Faber Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Happy St. Clements day. Anyone here have him as their patron saint? St. Clement ora pro nobis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Just got back from the St Clems day celebration at Finch Foundry, beautiful weather for a change, but a shortage of blacksmiths, at least I got to have a go and made an item, unfortunately didn't get a chance to take many pics, the main event being to make a doorknocker, by the time I got to taking the pics the light was fading hence the poor quality of the pic, and none of the great snail race entries. The winning item chosen was the third one in from the left, made by Tony Hollis Here are some details of my attempts with borrowed tools and some scrap left over bits of metal, 1/2" diameter and 1" x 1/4" all simple basic stuff, anvil, hardie, wire brush, hammer, hot cut chisel, punch and tongs, took about 80 minutes, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironsmith Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 looks great for an "improvised" attempt! on the other picture my favorite is the second from the left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faber Posted November 23, 2013 Author Share Posted November 23, 2013 Wish we could celebrate something here with all the smiths. Maybe someday in the future, just need to find a way to make it worth everyones while. John, how else did you all celebrate over there? Drinks(after forging, of course)?Anvil Firing?Racing? Curious as to how many blacksmithing games we have among us.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Nice Knockers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Wish we could celebrate something here with all the smiths. Maybe someday in the future, just need to find a way to make it worth everyones while. John, how else did you all celebrate over there? Drinks(after forging, of course)?Anvil Firing?Racing? Curious as to how many blacksmithing games we have among us.... Some come to see the working water powered forging machinery in action, others to meet old friends and seek new ones, some are interested in starting 'smithing and want more information as it is a chance to mingle with like minded people. Kingston Maurward College students come down in a mini bus and get a taste of competing in the great snail race, and a taste of the local brew which is on tap in the forgeing area !!!! (not sure about that, but most are kept in check) There are bacon butties and sausage sandwiches. Firing the anvil takes place every couple of hours. In previous years in the evening there was a gathering in the local hostelry with a Gurning competition and improvised music sessions from the 'smiths. Also going on during the day was morris dancing by the ladies 'Wheels and Cogs' group, mulled wine and mince pies available. The knocker that is the second on the left was donated as a retirement present, along with a forged letter opener on a stand to one of the retiring organisers. Altogether an enjoyable day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 OK, so I googled Bacon Butties and got a recipe (for a heart attack), even Gurning had some good images, but great snail race just gets me a "SpongeBob Squarepants" episode. You got some 'splaining to do. And oh yeah, nice knockers! ^_^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 The great snail race, given a piece of material, (3/8" diameter x 6") make something recognisable as a snail. Prize for the quickest, and a prize for the best one, and don't envy the judge for the best/prettiest one. Here's some from a previous year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I like it! Another great idea for a blacksmith gathering competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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