digger9523 Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Hi all, just joined your forum. Member of a few others specific to my main hobbies/profession, so the format's familiar to me. I grew up on a fruit farm in the garden of England, went on to join the army for 14 years, liberated Kosovo and got Iraqi sand between my toes. Did a lot of service rifle competition shooting, came over to the states 4 times to shoot AFSAAM in North Little Rock AR. I make a few knives, mostly stock removal, but bought a forge and a tired old anvil this week, so I'm gearing up to start forging a few blades. Ultimate goal is to do some Scandinavian style laminated steel blades, then hopefully progress to pattern welding. I'm now a semi professional deer hunting/staking guide, but i also work for a diamond tool making company. I'm also hoping to earn some extra money doing some blacksmithing work for some boys i know that build and/or renovate old timber framed buildings Gonna get stuck into reading some of the many many educational posts/threads in the forum, hope to be able to contribute now and again as well. Hope the weather is fine where you are, keep your powder dry, All the best, Nick :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Well depends on your definition of "fine". Weeks of clear clouldless skies, low humidities, (hit 3% one time), and temps above 38 C. We did have a thunder storm in town so they are at about 2" (5cm) of precipitation for the year so far. It missed us so we are still around 1" (2.54cm). Massive fires, just one of them has burned 465 sq miles (1204 sq kilometers) We're at 1463 meters elevation, down in the valley! We can see 3048 m from our front door. ---so about normal for New Mexico, USA Got back from Wales in early May; a *big* weather and altitude change for us! Good luck with your forging and may all your neighbors be ecstatically happy that a smith is in their midst! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger9523 Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Mate I'm sorry about Wales. Try England next time! Luckily for the neighbours I'm gifted with friends that have remote workshops that i can stick my gear in! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 That was our joke---it rained every day we were in Wales; but as the train crossed over into England the sun broke through the clouds and was nice for our one day in London prepping to fly back to the states... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 welcome to the forum. If you are ever passing by kent way drop in all the best Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Hi Nick, Welcome to the site, check out the Groups forum Blacksmiths Guild UK and see if we can be of any assistance,There are also shows and other events nerer to your location where ther is a blacksmithing presence.Enjoy your new journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheftjcook Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Welcome Nick, Good luck in your blacksmith endeavour. Look forward to seeing posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger9523 Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 Thanks for the warm welcome folks! Hoping to have some stuff to post for your abuse/appraisal soon. Been hammering out a candle holder for a friend of mines 40th birthday next weekend, hope to get it done this week, but time is my enemy at the moment, same as a lot of folk i suppose! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 hi nick and welcome, another one in england - although i think youll find its raining here today.... :) if your into your stalking and your this end of the country you may know my buddy steve bowers of specialist rifles, everyone linked to that game seems to know him! well i work next to him in glos, although not for long cos im moving somewhere warm and dry!! all the best to you, hope you show us what youve made when you finish it :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger9523 Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 Hi Beth, I've definitely heard of Mr Bowers! You're right, not many folk in my game that haven't! Hoping to get in the forge a couple of times this week to finish the holder. It's naturally going to be a very basic affair, but it will be the first thing I've forged, and the only instruction I've had has been from good old Youtube! How far away from the Dean are you? My mate Sid is a forestry ranger down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 not far really, depends which end of the dean! im cotswolds end of glos, but an hour would see me well into the dean heartlands :) funny i thought you might have heard of steve - the things that come out of my workshop could not be more different than what comes out of his! am in awe of how his brain works. i too am a student of you tube - i personally find it a fine tutor :) the blacksmiths guild that john b mentioned above is really great too - if you want courses, theirs are fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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