Tyler Murch

Here it is with another one that I did a few months ago. They have a nice contrast.

Here are pics of the cleaned and waxed vessel. I'm asking $50 for it.

This is a wrought iron vessel I forged from 2-1/4" wrought iron. Keep scrolling down for more pics I wanted the grain to split, and it did. It's nice and hefty and looks like wood. I'm going to be offering this one for sale after I post some pics of it all cleaned up. This took me two hours to do by hand. I upset it some first, then hammered the "thingy" into it. It was fun to do.

That first splitting wedge is about as nice as they get... Twisting it helps it go into the wood easier and wedge it apart more.

Don't forget that it also depends on what you believe in and the angle you are coming from. If you want to use found materials and RR spikes, do it. The best work comes from your true self.

The "HC" means that they are high carbon rail road spikes, not that they are high carbon steel....

It may be IHCP bar. Induction hardened, chrome plated. 1045/1050. Carbon from .43 to .55. It's good stuff. I use it for hammers. Just grind the chrome off outdoors before forging.

I got two JPH books.

Thanks Thomas. Sounds cool. I'll look that up.

Twisting pattern welded material can make it stronger. This is what the celts did during the migration era. It would pop off any scale, making better welds, and the forces of twisting after being welded would make any weak welds apparent.

Lookin' good

Nice'ns Oak.

Michael, cool!

Is those Wally blocks, rt? Good score.

Remember, you should use rainwater or distilled water for quenching. The minerals in most water from the faucet can be troublesome.

Now.....what is the brass on the spine for?

not fluid looking enough,

I hear ya. Although you can cut any shape out of a piece of steel, and grind it to make a knife, forging can lead you in new directions as the piece of steel changes shape with each strike.

It doesn't have to be tear drop shaped, but it is important that it has 1/8" of taper per 1" of drift length. Average finished size of a tomahawk eye is 1-1/8" x 1-5/8". I really like the flattened octagon shape. Basicaly rectangular with the corners chamfered. A pieced together rectangular drift can be made by forging 4 pieces of flat stock on edge to the 1/8" per 1" taper, and welding them together.

Ed Thomas, did Mart ask for a tutorial? No. This isn't rocket science! You can get many ideas from the book I recommended that you may not get anywhere else. This goes for all books. Saying that these books are a "terrible recommendation for someone learning the craft" is crazy.

http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/free-blacksmithing-books-web-2032/#post15592 Lookee here. The book I recommended can be read on the internet.

This book has several shop layout plans, and was originally published in the 19th century. It's a collection of articles from an old blacksmithing newsletter. It also has plans for coal forges and shop tables.

Amazon.com: Practical Blacksmithing, Part One (Volumes 1 and 2): Books: M. T. Richardson

Brine is, shonuff, faster than water.

You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
SO DON'T EVEN TRY

AM, Tong rings or something of the like to hold them shut. The riens are supported by susspended chains while the piece it is holding is resting in the forge or on the hammer dies.

Oh yes. Those are forging tongs.