Patrick1992 Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Hello everyone, Brand new to the forum so I thought I would post a quick introduction. As the lack of creativity within my handle suggests, my name is Patrick and i'm 24! Blacksmithing is something I have been interested in for a long time. I pursued this interest as a career whilst I was still at school, hoping to secure an apprenticeship, but unfortunately apprenticeships were few and far between at the time and the opportunity never arose. I went to university instead and joined the British Army after that. I have had a great career so far, but as you would expect, it comes with a fair amount of time constraints! In my free time, I would love to peruse that boyhood interest and dedicate more time to learning the basics of Blacksmithing, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. As a complete beginner, I appreciate that I have a lot to learn, but that's all part of the fun! After a few years, the aspiration would be to have enough time and money to set up a modest forge on my girlfriend's farm with a few of my close friends in order to further practice and have fun with it. Knife and sword making is of particular interest to me, but getting the basics right is what i'm interested in at the moment. I look forward to talking to you all in the future, as well as replying to any questions or suggestions anyone has going forward! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Good morning from Texas! It is 6 25 am here.Welcome to I Forge Iron! As a new kid on the block myself I can tell you you won't find a better place to help you learn the art of blacksmithing. The folks here want to see you succeed and are very generous with their knowledge and time. My advice is to read and read some some more. The information available is enormous. Enjoy your journey and hope your day is good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick1992 Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 Thanks! That's great, having had a flick through some of the threads already I can see what you mean, incredibly useful resource with a lot of helpful people. I'm actually heading state side myself in the next couple of days (Nashville then New Orleans). I hope you haven't been hit too badly by the bad weather where you are! Unbelievable scenes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 No thank God, we are well north from all the flooding. Help is pouring in from everywhere for those who were affected. I hope they can get back on their feet quickly. Enjoy your trip to the US. I have never been to either of those cities. Would love to go to Nashville especially. Be careful in your travels and happy reading on IFI! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 If you get tired of the swamp---much of New Orleans is actually below sea level---feel free to come visit the "high and dry"; we're close to 3740' above sea level and it just goes up from here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 welcome to IFI, if you go a little way up the A14 to junction 7 you would be within a mile of my shop, feel free to visit sometime, let me know when and I will let you know when we have the forge in use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick1992 Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 Thanks a lot! That's good to know and I will definitely take you up on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 sending you a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Welcome aboard Patrick, glad to have you. Getting yourself hooked up with some shop time with the Dwarf will do more to advance your skills than all the reading in the world. Being self taught is over rated, REALLY over rated, I know. We have a number of members in the regions you're planning visiting maybe there's enough advanced warning to get hooked up here. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Welcome to IFI Patrick, best place you could have landed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaStan Posted September 5, 2017 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Welcome Patrick, all the best getting set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.