KST1-Derek Fultz

Stormcrow (or anyone else), Do you have a link to a book or site that shows how to do the rope/cord handle wraps and knots? I like the look and functionality of the cord wraps and would like to learn how to do it. Thanks, -Derek

Thanks for all the positive comments! Btw, it is gun blued and waxed. The handle has been heat stained ( not sure what to call it?) and stained with walnut minwax. Ready to do another! -Derek

My Dad (in his late sixties now) asked me to make him a throwing hawk sometime. We used to throw some he fabbed from pipe and sheet stock back when I was a 10 year old, 30 years ago now. He and I watched Ryan Johnson, of RMJ Tactical,forge a wrapped rasp hawk out at the SOFA conference a couple of years ago, and I think he's wanted a forged one ever since. I had picked up a couple of old rasps at a conference not long ago, so I purchased a tomahawk drift and handle and gave it a go. Here's the result. I'm pretty happy with it for my first one. By far the biggest forge weld I've ever done. My homemade propane forge did alright but I had to let it soak for awhile to get up to welding temp. I guess doors would help. We'll see how it holds up if he ever throws it... All critiques and comments are welcome. P.S.: Many thanks to all of you who have posted hawks in the past. Your projects were/are inspirational. -Derek

Jefferson also had kegs of "nail rod" imported from France for his nail making operation. They have some of it there at Monticello. No drawing down stock as it was the correct deminsion already.

CurlyGeorge, you should know all about those Walleye! I've been to the Walleye Festival in your neck of the woods. Yuuummyyy!

Alfonso, I forged a small stainless steel vase for my Mother a couple of years ago. I don't know what the alloy was. It was a piece of schedule 40 pipe. I forged it on my anvil with my normal forging hammer. No clear coat, no wax, nothing, and it looks exactly the same as it did when I completed it. It is an indoor piece. I think your stand will be ok. I have a fire poker forged out of 1/2" stainless that I use in my outdoor fire pit. It stays out by the pit year around. No corrosion to date although it has changed colors from the fire in the unforged shaft area. I also make various stuff from stainless sheet (18-20 gauge) mostly things for the garden. I've been tacking these together with my mig welder, stainless wire, and 75/25 gas. Occasionally, I'll get small rust spots where the welds penetrate the stainless. I've intended to get some citrisurf and try passivating, but haven't. Just my .02, take it for what it's worth, -Derek

There are quite a few old silos and grain bins around here (East Central Illinois) that are sitting empty and unused. Particularly silos as many of the farms that ran cattle in the old days are strictly corn and soybeans now. It's great to see someone using one for such a novel and neat use. And even have plans for the rest of it! Good on ya, -Derek

Yves, I love the silo forge! Looks like a real nice place to work and hang out inside and out. Anything in the bin above? Plans for that space? -Derek

Looks good Macbruce. Out at SOFA a couple of years ago there was one in the gallery someone made of Damascus. Yep, a Damascus rail road spike. Interesting project. -Derek

A couple of weeks ago I stopped by a random garage sale on my way to work. I picked up a BIG 4-way tire iron, a crow bar, and a 4" jaw post vise with the leg missing, but otherwise in good shape. All for....$7.00. -Derek

Stormcrow, what are you using as a drift for the eye of your ax?

Thanks everyone! The fokos has me thinking as well. Pics are great. Sorry for the derailment of your post Stormcrow. Your axe IS really nice. -Derek

I understand that a heavy poll like your ax has is good for splitting. Apparently the weight behind the blade twists as it hits the wood, throwing the blade sideways, and helps to open up the grain. This was the theory behind the splitting ax that Tom Clark invented and patented. I looked up the Gutsul ax that Jake mentioned. According to Wikipedia it is called a "Bartok". I couldn't find any pictures though. Anyone have any? I've been thinking of making a walking axe for some time now. -Derek

Very pretty lines, she's a beaut! -Derek

My granddad,in his retirement, always carried a hoe instead of a walking stick when out in the woods and around the home place. He kept it real sharp all the time. He used it for picking up sticks and things from the ground without bending over, cutting sucker limbs from trees, killing snakes (lots of them), and yes, weeding his garden. A truly multipurpose tool. I carry one in the bed of my pickup for pulling stuff out that has slid up against the cab. Wish mine was as pretty as yours Stomcrow. -Derek

The rope twisters I've seen and used had 3 hooks that spun around making the twine twisted together. This one is new to me. -Derek

I am sorry for your loss. Please except my highest condolences. Derek R. Fultz

I don't usually use hold downs. I do it the way it's done over at Purgatory Iron Works: Blacksmith's Third Hand -Derek CAUTION Off site video that is NOT family friendly

Looks good and stout. I would have been tempted to go with a 3 legged stand, but no reason this one shouldn't work great. -Derek

I noticed this as well. I love the idea and might get one for dust anyway, but I'd really like to see filters for it that were good for welding fumes and/or organic solvent vapors.

My sister has one of those CRICUT personal cutters (Google: Cricut). It will cut all kinds of designs in paper and vinyl. Costs about $250 plus the paper/vinyl, but might save some trips to the sign guy if someone is doing repeat work. Just an idea...(I've never done any etching) -Derek

In thinking about this some more, I think a nice wide spiral/scroll out of 1/8" rod then dished would look nice for the nest to sit in. Some of the nest would show through the negative space. You could terminate the center of the spiral by turning it down and forging an acorn, ball, leaf or something on the end. The outer end of the spiral could be turned up and forged into and nice arc over the center with a hook or eye on the end for hanging. All one piece and flowing. It's an interesting project, can't wait to see what you come up with.

I'm straight north out past the Rodeo grounds. Just sent you a PM with my #. Come by sometime when your over this way. -Derek

Hi Dave, Welcome back to smithing. I live over in Monticello IL,, but work in Champaign (and grew up not far from Curly George as it turns out). I'll be down at the auction he posted as well. I'm part of the IVBA too. Hope to see you at an event sometime. Derek Fultz

I had one of those sparrow nests that are like a ball with one entry hole in it that hung from a limb. I didn't do anything to it. Just zip tied the limb to a big nail in my shop and let the nest hang there like it did in the tree it blew out of (limb broke). It must have hung there for at least 6-7 years. I finally threw it out when reorganizing because it had so much grinder dust on it it didn't look like a nest anymore. Poly could only help though, IMHO. -Derek