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Hello, I'm 23 and signed up maybe 3 min ago. I have 0 "experience" in blacksmithing but I've previously been a welder and metal worker. I grew up on a farm by round hill Alberta for 3/4 of my life and recently dug out an old fire pot forge table from the Bush. Ive simply restored it and have the basics of what I need to start; hammers/ cross and ball peen, 2 sets of tongs, an anvil and coal. I have a general idea of what to do but am lost as to where to start, I've watched alot of videos but they quickly transitioned from basic education to watching masters work with no direction and just fantasy. Once I start looking at the more technical side I realise making as sword is more dangerous then anticipated, I can beat out a rough shape and am skilled with a grinder but as for the heat cycles, the temps, the stresses and everything else you can't see its beyond me. I'm looking for direction and a mentor in a sense, someone to task me and give me a direction and to report back to almost. I was a cadet for 7 years and have heavily wanted to pursue a military of police career, i take order and direction like gospel. I also read alot of forms and this seems to be the "realest" place. No joking or belittling, to the point, informative and kind, I'm very excited to get involved and grow with this community and hobby with hopes to guide and teach newbies of my own. Thanks for reading I'm eager and waiting for your response lol.

I'm 18 and in the past weeks I've found myself reading up, watching videos, and in general thinking about blacksmithing. The idea of creating a tool, or a piece of art from a piece of metal either big or small excites me to no end. That being said, I've spent the past week trying to figure out where to begin, and it's very overwhelming because A.) I don't have a job, I lost it 6 months ago when the company closed that branch and B.) It's very hard to find scrap and such around me. I live around Cincinnati, OH and as I look around trying to find a way to build a forge (55 or just a small brake drum) it all involves money that I don't have, and my family isn't in the best of situations. So I set that aside, and now something to use for an anvil is another problem for me. I keep seeing a rail track or I-Beam being suggested as an anvil alternative, but I'm not sure how to go about procuring either of these. So my question is if anyone can give me some specific advice on how to go low cost or scrounge up something in my area. If anyone in/around Cincinnati could point me in the right direction, that'd be great. I find myself thinking about what I want to do constantly it seems like, and it's really getting to me that I can't start quite yet. Thanks for reading and any help you can give, Daryn