Hello everyone, i look forward to meeting and learning from ya'll, my name is Joshua. I'm 32 from Northern Virginia, me and my wife are homesteaders/preppers and blacksmithing/bladesmithing is a craft that has fascinated me from childhood. I've recently dedicated a lot of time to reading, researching, watching videos, etc... in preparation to begin my journey into the world of smitty. I believe I've found a fisher anvil and rivet forge locally that will suit me and hopefully be picking it up very soon if all works out. I've really taking a liking to work done with railroad spikes and most of my creations/projects will involve them using them other than the round stock i'm getting to make my own tongs. Any advice, suggestions, etc....i thank you in advance and if by any chance their is anyone on here from my area that would be a bonus!!

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard Joshua, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance.

Frosty the Lucky.

oh you misguided fool! Just wait " your a blacksmith, right" will become your wifes new maitra! Lol remember the days when your wifes "honey do's" all fit in a fish bowl? Bud now your gonna need a 55 gallon drum to hold all the honey do's now ! 

But you will love every minute of it ;-)

You might look into these groups. They should be within reasonable distance of you.

 

http://www.bgcmonline.org/

http://www.bgop.org/

Ah! You just missed me. I moved out if NOVA a couple months ago. Great area to pick up the hammer. I'd suggest hitting up all the colonial towns and stopping by the blacksmith shops. See if you can tell which ones are actors and which ones have real smiths. You should also be able to find a good amount of tools at flea markets and antique shops because of the numerous colonial towns around the area.

Speaking of living history towns, villages, etc. talk to the lead smith about doing some volunteer work for lessons. They're always looking for volunteers.

Frosty The Lucky.

Had a fellow from Manassas post here recently too.  (I spent 6 years in Mclean VA back in the 60's)

Edited July 31, 201510 yr by ThomasPowers