I have had some time to dwell on my skills, as my forge hood was being replaced and my forge was down for a while. It occurred to me, I have passed a milestone of sorts in my walk to become a reasonably competant smith. In the beginning, I would look at a project, and think," man, I wish I could do that". Then came a period, that I would think " Maybe I can do that". Just recently I have noticed, when thinking of doing a project, my thoughts are more like " I wonder how long that is going to take me" or another path is " I wonder if I have the material to do that". No longer thinking about the ability, just the other mundane aspects. As a part time hobbyist, this has been a long time coming, yet, when I realized what was going on in my head, I somehow gained a true satisfaction. Now instead of worring about it, I can really enjoy the journey, and when I make mistakes, the frustration is lessened, because I now know what needs to be done to correct them. These thoughts come from confidance instilled by many hours of working at the basics. One thing I learned in Mark Aspery's class was no shortcuts. His teaching method was elegant, and yet, like a sledgehammer. If he is willing to go through the same steps, every single time, to obtain a product, why wouldn't I? My thanks to him and all who have taught me, David Robertson, Bill Epps, Steve Mankowski, John Rausch, Dick Rightmeyer, Don Kieffer, Jay Burnham Kidwell and my friend who is ready to attempt any silly new project I come up with, Brian Martens. He has been there roughly at the same skill level with me, and we have become a team of sorts, when the instructor tosses out a project, we tend to lend each other a hand, and it keeps things going. Many others have lent advice and a special thanks to all who put the projects on paper, or the internet, i.e. IFORGE, thanks Glenn, so that we may challenge ourselves. The road ahead is bright!!

Mike, after reading your post, I sat and did some thinking. I find myself in much the same situation, now. I also no longer think "I wish I could do that". But rather, "How did they do that?". Then looking at the material used. Funny, I never thought about that before. I still have a long way to go on my journey to becomming a better smith, and there is always a lot of room for learning new techniques, etc. But it is kinda cool to look back and realize that you've made a lot of progress. Thanks for jogging that thinking loose. :D

lol its funny but not haha funny that you would say something like that, as i looked at what you wrote i reallized that i was thinking in much the same way, trying new things with less "fear" of the outcome nowing that it would come together from skill and technique. i do things now without thinking much about it where as a few years ago i wouldn't have even thought about it. it pleases me to see and notice otheres and myself advancing in skill and truelly appreciate what we have acomplished with the guidance of our teachers , freinds and iforge. congrats on the recognition of your feats and to those that do as well.

guys. This gives me hope! :)

guys. This gives me hope!

Hi Beth, I used to be beyond hope, at a litle place called Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District, you had to pass through Hope (a village in the Hope Valley) to get there, but I'm even further beyond Hope now since I moved to Devon, its just like Derbyshire, but with a sea view.

Divermike, your post gives me hope also. I do look at some things and think " ok, to do that I would have to start with......" One day I hope to be able to just do it, like driving. I think I will keep more tabs on my daughter as she learns.

ihave a few pieces of ironwork i keep just to remind me .... like my first tommahawk .. its a piece of crap ... all burned and still didnt weld except the front edge... had to rivit it together to make it useable. i was so happy with it at first after all i got at least part of it to weld! (i had never seen a forge weld done before ) it was over 25 years ago but i still remember.....

I guess when you start seeing things and thinking 'I can do that' or if someone asks you to make something and you say ok without even a thought.
For myself I am thinking more on the lines of can I make that or repair that as opposed to buying it.

Yall have got me thinking about how far I have came. I was going through my portfolio the other day and seen some of the pictures of my first projects, man they were rough. I believe I have came along ways. Through years I have learned that when things arent going the way you want, just go back to the basics. I have also learned that you don't make mistakes in smithing you just have unexpected desing changes. Now I find myself seeing something someone has made and saying I'm going have to try that. I also believe no matter how long you have been doing something you always have room for inprovement.

I guess another way to track my progress is, I have begun to branch out in my book acquisitions, away from blacksmithing techniques, to a more esoteric metal arts and art design stuff. Golden means and all that rot! The book that started me on this particular journey was, "The Power of Limits". It kind of showed me why so many of my projects were not 'quite right". And the idea of pre planning proportions, was a real eye opener. Obviously any book Donna Melach created is also either on my shelf, or I soon hope it will be. I suppose some books on finishing will soon be coming as well. Someone told me, when I asked about knife making, "get a good skill in blacksmithing built first", and I sure can understand why now. So that is another level I suppose I'm ready to clear. all in all this is a most satisfying thread to ponder.