July 8, 20178 yr Hello, new member from near Wichita, Ks. I have only been playing with smithing for a few months but find it very rewarding and therapudic. Grandfather was a blacksmith but he passes when I was only 7 so I have always had an interest in the craft but been too busy with life until now. I admit the show forged in fire did respark my interest and bring me to where I am now. I built a modified version of the freon bottle mini forge, purchased a Oregon blade maker 2x72 belt grinder, and made a striking anvil from 2 - 60# blocks of steel. I have made 5 knives learning something with every one. Not looking to start a business just enjoying experimenting and learning something about how my forefathers made their tools.
July 8, 20178 yr Author Not looking to make a business out of this at least not in the near future. I have had several people who have seen what I have made so far express interest in having a custom blade made. I am a bit of an OCD perfectionist so I have politely declined at this time. If I make something to sell I desire for it to be of very high quality so for now I am just stacking up finished items or giving them away while I continue to learn. I am interested in Damascus but after making a dagger from layers I think this will have to wait for a power hammer or press build. Experimenting is great even with failure, so I have limited research to basic techniques, equipment, and safety. Benefit of this being hobby level for me is I have no pressure to be successful in every attempt so I can attempt and pursue off the wall ideas holding to sometime come up with a unique process or idea.
July 8, 20178 yr Author Yes, I have considered classes. Depends where I go with this. For now hobby level experimentation keeps me happy and busy.
July 10, 20178 yr Welcome aboard Loesch, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the Iforge crew is within visiting distance. Just mentioning it a post isn't going to stick in our minds longer than . . . Uh, what was I talking about? I see you've captured the spirit of blacksmithing as fun. Taking the curve one thing at a time speeds the process. Frosty The Lucky.
October 2, 20178 yr Welcome to Glenn's block party (as it has spilled out and off his porch and across the yard into the street...
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