5th Generation to forge on this anvil

[sanddraggin]

Two of my Daughters asked if I would let them do some Blacksmithing. Exuberantly said YES! We went over the safety rules once again even though they know them I wanted to reinforce them and add now that they will no longer be simply observing that the steel is HOT, even if it doesn't look like it. Alas some lesson you have to learn for yourself. My twelve year old touched her piece of black iron while describing what she wanted to do with it. Instantly she knew her mistake and put cool water on her fingers. Not too bad a burn. You can hardly see it, but she did learn which is a blessing. She continued to forge after that. My eight year old avoided burns altogether. She didn't move much metal but learned how to swing a hammer. Hopefully they will both continue. while I started to write this post I realized that they are the 5th generation in my family to use this anvil. I think all the Grand-dads would be proud.

[Glenn]

Please tell the older one to use the BACK of her hand to do the brushing. If a piece of metal sticks in the back of your hand you can still hold a hammer. IF it sticks into the front / fingers or palm, your forging may be over till the sliver of metal is removed and the hand has a day or so to heal.

Better yet, use the hammer or have a dedicated brush near the anvil.

Great idea to allow them to learn about the craft. They will remember it the rest of their lives.

[Larry H]

surely you must be proud, kudos to you and your daughters, especially the one with the burned finger.....she kept working instead of running inside.

[Maillemaker]

Good girls. Good Dad. I foresee many cherished memories and ironwork.

[seldom (dick renker)]

awesome

[Frosty]

That's enough to choke me up with memories of Dad and I. We need more lady blacksmiths in the world, keep it up.

Thanks for the video and addicting a couple new smiths.

Frosty The Lucky.

[GregDP]

That's really cool SandDragon.. My whole pirate shtick started for a number of reasons. One of them was thanks to my wife she's dressed as Disney princesses for birthdays.. I'd eventually like to do parties as a Pirate making trinkets kinda like a clown doing balloon animals.. I think they might get a kick out of it.. I dunno.. it's neat to see this sort of thing. :) Makes me really want to reach a level where I can pass on the craft a bit more.

[Thomas Dean]

Without a doubt THE BEST video I have seen in a while. 2 kids and their Dad working on something together and using the same tools that their forefathers used is simply fantastic! Me hat's off to ye.

[sanddraggin]

Thanks for all the encouragement and kind words. I got my 10 year old out there today and she got to beat on some hot metal. She made a hook to hang on her desk at school and my youngest made a plant hanger for her teacher. Now I've had all three of them out there working and they all enjoyed it.

[batesblacksmithshop]

if we dont pass it on ,it will be gone.

[Mark Emig]

Funny coincidence-I was just getting ready to take my daughter Katerina for her first time at the forge this A.M. and saw this
5th generation-way too cool. Just a suggestion-show them some stuff done by women-Corrina Mennschoft (sp?), Meagan Crowley, Cathi Borthwick etc for inspiration.

[Ken Lutes]

Fantastic you must be really swelling with pride!

[Steve Sells]

Fantastic, tho I do suggest stopping the habbit they started of hand to brush the scale away. That stuff gets into hands and wont come out, use a brush, or the hammer head. not your fingers/hands.

[Anvilfolk]

Wonderful video. My wife and I just "awwww"'ed our way through it! Lovely :)

I either blow on the anvil or use my hand, after tending to the fire. Never gotten burned, but it doesn't mean it can't happen!

[sanddraggin]

Thanks for the Encouragement. I bought a hand brush and tied it to the Anvil stand so we all use it now.

[glen56]

good to see mate,new this old italian bloke ,he was sixth gen blacksmith ,born in a shop in his fathers town ,tear welled in his eyes when he related not one of his many grandchildren wanted to know about the art,since died and gear sold,your lucky mate,glen