March 11, 201313 yr Just got rested up after a week with Brian Brazeal down in Mississippi, what a eye opener! Right from the get go a year ago I was shown wrong and have been practicing and working wrong! My first advice is, if your new or even if you think your good go get training ! And not only training but the right training, if they're telling you to take a flat hammer and smack it on a flat anvil its not going to move! It can't! Hence what Brian and others teach half on half off hammer blows off the edge of the anvil. Anyway, first off, thanks to Glen for sending my t shirt down there for I could wear it in some pics! All you guys need to support the site and pick up 1 of these ! And here is a picture of Brian, Ed, and me.. Now for the hammer, these are very easy to make, first thing you do first thing in the morning, they practically make them self! Mine came in at just under 4 pounds.. Here's a picture of everything I made the entire week Overall this is the best thing I've done as a blacksmith, I have grown more than I ever thought possible in a week, Brian, Ed, and Karen are the nicest and most hospitable people you will ever meet, brian is very exact in the way he shows every technique you will need to know, he is 1 of the most intelligent men I have ever met. Ed Knows everything that Brian has taught him, And knows it Well, Also is very good at lightening the mood after a long day! Karen is the best cook! Will get you anything you need, And is great just to talk with. If you were thinking of going, Do it now don't wait, You and your work will never be the same! Here are some more pictures for you to look at, Pictures of different things on different days..
March 11, 201313 yr Author It was! Had no idea how easy and fast working with big iron can be, or how you can make a beautiful elegant ring with a 4 pound hammer, and easier than with a small hammer..
March 11, 201313 yr Greetings Pughman, What a great week you must of had... It's a pleasure to see talanted smiths passing on our trade.. I don't know you fellows personally but you sure look like you had fun... Two bad you only got a half a days work done... ( thats a joke ) Now it's your turn... Hammer hard with your big hammer Jim
March 11, 201313 yr Looks like you had the time of your life! I'm glad you followed up after your visit. All I can say is, is I hope Brian is available come next tax season!
March 12, 201313 yr Awesome report, Pugh, and Great pictures! What a great experience, I'm very tempted, but wonder how fit you have to be to have a successful week?
March 12, 201313 yr Author Lol, look at me! I'm far from fit! It was up to me what we worked, I got up at 6:30 eat breakfast at 7:00 out to the shop at about 7:45 work till noon eat lunch for about an hour, and I stopped at about 6:00 to clean up and eat dinner are 7:00 . Now you can go back out after dinner but I did not. I like to rest up so I'm fresh the next day, so I went to bed at 9:00.. The last day I was griping the striking Sledge to tight and wore my hand out. Fue burns and bruises . But all in all I was fine... Just remember Brian will tailor it to what you want to do..
March 12, 201313 yr Cool looks like you did a good job and had a wonderful time. Makes me look even more forward to going there in May. LOL I may have to get a t-shirt too.
March 12, 201313 yr Cool ... LOL I may have to get a t-shirt too. The t-shirt is not a might, it's a must!
March 13, 201313 yr I was actually there a part of the time Pugh was there - and I can honestly say I have never been around a nicer group of people! I have no real experience blacksmithing, and took a Day long class with Ed - and I learned more in those 8 hours than I have in a month by myself.. Ed has GREAT patience, he took his time with me and explained the basics. I am completly out of shape, and at the end of the day I was running on fumes, my hands hurt, and my muscles were aching from swinging the sledge! I am going to give it a few weeks, practice the things that Ed showed me and try to get another few days of training. Karen, Ed, Brian - they are great people, and I would recomend a few days of classes for ANYONE looking to learn this craft, the amount of experience there is amazing, and they all have a real talent for teaching!
March 13, 201313 yr Glad you had a great time Mr Pugh! I can't believe how much you got done. And a great follow up to boot!
March 13, 201313 yr Great photos, thanks for the post! I am a complete newbie sceduled for a week out there in 3 weeks. In other hobbies I have had a tendency to develope bad habits through self teaching. This time I decided to start off on the right foot with instruction on the front side. Your photos and report got me fired up. Thanks, Kirk
March 13, 201313 yr congratulations on your learning, just remember- you are a student of blacksmithing. being a "blacksmith" takes more than just hitting iron. it takes a great deal of learning, you are on the right track!
March 20, 201313 yr Awesome work! That is a nice set of tools there. Now you have to come show me what you learned! lol
March 21, 201313 yr Haha ya I was only half serious, Im busy too, plus we just signed a contract on a new house in the area. Gonna be moving and building another shop... so late summer/fall might be good
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