njanvilman Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 I recently had the opportunity to bid on and buy this Fisher made swage block. It was the one block I had the pattern for in the Fisher & Norris Factory Museum, but did not have an actual block. As you can see, the pattern matches exactly the finished block. The block is 18" x 18" x 4", and weighs around 200 lbs. The pattern is made from wood, probably clear pine. The black projections are the core ends. You can learn all about the history of Fisher & Norris from my book. Details are in the "About Me" part of my profile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 That's very cool, Josh. Do you also have the patterns for making the cores? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted November 17, 2022 Author Share Posted November 17, 2022 (edited) I have a few core patterns. They are relatively easy to make. Edited November 17, 2022 by Mod30 Remove excessive quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 Ever consider having one cast, Josh? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted November 18, 2022 Author Share Posted November 18, 2022 Possibly. I am exploring several options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 It must be tough having all those forms and not having something cast. Finding a foundry that understood the process that was affordable to cast an anvil would be prohibitive but a swage block is doable. I'd love to be present when it was broke out of the mold. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 Ever thought of doing a collaboration/licensing arrangement with Holland Anvil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Brouwers Posted November 20, 2022 Share Posted November 20, 2022 That would be cool! They make some cool stuff, and the owner is on here as Foundry Guy or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 20, 2022 Share Posted November 20, 2022 It would also plug into an existing sales and distribution network. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share Posted November 20, 2022 I know Greg very well, and perhaps we can make something happen. Right now we are both in a crazy, busy time of the year. Stay tuned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted November 20, 2022 Share Posted November 20, 2022 I most definitely will! That’s the style swage block I’d love to have! Not sure if I could justify the cost though… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 20, 2022 Share Posted November 20, 2022 Time to start saving pennies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundryguy Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 On 11/20/2022 at 4:31 PM, njanvilman said: I know Greg very well, and perhaps we can make something happen. Right now we are both in a crazy, busy time of the year. Stay tuned. Hey Josh, hope you have a fine Thanksgiving. Its time to pay you a visit and hit NYC. Lets make a plan for after New Years. On this block, I would scan the pattern and make iron core boxes, the boxes would be a ton of work. The pattern would stay exactly in its current condition. Too much going on to run air set cores on that one. We need to revisit that other project we have talked about as well. Cheers my friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 24, 2022 Share Posted November 24, 2022 So Fisher may come to life again? Cool the "Fisher Phoenix" line of anvils and swage blocks! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 More like Fisher/Holland line of items. I hope we can make it happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Me too, whatever you call it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundryguy Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 On 11/26/2022 at 7:59 PM, Frosty said: Me too, whatever you call it. Frosty The Lucky. Holland/Fisher.... hahaha, kidding on that!!! Josh and I have been talking for a couple years about getting something going, time to get to NJ. I hope everyone has a fine holiday season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich_c Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 njanvilman, where in NJ are you located? I’m in Bordentown — just south of Trenton, NJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted January 13, 2023 Author Share Posted January 13, 2023 I looked for many years before I found the first block to match this pattern. Alas, three month later, I found another. Not in as good of shape as the first one, but no broken parts. Weighs in at 220 lb. 18" x 18" x 4". Please do not hijack this thread with tales of driving distances. Please start your own thread. This posting concerns this Fisher & Norris swage block, not how far you all drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 I've brought this up before and it is more a general swage block question rather than just a Fisher and Norris issue. Do you have an opinion on how the various shaped holes in the middle of the larger swage blacks were used? I can see them being used for punching large holes and few of them for holding bottom tools or a stake anvil but I have always thought their main purpose was just to lighten the block. Many modern swage blocks have various shaped depressions for forming items rather than holes which leads me to suspect that there may have been a shop use for them that isn't common in most modern blacksmithing. BTW, I don't see any harm in drift in threads. Sometimes there is some pretty good info there that may be very different from the original subject but good none the less. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoGoodWithUsernames Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 George, I was looking at the photo earlier and noticed on the more pristine swage block on the right you can clearly see wear around some of the more commonly used holes. So obviously they were used for something, like you say perhaps holding bottoms tools or the like. But clearly there were are few that were used quite a bit and some that don't look used at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 On 1/13/2023 at 6:47 PM, George N. M. said: BTW, I don't see any harm in drift in threads Watch out George! you’re drifting from the FN topic at hand!!!! Anvil man already “drove” that point home!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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