keykeeper

I agree, looks like a Hay Budden, judging by the slim waist and long heel. Usually they have pretty strong marks on the side, unless they have been abused on that area. I'd snatch it for that price, if there's no large chunks out of the face. Hard to tell without more pictures.

I've seen that mark on some tools I have, but the name of the company escapes me. If that's the same mark, that company was making hammers in the early 1900's. Should make for some fine forging!! Merry Christmas!

Jose, That is a great little design. Thanks for posting!!

Nice use of a claw hammer, also. Can just imagine what that anvil would have been like to work on before someone "removed" the heel. Good editing of the video, looks like it was intentional so everyone would think he was working it cold.

What a shame. Enjoy yourself wherever you go to hang out, Thomas. Like Rich said, there's gonna be a gap. That's all I have to say, for fear I may say something someone may take offense to. Now who's gonna tell us what book to look in, for whatever blacksmithing history through the ages we are looking for.:(

Don't some knives use a pin to hold the butt cap on? I know I have seen that somewhere, although I've never done it myself. Nice design on the components, by the way. The recipient should be happy.

Thanks Finnr, I also "youtubed" it and found several videos on flint and steel fire-making. Now to make a few strikers and have a go of it. Ya really do learn something new everyday!

I made a few and gave them away. One of my friends took it off his keyring because of what people might think. From now on, I'm making horseshoe nail forks!

Good topic here. I have seen many of these made and shown here on IFI. Never have made one myself, but would like to someday. I have (literally) a half-ton of coil spring steel for stock. Maybe I need to research them some more, but exactly how are they used. Do you strike the flint against them, or the striker against the flint? And, where do you get the flint stone at? Someone please clarify this for me.

Sounds like you had an encounter with the Blacksmith's Holiday Spirit, Trollhammer. John, you are to be commended for your generosity. Well done!

No problem, that's what we are here for.

Here's one link to one of the forum member's website, he may chime in also. MILD STEEL FIREPOT Here's another Fabricated Fire Pot by Bob Patrick Here's another member's website with details on his firepot index Enjoy!

1/4" will work for the air slots, but you may find clinker has a way of obstructing the slots, if you are using coal. I would use anywhere from 3/8" to 1/2" slots, about 3 would be sufficient I would think. The fire will form it's own "cone" of glowing coals, starting in width just past the outside of the slots, and increasingly get bigger as it goes up. Just about all firepots form the fireball differently. If you search the web, you'll find most commercial firepots designed with this in mind. Basically a firepot is a cone/pyramid shape around the outside of the fire burning, allowing you to push coke into the fire as it is formed from all around the fire. Google "fabricated firepot", you'll find several. I just don't remember where I found them without digging out a binder full of printouts lost somewhere in my house. You may want to make your tuyere plate removable, so you can change the design until you find what works for you. Just my .02 Dinar worth, I'm sure someone will correct me if need be.:D

Your work never ceases to amaze. Very well thought out design and execution on this one. Incorporating the handle into the main design feature is a great idea.

I second that motion, Rich. Now, everyone break it up and go forge something to relieve the stress! (I really hate "mines bigger/better/faster/prettier than yours" debates on forums!)

Very, very nice work. I really like the way you incorporated the glass into the second one, very pleasing to look at and draws the eye directly to the center of the piece. Wow.

No problem, just didn't want you to learn about flying orange hot steel like I did. Had a spike fly up in an arc, straight towards my chest. Grazed my shirt, burning it in the process. Luckily, a wise man told me when I first started, whenever something flies or drops, just get out of it's way quick. Changed my tongs, no more problems or loose hot projectile metal.

I have to agree with Frosty on this one. I posted before about this on another similar thread. Might I remind everyone that the fellow said "250 and 500 gallon" tanks some time back in thread. I think that equates to an even bigger buildup and subsequent, BOOM. For a tank that size, I would think if you need two halves, just fabricate them someway out of a thinner sheet steel. I'm sure it would be faster and easier than going, BOOM. When John Madden says, BOOMpeople think it's funny. When someone we don't know personally, but was warned repeatedly about the dangers involved cutting into a propane tank GOES BOOM, not very funny. (Anyone notice the common theme of this post?)

Good looking knives. But I do have a question-Are you holding the spikes with the nippers pictured to the left of the knives? If so, how well do they hold them? I've found that a set of tongs that really grip the spike well keeps them from going willy-nilly when I hit them hard, making my forging motions more productive. Also, I had a few times starting out when ill-gripped pieces went airborne. Not fun by any means. You don't want anything you are hammering on to turn or go side to side in the tongs. Bad ju-ju. A couple short pieces of 1/2 inch angle welded onto the jaws of your nippers would make a dandy set of RR spike tongs. Keep hammering!!

Thanks Mark, from me as well. It will be added to my homemade book (binder) of blacksmith knowledge. Nice, simple design that from the pictures looks like it draws very well.

JPH, I just said another prayer for you when I read the part about 32 years in LE. That's the magic number of years of service I'll have to reach to collect my retirement in the LE job I have. Get well soon, and know that a brother officer is pulling for you. Would have loved to see the expression on that officers face when he saw you were "packin' heat". -aaron c.

How about looking at this thread, it may be of help. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/building-coal-supplier-list-6475/ I'm sure someone from your area has posted something ref: coal in your area/locale.

Get well soon Dr. Jim. All of us "wannabes" need your input here on IFI when we have one of those "Just gotta ask it" questions about blades. And your on the list for prayer for a speedy and full recovery. -aaron c.

I work outside, and live *directly* beside a church. All other neighbors are at least one lot away from me. As said before, it helps to know the neighbors schedules. So far, no troubles. However, on occasion I do forge a little, or mow and run a weedeater during church. I call it neighborhood relations. If the pastor comes over to complain about the noise made while church is in, I promptly apologize, and assure him that as long as his flock doesn't speed up the street after church, endangering the playing kids on our street in the process, I'll find other times to forge or mow. Has worked so far.

Nice score, I looked at the pics on the site. Do you have any of the other side? Oh yeah, get that youngster a real smithing hammer, might as well get him started out right!:D