K. Bryan Morgan

I was looking around on line today, catching up on my local news when I saw an intresting artcle. This, for Central Alaska, is the coldest longest winter in the last 100 years. While I have been able to get out to the shop and get some small work done. My quench tub, 5 gal bucket half full of water, is still frozen solid. There was frost on my anvil. I scrubbed it off with a wire brush. I assembled a band saw and drill press and I've been getting propane, cleaning shop and generally getting ready for my summer smithing season. Those who know me, and any other smiths here in the Great Land, know that Alaska has some unique challenges when it comes to blacksmithing in general. Cold tempratures, lack of equipment, huge expensive shipping charges and long shipping times for anything from the lower 48. The list goes on and on. Thats not to say these obstructions can't be over come. They can and have been many many times. But, at times it can be somewhat discouraging. For the last couple of years I've been trying to get a wood stove in my shed to extend my smithing season. Get my coal forge moved inside the shed so I can work longer into the colder parts of the year. Or at least get the time I am unable to forge in winter to as short a time as possible. There isn't any way I'm going to forge at -40f or below. Sorry I love working at the anvil, but not quite that much. Heck propane won't even go into a gas at -44f. And none of this is in anyway stoping me in the long run. One of the many obstacles for me personally is physical. My locked knee. Which will be all brand new soon. I hope. So, I'm getting things set up. Making things ready and will be smithing with relish soon. Very soon. Sometimes the delay just gets to me and I have to relearn a few things. That does get old. All that said. I'm ready to go.

Your welcome Frosty. I try to be as helpfull as I can. Starting to finally get thawed out here. Its been a long winter this year in the interior and the larger rivers still have 40+ inches of ice on them still. Hopefully we will be thawed out soon. I set up my drill press and band saw. But now I'm thinking the band saw may not be too good for metal work. Which is ok. I can work around it. Its more of a home hobbiest wood tool I think. I am having a difficult time finding a metal cutting blade thats only a 1/4" wide. I know someone who makes band saw blades I'll talk to him and see what he says.

If you go to the IForgeIron button at the top of the page then scroll down through the different catagories you will see " Blacksmith Groups Forum " close to the bottom of the page. Choose the " Alaska Blacksmith Association " and you will see the club postings. I hope this helps.

Nice forge Tristan. Hows it working?

Thanks Tristan and Frosty. I got the drill and saw all set up and just need to get a metal cutting blade for the saw now. I'll be making some stuff in a few. Shop need some work still. But I'm getting there. Do my once a year clean up and then get it all messed up again. B)

Its been a long one for sure. But, we are starting to thaw out. Its been nice weather the rest of the week now. I got a new drill press and band saw. Table top models but nice ones. And I'm getting the shop cleaned up for working. Its been fun so far.

As you always do Darren, you hit it out of the park. I really like the profile and the sheath. Very well done.

I know how she felt. I didn't want to get out of bed either. But I did and had to shovel snow. We had a big slab fall off the roof and it blocked the front porch. So, had to dig us out so we could get to the truck.

I've been using Estwing hammers for 30+ years and I've never had this happen. Was a contractor and rough carpenter, trim work, drywall ect. I used to abuse the heck out of them and never had one bend on me.

We may get 4" of snow today....Winters last hurrah! Come on up Ian. I make a mean pulled pork bbq.

http://netlabs.net/~osan/Mastermyr/ This was a chest that was found in a Swedish farmers field. He had recently drained the field and was plowing it. The chest contained blacksmiths and carpenters tools. Many people have reproduced the chest and its contents as an exercise in blacksmithing and also to just make something really cool. The archaeologists determined that the chest and its contents were about 1000 years old.

Run don't walk and get it today.

Funny you would mention warping, cause he warped a big cleaver he was making for a customer. It was salvagable but it was warped in two planes. He claimed it was because it was from being in heat treat to long, his younger bumbling brother had taken too long to get back with the larger aluminium plates he needed. Seems to me you wouldn't even start heat treating untill you had all your matterials in place. But what do I know? I'm not a pro knife maker on national TV.

I saw that show too. My thought was it saves on mess. How effective however? I don't have enough experience to say.

Good, I was thinking of you Phillip. Glad to hear your well.

What? Sorry, I saw a piece of metal on the side of the road and got distracted.

Lol, rehome, I like that.

Ouch that sounds slightly expensive. We finally are starting to thaw out looks like. the roads are almost all down to dry pavement. Some are still slick as owl snot. I have no idea if owl snot is really slick or not just an old saying. Gonna get out to the shop and put some stuff together and get to forging real soon. Its time.

Well, after 4 days of snow here in the interior we are ready for spring, once again. I am very ready for spring. :)

It would seem to me that a foundry would make the cruicible steel that these swords were made out of. Just a thought.

Nice find Jer. Hope all are well and thawing out. Still sorta cold here in the interior, but getting better.

Alaska blacksmiths hit fire in ice! Great to see this.

Prayers and thoughts are with you Eric and family.

I just had a key made for my 2005 explorer at the dealership. It cost $114.00. And they charge more for everything here.

If you look at this 20 ton A frame press you will see that all the bolts are in sheer alignment. Not being pulled on. That was your problem. Much stronger as a sheer cross section. In other words. Don't pull on them or push on them. Set them cross wise to the forces. They will hold up much better.