EJRailRoadTrack

Very nice! I was very fortunate to be a part of Alec's Scholarship program. Your tongs are just MWAH, Hammer eye punch looks great as well!! I feel like I need to make what I have so far all over again, haha. 

To anyone looking at the class. GET IT! It is SO worth the money.

-EJ

About 24 inches is a great height. it may be a bit difficult and hurt a bit to bend over, but, when upsetting rounding hammers into your cupping tool, you stack the hammer on the cupping tool and flatter in that, so to get a full swing for your striker, you will want it about 24 inches so he can get a full swing.

12 hours ago, tdaleh said:

Knives are like lays potato chips you cant get by with just one. 

Is the bag usually half empty as well?

@Charles R. Stevens Where I live i can make a brake drum forge for about 25 dollars(barrel, tuyer, and bathroom fan) I always forget that in other places all of that stuff is more expensive. I apologize, so fro me, my circumstances, I.E. moneys being the issue, a brake drum forge is batter for ME, I was quick to think that if it's better for that it's better for everyone. I will think next tie I say something that may offend someone.

Some of the folks on IFI would like to argue that brake drum forges are hard to build. I couldn't disagree more, my father and I built one in an hour with saw-zaw, drill and some pliers. They take little effort to make and less to refine. In all the guys in my blacksmith organization we have about 45-50 forges, maybe 5 are not brake drum forges and the guys that a brake drum forge as well as a fabbed fire pot, would usually   they rather the brake drum forges. 

For ME brake drum forges are the best, they're cheap, easy to build, easy to repair/ tweak, and they teach you to use what you have. Yes some forges may burn hotter or maybe cleaner, but for the price I can't beat it.

I ran across a Mousehole the other day, exact same shape. I would say it's a Mousehole Nice find!

You my friend stole that! As Thomas said, those real thin heels come in handy alot. I have a trenton farrier anvil, it has a really thin heel and it really is nice to have in the shop. Good find, enjoy!

Maybe we'll meet up some day! Howdy from West Plains!

1 minute ago, Tyson Simmons said:

No I'm new to black smithing and I wanna know if I got a good deal or not???? 

What Frosty meant to say (maybe) is that anvil, forge, blower, and tool prices differ as to where in the US or the world you live. I can snatch an anvil here for 3-4 dollars a pound at about the max price, In Cal it's more common to see 6-10 dollar a pound, again can be different in Texas or New York. As for the price, I would pay 3-5USD HERE. That price may be different as to where you live.

By the way, Welcome to IFI, If you put your general location in the header you may be surprised how many IFI member live within visiting distance 

I have a 150 pound trenton, loved every hammer blow on it. I would jump on that deal in a heartbeat.  But that's me....

I saw an anvil EXACTLY like that one a few months ago, it turned out to be a cast iron ASO...

If you say :Get me a prettier Rail Road spike!

It is kinda of a trend, I probably wouldn't wear one, I made it for this scholarship, I had to make one, it was fun. Good practice, I think I will find handy to throw into a survival pack, or for a weekend camp trip. To each his own 

Just now, Frosty said:

Keep it always, use it to scale the next one for a better feel. I'm not a bladesmith guy but I make tools, first ones almost always need some tweaking to get right keeping the firsts for comparison really helps.

Frosty The Lucky.

I won't be a blade guy either, I want to make tools. haha, but yes, it will always be mine because it's my first knife.

Just now, Frosty said:

That wasn't a horrible description or explanation. Do it again and be horrible about it! I'll wait. (tap tap tap.)  

Not a bad looking blade. How's it feel in your hand?

Frosty The Lucky.

Feels decent, It's a bit small, it would be a great boys starter knife. On the next one I'm to make the scroll open so your finger can slip in.

Thanks! It was a blast to make. So you then, I can teach you how to make one there if you want!

-EJ

This is my first knife, I learned this style through Alec Steele (I got a scholarship). It is 1095, from a coil spring. I'm horrid at explaining things so here it is. 

-EJ

Nice find! I really need to get to that guy next time I'm in St. Louis! 84 pounds isn't HUGE but will get the job done! Have fun it, treat it well and it will go far.

-EJ

AH! Good to see some one who has put their general location in the header! 

Very nice and clean. I like that style. The ONE THING is beer tends to fly when they are used. If (on the next one) you were to twist just a bit less and bend the head down like this :

It tends to be a bit cleaner. But if that's what you like, then that's what you like.

The only thing I can say for advise is pull up a good chair, pack a lunch and drink and READ IFI cover to cover, start with the subjects you are interested in and go from there. Listen to Steve sells, Frosty, and all the other ones with 'I'm grumpy' on their profile (they're right, trust me).

Have you joined a blacksmithing organization? You will learn so much more at an experienced blacksmith's shop than weeks by yourself. 

The only thing left to say is don't give up and keep practicing

May the anvil ring true and metal move in your favor.

-EJ

Brooks isn't I brand I know, But it looks to be in very good condition. The square hole is called the hardy (or hardie) hole. It is used for tools that help a blacksmith forge iron. The round hole is for punches when punching metal and for putting what are called holdfasts in place that hold steel. 3 dollars a pound would be a good price for the anvil.

-EJ

Could we get pictures? Brand? Year? SOMETHING. As Fatfudd said we have NOTHING to work off here. It's also going to depend where you are. Do people want anvils to use or look at? Are they rare in your area? 

It's like trying to appraise a house while just knowing what color it is.

-EJ

I like "May the anvil ring true and metal move in your favor". 

I would say it's a PW BUT there's no handling holes so I think it's cast and does not have a face plate. Are you SURE there's a face plate

Holy smokes that's amazing looking! I would have to say out of everyone on IFI I look forward to your work the most. Very nice work!

Recipe for tongs: 1 part forging, 10 parts patience, 100 parts refinement.

By then you probably have bad looking tongs... Time to do it all over AGAIN