DKForge

As a Farrier and Blacksmith I can really appreciate the amount of work and pride of workmanship he put in to that display. That is a far cry from many who just buy a pre-made shoe today, tack it on and then rasp the foot to fit the shoe. Thanks for sharing.

Ah Dick I never thought of that. My initial impression was decoration but it could be either.

A friend has a barn full of items he has acquired at auctions and barn sales over the last couple of decades. He is going through boxes and knows I am a blacksmith. Whenever he finds something blacksmith related he gives me a call. Well he called two nights ago and I was able to get to his barn today. He reached in an old box and pulled this out. The shank is 1 1/4" square. It is 8" tall and weights 5lbs. It is definately hand made with no markings. I have never seen a hardy with decoration around the base like this. Anyone else seen one like this? The pictures don't do it justice it is pretty impressive in person.

Very nice and I am sure you made memories that will last a lifetime.

A couple of weeks ago I started a post about where are the artist blacksmiths who do not use powerhammers. I received a lot of great replies. We all go through ebbs and flows in our journey as blacksmiths and sometimes we just need to talk things out with others who share our passion for this craft. It is why I love this site and the many great members of this community. For those not wanting to read through my previous post, the gist of it was that I was looking for examples of artistic work done without a powerhammer. I was looking for examples beyond the basic items many start out making such as s-hooks, steak flippers, bottle openers etc. Two of the big take aways from the replies, were to create more detail in items made and to scale down projects that orginally may have been made with a powerhammer. I have been working on a lot of sample elements to explore a new direction for my art. In the process this is one item I have made. It is a bowl made from the rusted out bottom of an old propane tank that I had cut out for another project. I used a swage block to sink the bowl, flatten the base and then texture the edges. I then cold pierced it from the back and inserted an organic piece I forged from angle iron. It makes it appear that the "plant / leaves" are breaking through the bottom of the bowl. I appreciate any and all feedback and again thanks to all who posted to my other topic.

Thanks to all who responded I am going to start a new topic with something I made based on all of the great feedback.

First of all, blacksmithing and fabrication has such a wide range of opportunites. Creating railings and gates is very different than free form recycled sculpture for example. You will have to try and find what you enjoy doing then go talk to some smiths that are doing it. Join a local guild and talk with those who are living it or maybe you will find that they have day jobs they put up with in order to support their part-time passion. Having lived in Jacksonville I can tell you there are a lot of opportunites in Fernandina to the north, Ponte Vedra south of you and then San marco in Jax. All three of those areas have architectural and artistic opportunites as well as the important piece of a wealthy populace and or summer home owners. Danger Dillion gave you some great advice that can not be ignored. Basically he is telling you that most small businesses that fail do so becasue you might have the desire and drive to have your own business but without knowing how to market, sell, provide stellar customer service, pay your taxes and manage your books and expenses etc. you will fail. Without knowing how to run a business you can find yourself doing something you love but not having the success needed to live it. Best of luck and let us know what you decide.

Like the ring did you form it hot around your finger? Just kidding couldn't resist. Those are the type of questions I used to get when I would do public demonstrations. "Is that hot?"

That first one looks a lot like my William Fosters. WF's are all dated so look for that. They also have crowns stamped into the side you can look for that. Without either of those it probably is not a WF.

Thanks Glenn for your post. There are a lot of us that appreciate all you have done and continue to do in keeping this site running. As someone who used to run a website with a large number of visitors and page views per month I know what you are up against. It was my full time job and I had a staff of six devoted to running the site. I feel for you.

Thanks for all of the great responses. I think a number of you hit on what has been weighing on me lately and I appreciate each of you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Upon self-reflection from some of your comments I think a challenge I face is finding my niche. I started blacksmithing doing demos at a Civil War fort and at public events demonstrating basic blacksmithing skills. I really enjoyed doing that at the time and think it progressed my skill because of the repetition of making items and explaining the process dozens of times a day. Now I feel like I want to move on to (don't take this the wrong way anyone) more meaningful art. I do see all of the wonderful things being created by artists at SOFA or Madison or posted here and I need to find what my "thing" is. I am a Farrier and Blacksmith. Learned blacksmithing first and went to school and apprenticed to be a Farrier second. My income from blacksmithing has been craft shows but I am looking to grow that side of what I do to other areas. Thanks again for all of the responses.

Let me start off by saying I do not have a problem with the use of powerhammer's or modern technique's for blacksmithing. That is not what this question is about. I do not have a powerhammer. I would if I had the space for it but I do not right now. I have come to a point where I want to take my smithing to the next level beyond steak flippers, hooks, cut crosses, fire place tools, candle holders, bottle openers, horseshoe hearts etc. I have been doing a lot of searching on this site, YouTube, old ABANA mags, and across the web looking at artist blacksmiths and the art they are creating. I have not been able to find examples without a powerhammer involved. My question is who are the artist blacksmiths not using a powerhammer in the creation of their art? I know I have attended Madison and Quad State and even demo's that are described as "how to do x without a powerhammer" the demonstrator will often say during the demo, "now in my shop I would use the power hammer to do this". I realize repousse and chasing are examples but I am looking for other styles of artistic blacksmithing. So who has examples of artists and the art that is being created without the use of a powerhammer. Thanks in advance.

Jerry W. mentioned it but to elaborate a little, "s" hooks are a great item to demo. It shows you using the face and the horn of the anvil. To see a straight piece of stock tapered and then turned into a hook is something fascinating for those who have never seen it before. Then heat it to bright orange and touch it against a piece of wood for flame and smoke and then go for a big quench and after the hiss and steam stop pull it out and show how you can grab it with your hand and it is cool enough for you to hold. Heat it up to black heat and coat with beeswax for a flame and smoke, ask them if they know what you coated it with and then let them smell the beeswax.You can then explain how the other end you can make into a spike for a "j" hook or you can scroll the other end and make it an "s" hook. If there are kids standing around include them. Say ok if this is an "s" hook what would this be and show them a "j" hook. It is fun to see them get it and the parents are proud of their kids for guessing and participating. I also explain the different parts of the anvil, talk a little about the role of an apprentice years ago, hand the kids a piecce of coal (many may never have seen it before.) If you are doing a demonstration to the public I always looked at it as though you are as much being an entertainer as anything else. To demonstrate to other blacksmiths is a very different venue and experience for you and the audience. Remember make it fun and exciting because that young kid who sees you may want to some day become a blacksmith because of seeing your demo. Also the more fun and exciting it is the more likely people will want to talk to you and buy from you.

Thanks for the reply and by the way I really like the G2 Fullering Tool I picked up from you at Quad State. It works great! Thanks again.

Nice pictures well done. Is there something that keeps the thumb latch from being able to be pulled out of the slot in the handle? Sorry if I am just missing that. Thanks

Sounds a bit high but as many have said before an anvil is worth what you are willing to pay. Around here, Pennsylvania, $2 a pound is pretty common and deals can be found for less than that. My most recent two have been a 180# Hay Budden in great condition for $1.50 / pound and a 130# Trenton for $100. I don't know what your supply of anvils is in Alberta but that will also dictate if that is a good deal or not. At the end of the day, if you have the money and you want it buy it. If you want to post a photo we can give you a more educated answer. Just remember, it is your first one and I don't know anyone who just has one. Also many of us have bought dozens of anvils over the years so once you buy the first they have a way of multiplying.

Yep I have seen plenty of broken ones in the past to know it is cast. It will live the rest of its life in my shop more to provide ambiance then assistance in my work.

I'll be there Wed. PM. Lot's of tailgating on Thursday and Friday.

Taking four post vises, eight anvils, bunch of hammers and other assorted steel and items. I hope the springs on the truck hold out. Can't wait.

Suboc the one on the right is clearly marked as an Indian Chief. It has 6" jaws, they are very clean, and they close in perfect alignment. It will be my #2 vise replacing another one I have. The anvil/vise combo will be added to the shop and the others will be going to Quad State this week.

Thanks, the jaws have the original scoring and it has a fine threaded screw. Patent of 1914 clearly on the side.

Or should I say...vises scored today. Two 6", one 5 3/4", one 4 1/2" and the nice Anvil/Vise with original cut off hardy.

Just saw on Facebook Mark was in a motorcycle accident in CO. Lets keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

Some good suggestions so far but here are two more schools to consider. Doug Butler Danny Ward Remember, in Farrier school you learn the basics. Find yourself an experienced professional Farrier and spend time riding with them before you go off to school and then apprentice with them when you come back. Make a point to spend time with different Farriers if you can because you will learn from each of them even if it is HOW NOT to do it, run a business or treat clients and horses. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Hit a yard sale this past weekend. Told a fellow I was a farrier and blacksmith and he said come look at what I have in my garage. 108# Trenton farrier pattern $100 and it was in my truck. Today, fellow has a store in what was an old hardware store many years ago. Wants to get rid of this... 183# Hay Budden s/n 216,389 top half steel bottom half cast. $1.50 / lb and it was in the truck on the way home. Now I need to spend a fortune on magnets and chain to quiet the ring. It's been a good week.