Hello all. Just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I've been lurking around for a few weeks and actually joined about a week ago. I've learned quite a bit just following the threads. I'm a 50 something newbie to blacksmithing, and by newbie, I mean brand new. I've yet to make a single hammer blow on hot steel. I have, however, built a JABOD style forge during the 3-day weekend last week based on a thread I found here on these forums.
I live in the little rural town of Helenwood in Scott County, Tennessee, about an hour north of Knoxville. I've come close to starting into blacksmithing several times over the last 15 years or so, but have never pulled the trigger. Looks like I'm fully committed this time, as all the stuff I'll need to get started should be arriving tomorrow. Anyway, thanks to all you guys that have contributed to these forums and have already taught me several things I needed to know and offered tips to get me started on the right foot.
Dale