Les L

Frosty, that looks like all of you had a fun time, how much did the bloom weigh?

Now you’re making my mouth water!

Talk about a list of people to congratulate on their work! This will not be in any particular order, and I hope I don’t leave anyone’s work out. 1)MJ, congratulations on getting your license and achieving a step towards freedom, always remember that you have the rest of your life to get where you’re going and you’re responsible for everyone in your vehicle and the other people on the road 2) Alexander: I agree with Shaina, those are too nice to put trash in them. 3) Billy, I am always amazed how you look at something you need and create a blacksmith project that takes care of it 4) Goods: I really like that and will try to make one in the future 5) John: the rails are starting to come together and looking good

I did not directly serve, but spent the first 19 years of my life either following my father around the world, or hoping that he would come home from where he was serving protecting our freedom. I was lucky that he came home from the Korean Conflict and 2 tours in Viet Nam, but I witnessed several of my schoolmates removed during class, to never return and several of our neighbors to have an OD vehicle come to their house with two officers go to the door and see the family leave to return to their home town due to the sad news that they received. So yes, this is a very special, and sad day for me when I remember all of the soldiers that served, and didn’t come home, as well as the families for the ones that served waiting for their loved ones to return. I do not have the words to express my total gratitude to all that served and to their families that support them

Templehound, I am not a bladesmith, but do use knives daily and recognize the quality and craftsmanship in your work. It is easy to see that each one is created by someone not trying to produce something to put money in their pocket, but by someone that loves their work and will not be satisfied with “that’s good enough”, but does not complete the project until it is perfect! I look forward to opening each of your new posts as one would look forward to opening a gift for a special occasion but I was slow to see this one for two reasons, one I’ve been busy the last couple weeks and have just scanned the forum during short breaks and secondly I overlooked your latest post in this section by mistake

Templehound, beautiful work as always. I always look forward to seeing you post new work and you never cease to amaze me with the quality of your work

Just a guess, but I think it’s for scale to fall through

Beautiful roses Chad J

I have seen some of those that were cast aluminum, if that is what yours is made from it can be welded which would be my first choice for a repair.

Templehound, Beautiful as always!

Thanks Goods, seeing the work posted on IFI is what has given me inspiration and ideas for projects and I have used them to learn new techniques, including what adjustments I need to improve the project the next time I do it. I’m glad one of my projects inspired someone to try it out.

Great work Billy and Goods I completed an order for two tomahawks this week.

I’ve been on the road the last couple of weeks, but I’ve been looking at all the projects that everyone has been posting and wanted to tell everyone congratulations on the great work. I had a chance to fire up the forge today and started out making a couple of tools from some e clips I was given. First time working with them and found out that it’s some tough material, then made a flower and J hook for my wife.

Nice stands Billy, I enjoy mine like that, plus they made my anvils very quiet.

Yes, it was wet molded. I didn’t cut it oversized, just wet it after sewing it up, shoved the knife in and then used my fingers and a rounded piece of smooth wood to shape it. Left the knife in to dry and after putting it in in and out several times it works easy, but holds the knife very good, also worked some saddle soap into that area to help

Thanks Chimaera, it’s a fun project.

Frazer provided you all the information you need for your anvil, except how to repair it correctly ( Gunther method) if you decide to do that, but that should be your last choice, and only if you have the proper equipment and welding knowledge You have one side with a pretty good edge and the anvil blocks will take care of the rest.

Great looking projects everyone is posting. I’ve been busy the last week getting ready for the Louisiana Metalsmith’s Association conference March 11&12 and managed to get the time at the forge to complete my project to add to our auction.

BayouSlim, I recommend you join Louisiana Metalsmiths Association,LAMA, we’re having a conference in Lafayette March 11&12, all information is on our website. We have monthly meetings, at different members locations with open forges for members to participate and learn the craft. we have several blade smith’s in our group, as well as other groups in our area that come to our meetings or we have joint meetings with

Bubba, Thanks for the compliment,you wouldn't have said that I had a clean floor if I had taken the picture the opposite direction Thanks Das, I saw this one somewhere and tried it out, fun easy project, but as usual I identified a couple of things to improve on the next one.

NoGood, I thought the same thing at first, then saw what he did when i enlarged the picture. Good stand and excellent anvil Jeff

Chimaera, Great job on the knife good clean lines. Is it forged to shape or stock removal?

Take care and get well Frosty, we miss you

Amazing, as always

John, your anomaly might be a stop for a repetitive project