Dave Parker

Very impressive work. Thanks for sharing

Very nice but for some reason my mind keeps flashing back to old horror movies. Stay away from isolated wooded areas with that thing :-)

Sometimes you get lucky, I found a small 55lb Kohlswa at a flea market a few months ago for $100. I didn't need it but for the price ... Anyway, It comes in handy for small quick jobs and is easy to move around. It would be nice to find a larger one. Joe, I enjoyed your video. I wish I had started that young.

Love the new look, I’m sure we will get used to it soon enough. Thank you for all the hard work.

Chuck, It look strong and functional to me, I think your brother will be very happy. Thanks for sharing. Dave

You got yourself a keeper but you already knew that didn't ya. Congrats.

Got me beat, I am still making them out of RR spikes, files and wrenchs. Chain may take me a while. Great job, thanks for sharing

Send a picture so we can help you

I have the book and it is clear the man is a master at his craft. It is definitely a good resource and reference for the part time/new knife maker. The tips and techniques are well worth the price and he seems to favor a make do/minimalist approach before investing in lots of kewl tools and equipment.

Very nice, it would make a good presentation piece.

Interesting topic, wait and buy quality or learn to use what is available and work up. We had a similar issue in the sword club. A few fights started over buying papered Japanese blades over what some called WWII junk. Some felt those suggesting the higher priced blades forgot their start. Most of us started buying what we could afford and traded up as knowledge and income allowed. I suspect craftsmen and collectors have that in common. In the end, most of our tools will outlast us and we should be willing and proud to transfer our treasures and knowledge to another generation. As a rookie, I find the tips, techniques and insight on this site invaluable. No matter where we stand on quality over availability I think most of us share a real desire to learn and be a part of keeping an ancient craft viable and finding the balance between history and discovering new methods and pushing the craft forward. Interesting topic indeed.

My advice, keep looking or attempt to talk him lower. Unless you need it right now or rarely see one in your area. Timing and availability are everything. I see them often at some of the flea markets here in Florida. I passed over a few ranging from $100-200. When I went later in the day, I picked one up for $55. Seems he did not want to keep hauling it around. He started higher but quickly dropped it when I told him I would use it and was not a collector.

You have been added to my list. It is also good to see you back Frosty. God Bless you both and your families.

Prayers said, it is in his hands now. When this is over make sure you let us know and give thanks.

Saddleboat, You did well, congrats.

True but mostly, I do it to keep from ever starting the work. The design of the best project doesn't matter if you never start it. According to my wife, I am getting lazy. I need to remember to someday prove her wrong.

I transitioned from a Harbor Freight ASO. Much easier to use than a rock or the head of an old sledgehammer. I found the ASO useful but added a 3-inch steel plate to the top. I welded little flanges to the sides and a bolt that fit in the hardy hole. The steel plate snapped on to the top stayed put and served me well until I moved up another notch. I have several anvils now but keep the ASO as I have a few hardie tools that fit it and if I plan my projects right, I can set up the different anvils with different tools to speed me up. The one thing I wish I could figure out is how to find/use a lightweight anvil magnetized to draw the hammer forward and then reverses to push the hammer away. And a portable but solid anvil stand, with adjustable heights. When that is all worked out, I’ll design an entire blacksmith shop that will fit into a car trunk. Or maybe I’ll quit day dreaming and actually work. Cheers

Very nice, I have never made a bottle opener but think I’ll give it a go later.

Army 85-06 Tours included: 2nd Inf Div, Korea 5th Special Forges Group (Bragg and Campbell) 2nd Inf Bde, 25th Inf Div, HI 309th MI BN, Ft Huachuca, AZ Joint Psychological Operations Support Element, USSOCOM, MacDill AFB Now semi retired rookie blacksmith

Looks ok but all the metal is bent and twisted. J/k good job, keep it up.

Sigh, another addict. There is no known cure. J/k have fun and watch for sore muscles. Beating hot metal into submission hurts almost as having to explain to a wife why you do it. :-)

Ouch, life is full of painful lessons. Thanks for sharing and not taking pictures

Thanks Mark, I was guessing that SISCO was the brand name. The anvil is marked with the weight, “Sweden” and two initials “S” and “I”. Nothing else on it is readable. Dave

Here are mine, a 135 lb Hay Budden with its 55 lb Swedish brother. I do not know the brand name on the Swede it is marked

Frosty has proven to be both a mentor and friend to many of us. We are all pulling for him and wish him a complete recovery and a return to the group.