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Actually, Roy told how to make taps and dies for cutting threads in wood. However, I can see how some of his methods might be adapted to metal. bart

My mother-in-law had one of the old style wood fired cook-stoves in her kitchen. Used it for heat in the winter, and still cooked on it some too even though she had an electric stove. Anyway, just to make a short story long...I have seen her many times touch up the blade of one of her kitchen knives by honing it on the rounded edge of the cast-iron stove-top. Always thought that was pretty cool. bart

Thanks for all the comments. They are made of hot rolled mild steel. I've had a couple people tell me "shoulda made em out of medium carbon steel...". I guess if they don't hold up, I'll make another pair out of some auto spring I have. Or, what do you guys think about "high" carbon RR spikes? thanks again...bart

When I meet someone new they often ask "What do you do?". My answer goes something like this: "What do I do, or how do I makey living? I make my living working as a hospital pharmacist. What I DO is spend as much time as I can with my family and friends because we never know when this precious gift may be gone forever. I squeeze in a few minutes or hours of crafting bits of wood and metal into items I hope others will find useful, beautiful, or both. I teach adult Bible class on Wednesday nights because I believe there is something beyond the here and now. I fish for trout in the spring, raise a garden in the summer and hunt squirrels in the fall. I love one woman worship one God and pledge allegiance to one country. And I truely try to live in such a way that none of the three will ever be ashamed of me. That's what I do." So am I a blacksmith? Yea, sometimes. A pharmacist? Often. A farmer, fisherman, hunter? Some would say so. A Christian, husband, father, brother, son and citizen? I pray so...let's not let ourselves get too worried about labels. Sorry for the rant and thanks for listening...you guys are all inspirstion for me...allthe best. Bart

I was asked to demo at the October meeting of our local blacksmith group. Forged a nutcracker from 3/8 inch stock. The guys seemed to like it. As per our custom, we raffled it off to help pay for the coffee, donuts, coal, etc Thanks for looking...bart

Forged them out yesterday from 1/2 inch round stock. I think they are the nicest looking tongs I've made to date. Practice, practice... Thanks for looking...bart

This picture taken last evening at the shop of Eugene Ratliff. Our group is afilliated with the Appalachian Blacksmith Association and have been meeting in Eugene's shop for three years this month. I've been involved with this questionable group of characters for the past two years. Seriously, you would be hard-pressed to find a nicer group of people...alwayw willing to share ideas, materials, etc. bart

1. Will get a picture from the end when I get my camera back from my son. 2. Masonry nail knife: Thaknks for the positive comments and suggestions. Bart

1. Upload image to Photobucket or other image hosting site. 2. Copy URL of image location. 3. Paste URL into body of text. There may be a slicker way?? but i havent found it. Bart

Close-up view. Sorry, cant figure out how to attach multiple pix from iphone. Bart

3/8 inch stock. Scaled down for holding masonry nails. I've been making small blacksmith knives from them to give away to friends. Thanks gor looking. Bart

Make good drill bits too: Bart

Thanks guys for all the positive comments. I have made several if these over the past couple years...give them all away! The youngsters really appreciate them (after getting an ok from mom/dad of course!). In my neck uf the woods most males of the species carry a knfe or three starting at an early age. As to the knives themselves i draw out about a third of the length on the "head" end for the blade. The rest is drawn out for the handle. Blade is shaped with files and finished up with emery cloth. I harden and then temper to bronze in oil. Frosty: not sure of the composition of the nails but if you harden in water they will spark. Not as well as a file or hay-rake tine though. A fellow once told me he had an old box that said they were 1095. The ones i have dont say but i dont think they are thst high in carbon...maybe 70 points??You can get the 16d ones at lowes. I had to get the 20d ones from a guy on ebay from a hardware store that was going out of business. I bought all he had! Heres another one msde from 16d nail:

With the raw material: Thanks for looking...bart

Pictured with the raw material: Thanks for looking...bart

Great! Glad to see i finally came up with a good idea...although i think i may have borrowed it (insert sheepish grin here). Bart

Must be the camera angle. The end of mine is atually about 15 degrees off square. The bevel is on the other side, away from the camera. Bart

This post on the Woodworking magazine blog explains things better than i can. A link to measured drawings of two striking knivesnis anout half way doen the post. Thanks for looking...bart http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/3+Things+I+Like+About+My+Striking+Knife.aspx

Adam Cherubini at American Woodworker posted measured drawings of an 18th century original a while back. This one is pretty close in dimensions if not exact. Forged from a hay rake tine, i tempered both business ends to bronze. Seems to hold a good edge. Thanks for looking...bart

Thanks. Heres a shot of the filework on the back. Thanks for looking. Bart

Sorry guys. Old pix must have been deleted. Heres one... Thanks for looking. Bart

John NC...Veeery nice. Would be more portable plus I see opportunity for fancy wood etc. Thanks guys...bart

Frosty...looks good, may have to try a couple. Bart

I bought one bout a yr ago. Has been really handy. Bart

Worked like a charm! We're all full up on marsallows...until the next time. Might have to make a few of those for gifts. Thanks for the positive commenss...bart.