jeremy k Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Brian - Thank You. The hammer is a work of art!!! - I had lots of compliments on it from other blacksmiths. - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Thanks for the pics, excellent explanations and the idea Brian. When are you going to write a book? Nice job Jeremy, looks great. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 I don't know, Frosty, maybe when I can get someone to take some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 brian i was going to say the same - you def got a good book in you! JK love your stainless version - theres those cute little stamps again.. Whats the amazing hammer brian referring to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 Beth, here's a picture of that hammer. It's a repouse hammer like Alfred Habermann made. This one is larger than normal, 2 1/2 pounds. It was forged by hand with a striker, my brother Ed. We donated it to I Forge Iron for the fund raiser they had and Jeremy K was the high bidder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 I don't know, Frosty, maybe when I can get someone to take some pictures. I'd think you could talk Karen into it or maybe Ed. I've found that action shots aren't as illustrative as a posed pic or better yet a good sketch. Simply placing the piece on the anvil with the hammer resting on it in position is far easier and more informative than spending a whole afternoon trying to get the moment of contact in an action shot. The photographer doesn't need to be a pro, just in focus and framed. If I lived closer I'd vounteer to take pics in a heartbeat. A collaberation would work too, you are very good at describing what and how you do things and that's pretty of rare. Perhaps not among the regular posters on fora and E-mail lists but you're still near the top of the curve for your descriptive ability even amongst the talkative crowd. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 thanks brian that hammer is beautiful- am always amazed by some of the stuff you lot make! bet JK loves it - it will be put to good use in his hands i would have thought.... Frosty do you think we start a campaign for this book? I agree you have a great clear way with words Brian, its got to be wortha thought. I would be on the waiting list for one. I love the photos that you are putting on with your posts, for me they are just right. I suppose for a book you would want to ask lots of opinions on photo/illustration styles to see what was most clear for most people. I would offer help too but i doubt i would be of much, except being a reader guinea pig??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 Well Beth if Brian doesn't write a book I'll just continue to copy his posts, pics and all just like I am now. A lot of other folk will be missing out though. I've never written a book but know a number of folk who have and it's a major undertaking, just ask Mike Porter some time. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 25, 2009 Author Share Posted July 25, 2009 Yeah, Frosty, I talked to Mark Aspery about what it took to write his books. It took alot of time and effort on his part, but once he was done it was well worth it. This year is the first time I have taken the time to document some of my work. The economy and my location have alot to do with that. I used to be too busy making things for others. Now, nobody is coming by wanting anything. I'm just glad I got hooked up with I Forge Iron. I like going out to the shop and taking pictures of something others may be interested in. Karen and I are getting ready to take off across the country with our old Dodge van and my traveling station. We have to be at Yesteryear School of Blacksmithing in Virginia in November, so we're goining to work our way there. We'll leave in September, head out I-40, stop where someone will have us, work, hold clinics or workshops, do demonstrations, whatever, and document it all the way. Eloy Rodarte, called me a "Gypsie with a hammer". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 "Gypsie With A Hammer" Now THAT is a book title!! Combo of story telling, How to, pics of work and people and places That would be a sure fire book that would reach beyond the blacksmithing community. "Non-fiction best seller, could be. " Especialy since Karen seems to have a talent at communication and interest as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 I agree Charlotte, it'd be a great title. Making it more than just another blacksmithing how to would be a BIG pluss. No matter how good, there are already a lot of how too books so having something fresh and tasty to bring to the party would be excellent. Brian: Something I used to do was tape action with my video camera and do a screen capture for individual pics. I don't know how well it'd work with modern digital cameras but I'm sure it's doable and the quality would have to be better. Doing a cross country journal will have numerous advantages: First is all the different shops you'll be demoing in along with your traveling kit. It's good to see different set ups and how one person adapts as well as how others use them. Next would be the different demo subjects, I imagine different clubs want to see different things in all skill levels. Next is the necessity for explaining things in different ways to different people. If you document the dialogue at each demo you'll be able cherry pick the best for the book. Part of the dialogue are the questions, cherry picking for the best is called for too. Heck, you and Karen discussing the last demo or the next one while you're on the road could be very informative. Then of course there's the scenery, good scenery is always. . . Good. The more I think about it the more it sounds like it could be how to for demonstrators as well as people looking for info, inspiration and ideas. Heck, a section on how to get the most from someone else's demo would be extremely handy for the student. An alternate title I've always liked were I to write a smithing book is, "Have Hammer (or Forge) Will Travel." Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlpierson Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 "Gypsy With a Hammer" sounds like a great idea! From Frosty's thoughts, a combined book and DVD might be even better if you're up for it. Some of the interactions at different shops might be best captured with video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rokshasa Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 that would be a great idea, it sure would be on my x-mas list. i just want to add something on a personal note if i may. I'm a pretty heart felt guy and when i see things of beauty it being art or even well placed words of truth i cant help but get a little teary eyed (truth have it i do when i hear you and karen talk about what you do) , i know you don't know me and my words may be of little consequence but you Brian and the things you have done have made me want to strive to be better at what i do and to try and get to where i want to be. it may be a long road we tread ,we that have no guidance but you make the destination a little clearer along with all the others that add what they know here. anyway i ramble. i really just want to say thx and i hope we all get where we are going p.s. good luck on the road!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Stegmeier Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 If you swing through Indiana I am sure we could find a place or two for you to demo, feed yah and provide crash space. We really enjoyed the demos you did with Tom Clark at the IBA conferences you hit several years ago. Just try to time things so you can hit SOFA and the forging contest, (Which I will sadly miss again this year :-( Building the new house and shop and getting all the animals settled takes priority, I'm not sure why, couldn't we just throw up a garage kit to live in, and then build a big shop with my overhead crane rails and a couple good sized hammers??? I know where there is going to be a steam hammer go for probably next to nothin next weekend... ??? ;-) Sad but true:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Jones Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 The pictures were . . priceless! ~~ good teaching here, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Thanks everyone for the suggestions and encouragement! Karen and I have been mapping out our path and E-mailing our contacts that we know along the way, and depending on the responses we get, our route may change. We will try and document our travels as best we can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drako11 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Ahhh man those are awesome!!! I wish I lived near you and could come watch you make them! I'm not good enough to make anything like that yet though. XD I tend to stick to bigger stuff right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olcarguy Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Awsome work...How are they finished so they don't rust on a finger in daily use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 27, 2009 Author Share Posted July 27, 2009 Ahhh man those are awesome!!! I wish I lived near you and could come watch you make them! I'm not good enough to make anything like that yet though. XD I tend to stick to bigger stuff right now. I don't make too many rings usually. I made 10 out of pure silver before Valentines Day last year and 12 out of steal this month. That is all I've ever made. I usually make bigger stuff, also. The technique can be used for many different things though; I use it alot when I'm doing cabnet and drawer pulls, for example. The 2-sided taper on the near and far side is one of the most useful techniques we have availiable to us. Try it; practice it; use it. Olcarguy, I don't worry too much about the finish with steel rings. They will rust when they get wet. I usually make jewelry out of pure silver. I usually don't make jewelry unless someone asks me to, and then I will explain to them how the environment reacts with the different metals. You just gave me an idea; I'm going to make some out of titanium today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Here's a titanium ring. Titanium moves nicely but not for long. It reminds me of stainless because of the narrow range you have to forge, too many heats. I think that will be my last titanium ring. It doesn't photogragh as well as other metals; it's dull and has that yellow powdery oxide. I didn't get it to roll up a scroll when I twisted it off, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drako11 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I really like that pattern, it reminds me of Lord of the Rings. I think I might try it this weekend if you don't mind that is. : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Go for it, man! Did you see the ring Jeremy K made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drako11 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Nope sure didn't was it back in the beginning of this thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 3rd page, #25. Jeremy K also posted it in the Gallery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drako11 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Ahhh I see it now! Wonderful design Jeremy I love it as well! I don't think I have the proper tools to make that designs though hmmmm.....better go raid Grandpa's tools.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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