As I mentioned before I had taken some time away from the forge. I told myself when I returned I would do more of what I wanted to and less production work. I have made Horse,Rams and Longhorn steer heads but hadn't tried any dragons yet. This one is from "A Blacksmiths Craft - The Legacy of Francis Whitaker". This is the first try, not great but a start. I'm going to have to make some better slitting chisels. I couldn't get the fangs to cut and the ears are to dull. But as I said it's a start and I enjoying time at the forge again.

I like it. I keep shying away from animal heads - except fish, which are super easy. I'm not sure what's keeping me. Mostly production I guess. Maybe after the first of the year I'll try something like that when the pressure is off. Seriously though, I know a lot of people who would be tickled by something like that. Very good start.

Might try adding some wings. Dragons fly.
Ken

I like dull ears for cubical coathooks, I can spiral the tail to hold cotes on one side but the other side uses the head and so no sharp edges allowed.

Shoot I moved a cubical wall into my office just to show off my forging!

Edited October 30, 200916 yr by ThomasPowers

keep it up nice job francis whitaker did a bunch while working for yellin out of 3" square stock i will dig up the photo for you from a building in newyork.

Dragons fly, but not all have wings

Phil

First of all Thanks for the feed back.
Junksmith, I have a long list of things I want to try and that list gets longer the more I do. Diving in is the best way to for me to learn new things.
Dragons Lair, I read you post yesterday and have looked at wings since. I will give it a go and post when they're done.
Thomas, That's a great idea I really don't know what I will use this for when I'm done I just started out trying to make a dragon head. I will keep the cubicle hook idea in mind in the future.
Francis, I'd like to see those pictures

John

Do you have a carving block? it looks a little twisted. That happens when you try to do the punch work in the vice without a block. They are really easy to make.

I really like it though. Very cool.

I have a carving block and did part of the work on it and part in the vice alone. The jaws are not straight and the step between the snout and the eyes is crooked also. Things I will have to watch on the next one. I tend to rush trying to make good use of a heat and I need to work more on making the best of a heat not the most. Any pointers are appreciated.

Thanks again for the feed back,

John

John, Where is the law written that says a dragon can't occasionally have a bad hair day or two (or is that a bad scales day for dragons?). I like it just the way it is, especially for a first try.

Just keep having fun pal and hope we can play together again some day soon.
BTW: I bet I can find you some 2" 4140 for that chisel you want to make. LOL

Stan