Mark Ling

BIGGUNDOCTOR- I hadnt thought of a Celtic cross, I have only done necklace sized ones, that would maybe be kinda fun. and a knot, is like how it sounds, tieing two pieces of steel together in the middle to form the arms? oh yeah, Im definantly documenting as I go, that is actually one of the requirements as "proof" that we actually did it. I think I am going to go the cross rout, gonna keep it relatively simple. I have some Osage orange rounds, just the cut off with the end grain facing up with the live edge around the edge that I thought about using as a stand, and then having a flower go up from the wood and rap around the crosses arms or something like that. Littleblacksmith

I had thought of a boomarang too. I'm thinking now about doing a Frederic cross, but have it more elaborate, and relate it back to the roman Catholics in Latin america. something somewhat similar to the picture in the sense that it would be free standing. If y'all have any other ideas on what I could do for the cross, or of anything I could add to it to further relate it to Latin America it would be much appreciated. Littleblacksmith

That's a cool picture Marc, though like you said may be a little bigger and time consuming than what I would like. littleblacksmith

It would probably be better if it was maybe more recent time period; last 200 years, though if it was a bigger event or part of the culture from before than that would be fine I think. As long as I can easily relate it to the area. Littleblacksmith

funny thing, I actually thought about forging a kangaroo!! Littleblacksmith

Thanks yall a lot, I cant tell you all how much yall are helping! It isn't so much a display piece for the school, though he said that for the paintings at least that he'll hang em up if we give them to him. I wonder if I could do something related to a cherry tree for china..... I forgot to mention Australia to the list of areas (not country's!). Littleblacksmith

Thank y'all for the quick replys!! Reckon I should stay in world geography haha. You are right, those aren't country's I'm wrong. I did give a time frame, a semester long, till the end of the school year. We are gonna go over the general information of each area, maybe spending a month or less on each. I don't want to bring in a stair railing and I can't bring in any sorta weapon as this is a public school. It doesn't have to be major, about the equivelant to a painting that at most would take 5 hours, that's what most are doing. I am wiling to spend more time but probably not more than a day of work 10 of so hours.it has to be something relatively specific to that country, something that wouldn't be seen an other country's, Or at least has to have originated in that country. Keep it coming y'all! Littleblacksmith

I'm in 9th grade World geography, and we are doing a semester long project. For a country of our choice (well, one we choose from a list) we have to do an art project. I am wanting to forge something, as I am better at that than drawing, and I would enjoy that more. I have to be able to relate it back to that country's culture, etc. It could be in the style of that country, or could be of something related to that country, such as an animal, or something that is a major part of their culture. I'm just wanting to hear some Ideas, I have no ideas for this. Below are the country's I can choose from. I am open to any ideas as elaborate or simple as you can think, I'm desperate haha. Latin America Europe Middle east (North Africa and SW Asia) East and southeast Asia Sub-Saharan Africa. Littleblacksmith

did you grind the pein? just asking casue that's what it looks like, the layers dont angle down as if they were forged, it doesn't follow the profile. Littleblacksmith

claw hammers can be tricky. That one looks good though. Littleblacksmith

what do you make? if you make s hooks and key chains a press or PH will do you no good. I would recommend also learning how to weld before making a PH if you do. If your welds fail, well, that could be really reallly bad....If you have the money buy one, lots better options to buy compared to what you could make. Give us more information so we can give you more informed answers. Should I buy a house or build a house? I have no building experience. That is basically what you just said. Littleblacksmith

wait, you know what the other quarter is? Alligator? I've always thought that if I was an animal I wouldn't mind being a Raccoon... Littleblacksmith

I wondered if I had spelled it wrong....You would know I reckon, your three quarters horse. Littleblacksmith

The 8th annual combo demo is coming up, and awfully quick! If you can make it try to, this will be my 4th year and each year is different and better. I will be demonstrating that day in the morning, sometime around 9:30 along with member "BountyForge" from here, and then I may also be demoing in the evening under the public demo tent, come say hi! If you get the chance, this is an event you wont want to miss! here is the information from the website. There will be more demonstrators than listed, that list isnt the complete uddated list. The 8th Annual Combo-Demo: Blacksmithing Demonstration & Metal Arts Exhibition When: Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 8 AM - 5 PM Where: Steephollow Forgeworks The Event is FREE to all attendees but book your classes before they fill up! The 8th annual Combo-Demo will be February 17, 2018 at Steephollow Forgeworks in Bryan, Texas. This celebration of Blacksmithing…….a combined meeting of all the clubs in Texas and Louisiana, will feature “up and comers” and old reliable smiths. This one-day event free-of-charge will also include an iron smelt, tailgating, vendors, live music, food, art displays, live and silent auctions. Come early or stay late. Artists are welcome to display, sell, or promote their work. The public is invited to come see what Blacksmithing is all about. Blacksmithing is not dead it’s ALIVE at Steephollow Forgeworks February 17, 2018 An iron smelt led by Richard DelaHoussaye from Louisiana will begin on Friday with the construction of the furnace. The smelt will be scheduled to be finished by 4pm Saturday. If you would like to be involved, just let us know. Vendors like James Johnson with Anyang Hammers will have one of his hammers available for a test drive (he is also a Chili Forge dealer) and Richard Epting- knife maker. Eptingknives.com. Also, www.texasfarriersupply.com There will be a large amount of used blacksmithing equipment available by dealers from Austin and Kansas. There will be dozens anvils and vices, hundreds of tongs and hardy tools, and several mechanical hammers. Forges and blowers, swage blocks and hammers. All-Day Demonstrations Kelly Kring and John Haskins, Brookhaven College, Dallas, 18th century meat roaster and bowl ring EvanWilson, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Community First Village, Austin, Bottero style life form figure. Richard DelaHoussaye- Iron Smelt- Louisiana Metalsmiths Asso. Carencro, La. Artist Gallery Metals artists are welcome to participate by bringing their artwork for exhibition! Competition Item: This year’s competition item is a "Champagne Cork ". Champagne corks have a distinctive shape. The cork can be any size. Start now and create your masterpiece! Enter it before noon February 17th at Steephollow Forgeworks. This friendly competition is always incredible for its varied entries. The winner will be crowned “The Best of the Best (for one year)."

I like that whale! and the horses main is cool too. Littleblacksmith

Did you normalize the file? If not I would be a little worried, though you can still normalize it. I have a tool that does the same thing and I love it! Did you just use the file teeth for what textures it? Littleblacksmith

I have never heard of a swage block breaking in two, but have always wondered. I did a quick google search with no results. most swage blocks are of cast iron, and lots of time get heavy sledge work, so why don't we see any broken swage blocks ever? is it just because of the thickness? is that why the smaller ones tend to not have any holes for upsetting? just curios about all this. Littleblacksmith

Forged bottom swage for striking anvil, will mainly be used for forging top fullers and cross pein hammers. Also forged a 3lb hammer, only pictures I have are o it with an unfinished handle.. Also a very small copper snail. Have done alot just don't have pictures of everything. Littleblacksmith

Nice. I have made one claw hammer and found that they can be a little tricky to get everything straigth and in line, or at least that was how it was for the one I made! Littleblacksmith

I think harbor freight has some larger ones, haven't tried them ever. They may have only been 3/8" though I think they were half. Littleblacksmith

Good nelly those are really nice! Very nicely done, wow. Littleblacksmith

They are, and that actually really annoyed me...Its one of those problems that once it happens you cant really fix it. That was the on thing I didn't like about that knife! Littleblacksmith

sure is! I just took it as a compliment but now every time I look at the blade that's what I think of. Thank you! Littleblacksmith

Yes! I like them too. when I see them I pick them up. sometimes at the scrap yard, or you can get a can full of bolts or nails or what ever from a garage sale for under a dollar. I am on the hunt for some more 'cause they are now getting a little crammed. Littleblacksmith

Thanks Chris! I had another friend say the copper looked like maggots crawling through the steel.. littleblacksmith