Bob Lebo Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Hey everyone! I am probably the most common sight around this section of the forum - a newbie from Ohio. I have yet to build my setup and get started, but plan to do so this Summer for a specific project. Basic info - I'm 36 and a married homeowner with 4 cats and 2 dogs. My 9-5 is mental health and addictions counseling, and I am a licensed independent clinical counselor in the state of Ohio. I have been buying knives and (mostly decoration) swords most of my life, and enjoy both historical and fantasy weapons. I've wanted to try blacksmithing for as long as I can remember, but up until recently I felt it was too cost prohibitive (starting with 0 tools) and I didn't have a good place to work (was a renter until about three years ago). I've come across this forum a few times, then a couple months ago started lurking pretty regularly trying to soak up ideas and knowledge. The gem of this has been seeing the various JABOD designs and improvised anvils. My main goal this summer with taking a go at Blacksmithing is to make a set of forged marshmallow roasting sticks as a wedding present for my brother-in-law this fall. As a project it will help with what appear to be the most suggested skills to start with - tapers, scrolls, and perhaps - a twist. Slightly broader, and longer, reason to start blacksmithing: I have been fascinated with blades and weapons from a young age, and I mostly blame books, tv and movies. While shows like Xena provided fantasy (unrealistic in both design and abilities), Highlander brought historical blades (with still unrealistic abilities). By age 18 I had roughly 7 swords, an small war axe, and maybe 3 dozen various knives (I like unusual stuff - like a giant bowie-style folding knife.) I had saved up to get a computer to take to college (back in 2000) and had some money left over. I commissioned a blacksmith - Rick Schmidt aka Race Morningstar aka Duncan Alexander Malcolm MacDuibh Kilgour of the Oak and Iron Forge. We co-designed a polearm loosely based on elements from the Ashandarei from the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, a glaive, and a naginata. Race was a former Coast Guardsman, an auxiliary member, and a heck of a nice guy. He passed away nearly two years ago, and it rekindled my desire to look into the craft. I had already watched numerous YouTube videos (which I continue to do), and browsed through sites like Anvilfire. But in the past year I started into more practical authors like Lorelei Sims and Alexander Weygers. Being in central Ohio I know I have tons of local resources (metal suppliers, fabrication shops, schools like Columbus Idea Foundry and Southern Ohio School of Blacksmithing, and I'm just a hop-skip-jump from SOFA). I've read, watched, listened and learned, the only thing left is to get off my xxxx and apply it - and then learn some more! TLDR; Another long-winded newbie from Ohio wants to swing a hammer at hot steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Welcome aboard! I'd normally suggest that you READ THIS FIRST, but you seem to be a step ahead of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Boy did you come to the wrong place.... nothing but smithing addicts as far as the eye can see! Then we have the real craizies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Welcome aboard Bob. Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. Dont forget to post some pictures as you progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 I expect to see you at Quad-State this year! I may be hard to recognize; balding, bearded, glasses, stout, wearing lederhosen and an aloha shirt Friday---weather permitting. (Old joke from Glory Road by RAH). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave51B Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 6 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: balding, bearded, glasses, stout, wearing lederhosen and an aloha shirt Friday---weather permitting Thomas...we better get an IFI group photo this year, don't ya think? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Lebo Posted June 6, 2018 Author Share Posted June 6, 2018 10 hours ago, Charles R. Stevens said: Boy did you come to the wrong place.... nothing but smithing addicts as far as the eye can see! Then we have the real craizies! Or the right place if I am accepting new clients! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 I am not crazy; I just have a nonstandard world view! A picture would be good; but Friday is the only day I generally wear the lederhosen; the rest of the time I'll be wearing "blacksmithing Camo" bluejeans, IFI T shirt, disreputable hat.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Oh and I thought you were " original"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Now I feel a Voight-Kampff test coming on! The Voight-Kampff is a polygraph-like machine used by the LAPD's Blade Runners to assist in the testing of an individual to see whether they are a replicant or not. It measures bodily functions such as respiration, heart rate, blushing and eye movement in response to emotionally provocative questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 You're in a desert, walking along in the sand when all of the sudden you come across a tortoise. You reach down you flip him on his back, the tortoise lays in the hot sun beating its legs trying to flip himself over but it can't, not without your help, but your not helping. Why is that Thomas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 I'm hungry and sun cooked tortoise is what's for dinner! It's a trick I learned in the Clone wars...(I listened to Weird Al's "The Saga Begins" last night...) 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.