Overwhelmed

[Big Creek]

Greetings to all,
I am new to smithing and extremely interested. Still accumulating tools and information. This site is wonderful for ideas on both. I appreciate all who share their experience with noobs like me. While I am new to smithing I am personally not new (56). Maybe to old I don't know. But I am still going to try. I thank all of you again for your concern and desire to help beginners.

don

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Don, glad to have you.

So how many tools do you need? Do you have an anvil or other heavy steel object? How about a hammer or two and something to build a fire in? That's all a person needs to get to work. Seriously the minimum list is really short, something to cut with is helpful as is something to hold short pieces at heat but neither is actually necessary.

An old axe head will work for a hot cut, vise grips were invented by a blacksmith so he wouldn't have to use tongs or you can simply forge on stock long enough to hold by hand.

The "real" tools and equipment is good, reading is good but actually beating hot steel is the only way to actually learn the craft. I'm not offering any of this as criticism, it's just for the perspective.

If you'll click "User CP" at the top of the page and edit your profile to show your location it can make a big difference. IFI is represented by members from more than 50 countries and a lot of info is location specific. If local folk know you're around they can invite you to gatherings, tip you to tool deals and offer hands on help.

Frosty

[Ted T]

BIG CREEK Welcome to I Forge Iron!
I feel that your age is an asset for you to develop as a blacksmith.

You most likely bring the tool of experience of solving problems with you.
As we get older we soon realize that life is a continuous process of having to solve problems.
I believe the more problems we have had to solve in our lives just adds to our ability to solve problems quicker and most likely with a better outcome!

The process of forging is just that. Solving a problem each time we create a product.

For the most part, fundamental problems associated with forging are solved by the process of obtaining sound basic training as a blacksmith.
First you learn each fundamental basic skill and then how to apply each of them skillfully and safely.
Then you learn in what order to apply the individual skills as you combine them.
This is generally called the

[ThomasPowers]

Well the last time I can recall Emert smithing he was in his 90's and there was a smith in NW AR who was going strong at 86 when I met him---30 years enough for you? Shoot I learned enough to get married in only 28...

[Dragons lair]

Big Creek, you just a youngun. I started at 63. Have met a lot of younger and older starters. it IS WHAT you MAKE OF IT. Hang in and on.Ken

[K. Bryan Morgan]

Hi Don, Welcome to the site. I am in the same boat as you. I'm 51 and just getting started. Been doing the exact same thing reading till my eyes are tired and collecting tools. What Frosty says is so true, there is no substitute for just doing it. And as soon as I get to where I am going thats exactly what I am going to do. Reading and study is good keep it up. But there is quite a bit to be said for getting a fire going, getting the steel hot, and hitting it hard. I am going to be using the ABANA lessons to start off with. Here is their link. The lessons are in pdf format and easy to follow. Good luck and post plenty of pictures of your progress.

[ABANA] Controlled Hand Forging