First and foremost, i would like to thank everybody for the vast amount of knowledge that i have already obtained just by reading these forums. I don't know why I was drawn to this craft but it has a very strong grip on me. I am from the Nashville area and have seen a couple other Tennessee folk on here. I have already a few times heated up some metal and started banging away. Didn't make anything, just mesmerized by moving metal and trying out different hammers and techniques to find what works best for me. Don't really have a direction YET as to decorative or blade smith or whatever type of work, but just want to obtain a practical skill of any sort, and why not start with historically (i am a history nerd) the most important skill that helped civilizations evolve.
I started messing about and getting my gear about a year ago. I came across someone getting out of the game and got me a bunch of hammers, tongs, railroad anvil and steel for a very good price. A couple of weeks ago I fortunate enough to come across an anvil. Correct me if i am wrong please, from what I have researched here is that I have me an Arm and Hammer from Ohio, no idea on a date. There is some slight damage on one side of the top but there is still enough room for me to work on the other side. Has decent rebound on the non damaged side. From what i can make out the serial number is 15046.
Thank you again, all of you, for what you have already taught me and for whatever other knowledge that might eventually come my way.
Russell J