Ive been reading the forum and gathering info for a few months so its time I introduce myself. Im Rob from Peters Creek Alaska. I work in the aviation field and have been fabricating things since I was a teenager. My first experience forging was in school in England (Father was in the Air Force) in the late 70s. We made center punches and chisles in class using coal forge, hammer, anvil. I still remember the experience after 30+ years so it must of been fun.

Over the winter I have made a gas forge, aquired other tools and have started making a few things. I will try and get some pictures posted. Im very critical of my work when I first finish it as all I can see are the mistakes. After a little time It grows on me and i can appreciate the character of the piece.

The skill and the artistry of the craftsman on this forum is great, from the purely functional pieces to the artistic pieces. Excellent work all and I look foward to learning and hopefully I can have some useful input as well.

Hi Rob. Welcome to IFI. We have a few other members from way up north on here, too. Frosty and K. Bryan Morgan and Jake are all up your way. You'll have to do a search of members to locate them and find the specific locations of each. You will enjoy this site. It has an amazing wealth of info for all the way from beginner to tips for the more experienced smiths. I look forward to seeing your posts. Don't forget pics. We like pics. :)

Hey Rob, good to see another Alaskan on here. I am in Anchorage, drop me a PM and we can have a coffee sometime.
We have a small group that meets quarterly, usually out in the valley where most the guys live.

Hey Rob,
I'm in NC now but lived in Kodiak for 3 years. Wish I was still there. Glad to have you onboard.

Mark <><

Its great to see another smith in Alaska. It was great talking to you in chat the other day. I hope your doing well.

Nice to meet everyone. I spent most of the last winter reasearching, and have made my own venturi burners, a forge from a propane tank and my anvil stand. Aside from a few simple tools the rest of the things Ive made i have given to friends. The only thing Ive kept is a long handled shoe horn! I will try and get some pics posted soon.

Welcome aboard Rob, glad to have you!

I'm just barely the other side of Wasilla, literally across the road. We haven't quite settled on the date for the next meeting of the Association of Alaskan Blacksmiths but we'd sure like to have you at the next meeting. Shoot me a PM, E-mail or such and I'll send you an invite to join the club's Yahoo group. You don't have to join the club to come to meetings, just do club business. Truth is we're a pretty likeable bunch of guys who like to play with fire and hit things.

Frosty The Lucky.