In a couple of weeks I am doing a demo at 250 year celebration for a town. The thought was to do something for kids to get an idea of blacksmith work during the time. frame. So my thought is to take my anvil and stand and have them work with modeling clay. Not crazy about having a bunch of kids banging away on my anvil but will just have to exert some serious control over them. Does anyone have a particular brand of clay that they prefer?

Thanks

Dick Renker

I understand what you mean. How about having them use a  wooden or plastic mallet? They will know modeling clay isn't HOT steel so it's not much of a leap to understand you don't use steel hammers on it.

You can even explain that hitting the anvil with a steel hammer can damage either or both. Tell them how you use modeling clay to develop different forging techniques before heating "special" more expensive steel for special jobs.

Kids are smart and if you talk to them like people who just don't know a thing they respond well.

Talk down to them and they'll be looking for something to damage. (sometimes)

I loved having youngsters at demos, they ask THE BEST questions. Usually better than their parents who are trying to dumb them down for the kid. I wink at those kids and we're friends and allies immediately.

Frosty The Lucky.

Frosty The Lucky.

The anvil I am taking I have had since 1970, a a Peter Wright, 100 lbs. Thanks for the idea of a wood mallet. This anvil has a nearly flawless face and I would like to keep it that way. Used it for 15 years as a farrier.

we used cheap clay from art store, wooden anvil, wooden mallets,

thank you gentlemen