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I Forge Iron

Utter beginner at forging, looking for a place to learn


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Hi!

I have literally just started forging using a backyard contraption made of fire-retardant brick and fueled by lump charcoal. I managed to curve a part of a steel rod into a hook with a crude "duck-bill", and I have also managed to lengthen another steel rod. Given that this is all beginner stuff, one would expect that I'm here to learn.

And you'd all be right. While I do have lofty fantasies of what I could create, I came here for the purposes of learning basic techniques and then working my way up to those thoughts (eventually).

WHY I'D LIKE TO BE A BLACKSMITH: I'm interested in weapons, armor, and military equipment in general (both ancient and modern). In addition, I find working metal to be an art form, and it's one I'd personally like to specialize in. In addition, I first got into learning about blacksmithing as a hobby.

THE TYPE OF BLACKSMITH I WOULD BE: I'd either be a bladesmith, gunsmith/gunmaker, and armorer (or all three/some combination of two), largely because of the first of the above reasons and (in the case of gunsmithing/gunmaking) as a (potential) career. 

WHAT I'D LIKE TO LEARN: simply put, anything that has to do with blacksmithing and its sub-occupations. The only restrictions on what I want to learn are when I can learn it and if I have the resources available to learn. For now, I'll just ask about the beginner aspects.

(Yes, I am aware that gunsmiths work with a lot more than just metal. I only mentioned that as a future career.)

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Happy New Year Red,

If you put your location in your Avatar, we might be able to find someone who is close to you.

The dream of making munitions is a common thought. I think you should start by reading some of the articles that are available here. There has been a huge amount of input for someone with your experience. It is way better to find someone close to you and ask to learn. Learning is done with your ears open and your mind open, your mouth should be open enough to breathe and ask some simple questions. The quantity of knowledge that is available here is HUGE. If you ask a polite, slightly educated question (after you have read the information PAGES), you will get a polite knowledgeable answer. Still a better idea, is to find someone close to you!!

Neil

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Happy New Year Red,

At the bottom of the first page are some of the Blacksmith Association in North America. You can also look on ABANA's web-site, they have a list of the Associations that are connected to the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA). I think there are a couple of Associations in Texas, check which are close to you. Attend at least one of their meetings/get-togethers you will be surprised by the camaradery  in this business. Enjoy the Journey, there is no fixed destination. Take little steps, you won't fall!!

Neil

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Welcome aboard Red glad to have you. Most any question you're likely to have has probably been answered here more than once. So pulling up a comfy chair, packing something to drink and lunch for the reading is a good start. No, our babblings aren't going to teach you the craft but it'll give you a handle on it. Once you have a handle on say the . . . jargon you'll know what we're talking about, be able to ask good questions and fave a good chance of understanding the answers.

Probably one of THE most important things to learn is how to ignore all the oh so "helpful" responses from folk who don't really know anything but just have to help anyway. Doesn't make them bad folk, pretty typical actually folk want to help but . . . <sigh>

Same story for Youtube, anyone with a camera and connection can be a Youtube "expert". There's a lot of good stuff there but you have to know enough to filter the . . . stuff.

Frosty The Lucky.

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