend learning if don't and get a chance. Recent threads on arc welding FYI

No, I don't. some old military injuries get uncomfortable in certain positions. I did try to learn to weld when I got  out of the army but I couldn't maintain certain positions long enough or steady enough to become a welder.  I also almost died of pneumonia that year (last october) and had to drop out because I couldn't catch up no matter how hard I tried.

Got it in one Adam, apprentice = indentured servant who's eventual pay off is the opportunity to learn a trade.

 

I wasn't trying to say anything about you with my examples of guys wanting the easy way into the craft. I was just presenting one reason it's harder to get time with a blacksmith without learning enough of the jargon to communicate. When you run into enough guys wanting the easy way it can make you a little short with folk. That's not a good thing but it happens.

 

Part of what I'm saying is don't give up on the local smith. Pick up a little of the craft, be polite but be persistent. Maybe show up early with a box of donuts and coffee or maybe at closing with a six pack. Before showing up with a six pack I try to find out if there's an alcohol problem to avoid. the locals at the coffee shop are usually a good source of such and usually a good IN with the locals. drink coffee, shoot the bull, get to be a known character and your odds go up.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

Ah sounds right.

Unfortunately he lives two hours away and I have a wife to take care of as well. While she's very supportive, I also have to think about her needs and wants as well. She would be totally bored watching lol. I was, however, watching blacksmithing documentaries on youtube last night and learned quite a bit.

This is awesome. Looks a xxxx of a lot better! (is that considered "bad" language on here? If so sorry..)

Yes, and it got Xed out

I sincerely appreciate all the advice. I'm definitely willin' to bust my..butt to do this. I know it's not easy. Frosty I think what you're talking about is indentured servant. Maybe I'm wrong.

All I want is to learn the craft. It's amazing to me that we've learned to control such powerful elements.

Dan C thank you for looking. I'm not a fan of craigslist..had a bad incident with someone on there. Now if I do anything business wise on there I always carry a knife or have somethin close by.

Thor I think my neighbors would love the banging I bring to the neighborhood.  :D   I live in a quiet college town (Iowa state university) and the neighborhood is quiet as well.

I really do appreciate all the advice. Bein on here is gettin me more and more fired up..no pun intended :lol:

Well Adam I think it's great that you are interested in the craft. Usually I would recommend finding a group near you to attend from this list~

 

http://www.iforgeiron.com/page/index.html/_/articles/a0000-blacksmithing-groups-r75

 

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a group in your area.  My best advice is to go to some meetings of your local ABANA affiliate because that would put you directly in contact with blacksmiths and you could get your hands dirty while you learn a whole bunch.

 

Don't fret though, I think I have an idea. Just because there is no ABANA local in your neck of the woods doesn't mean there aren't any blacksmiths around. If I were in Ames Iowa I would go here~

 

Skei Coal and Wood. 639 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, USA. Tel. (515) 232-4474. CellPhone (515) 231-2960  Biggest supplier in state of Iowa for coal and coke. Blacksmiths' coal in 50# bags. Soft coal & hard coal. Also supplies hard coal for heat.

 

And ask the owner if he may know any smiths he could introduce you to, and ask if you can post an ad on their bulletin board. Most places like that have one out front by the door. Don't worry, there are blacksmiths near you. Once you find them you will find a lot of your questions answered and get some good pointers. (they know where all the anvils are hidden away at too)

 

Good luck! 

Lincoln way? Thats really close to where I live..10 mins cause its on the other side of town not that it matters. Like I said in my intro post the nearest smith I could find doesn't take apprentices and he's listed on ABS

Oh I miss my Zelda days.. Looks good

Ok please forgive me in advance. I did TRY looking it up so I'm gonna ask because I couldn't find what i was looking for. I'm not even smithing yet but I'd like to get an idea for when I can. I know that some people suggest a train track. But I do have some money to invest with so if I can get actual tools like that then I'd rather go that route. I also know that not one anvil can do it all. So what I'm looking to do is start small. Make some blades, pound some metal etc. I have no intentions of going big yet. But I'm not sure what kind of anvil to get, where to get it, what style etc. I was looking at stump anvils, double horns..It's a lot for a noobie and I don't have an actual teacher with the exception of the ones on the other side of this screen! :D

That thing looks so heavy that all you have to do is drop it on them!

I know there are some interesting things that are collected: hand cuffs, stamps, coins, restored antiques (signs, refrigerator units) etc. So now I'm wondering if anyone collects antique anvils or even blacksmithing tools? If so could you post pics? If this is the wrong section (I dont think it is)'m sorry. Also if this is a repeat post again I apologize and understand if it gets deleted. Unfortunately I can't start the post off with pictures as I haven't even started smithingyet.

I know this is an old post but it looks like an NCO sword from WW2, NCO is non commissioned officer. Think sergeant, corporal, sgt major etc.