HerrBrun

I found some wedges that were definitely cast (casting lines visible) but with square ends, definately not be much good for splitting wood. I made a deal and said I would buy them as I could forge the ends to a point, or just grind them down to a point. We both agreed it would be a lot of word so we came to a price and I brought them home.

The fellow ask if I was a blacksmith or something and I said yes, I was always looking for solid bar stock, round stock, etc to work with. He mentioned that there was a couple of bent pieces of round bar in the back. Turns out they were 1-1/2 inch thick and definitely BENT. I told him it would take a big fire to get them up to temperature but I could either bend them back to straight or find some use for them. Cash talks and the metal walked straight to the car.

I think I can make use for both the wedges and the round bar. Ahhh the joy of scrounging.

Hi Frosty, very nice forks and an exelant idea! Have you considered finishing with sand paper to highlight the high spts and leaving the valleys dark. I did that to some stainless implements I made over 25 years ago and they still look good today, at least in my veiw.

ya ime not liveing in the nw but i travel and do shows there(oregon state fair, puyallup fair) and am always interested in a place to get coal/coke as i dont like to haul to much of it from home ....and there is defenetly still a nwba theyre 30th anaversary is theyre fall conference in october I plan to be there!

I'm in Canby south of Portland. Is there still a NWBA?

I started my blacksmith career in 1979 while working for Timberline Lodge, a ski area on the south side of Mount Hood in Oregon. There is some incredible iron work at the lodge, that was built by the WPA during the depression.
In 1985 I went full time and I've been at it ever since.

Hi,
I'm new and just want to say hello. I started forging in 1979 and went full time in '85. It's always good to meet other blacksmiths.