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Post by paranger on Oct 7, 2022 19:23:53 GMT -7
It's Forging Friday! A tale of two trade blades - one English, one French - quenched and ready to polish and temper.    |
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Post by brokennock on Oct 8, 2022 1:23:07 GMT -7
Oooo, I like where this is heading. 😁
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Post by hawkeyes on Oct 8, 2022 3:27:52 GMT -7
Very nice! Now that your forging its opened up a whole bunch of possibilities. Well done!
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Post by paranger on Oct 8, 2022 5:47:35 GMT -7
Very nice! Now that your forging its opened up a whole bunch of possibilities. Well done! Many thanks. It has indeed opened up a whole new world for me. I'm having a blast! |
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Post by spence on Feb 16, 2023 19:12:55 GMT -7
An old thread is better than none.
paranger, what kind of setup do you have for your forging? Years ago I owned a small farm, and we occasionally had need for some simple forging. I bought a big old anvil and a small portable forge. It was like a barbeque on wheels, but with a hand-cranked blower and tuyere. It worked well for the simple, crude forging we needed, and my son had a lot of fun with it.
You are obviously quite skilled at the work, have you had training or did you just work it out on your own?
Spence
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Post by paranger on Feb 16, 2023 19:35:50 GMT -7
An old thread is better than none. paranger, what kind of setup do you have for your forging? Years ago I owned a small farm, and we occasionally had need for some simple forging. I bought a big old anvil and a small portable forge. It was like a barbeque on wheels, but with a hand-cranked blower and tuyere. It worked well for the simple, crude forging we needed, and my son had a lot of fun with it. You are obviously quite skilled at the work, have you had training or did you just work it out on your own? Spence Spence, you are too kind. I took a workshop at a local forge during which the resident smiths walked me through forging my first blade. From there, it has been just reading, research and experimentation. I have a small, single-burner propane forge made by Atlas. It is designed specifically for knives, and it is quite small, but also well insulated and quite efficient. I can forge 8 or 10 knives on a standard gas grill propane bottle. I bought an 8 inch bench vise and mounted it to a stump at working height. I have an 8 inch section of railroad track for an anvil that I mount in the vise when using it and remove when I need the vise (sort of a "twofer.") Add to that a 2.2 lb Picard French style hammer and a selection of tongs (flat. V-bit, and bar stock), an 18 inch vertical quench tank, and 2 gallons of Parks 50 quench oil. I set up in our original summer kitchen, which already had a brick floor, working hearth, and electricity. That's pretty much it, I guess. Thanks for asking. 🙂 |
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Post by spence on Feb 16, 2023 23:15:34 GMT -7
Thanks for the response. I'd say your "reading, research and experimentation" has payed off in spades.
Our little forge was coal fired, and back then we were able to get bituminous coal locally.
I can see where it would be very easy to get hooked on blacksmithing, it's highly creative.
Spence
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Post by paranger on Feb 17, 2023 4:15:38 GMT -7
I hope to learn to work on a coal forge at some point - both for the historical experience and to expand my capabilities a bit. There is a traveling forge at Fort Loudoun and a "blacksmith-in-residence" that I have gotten to know. I am hoping to work under his tutelage at some point - perhaps on a sword or other large project unsuitable for my little forge.
I do find forging sort of addictive. I try to experiment with a new technique or learn a new skill (or at least improve upon one) on nearly every project and tend to choose my projects accordingly. I have heard others describe it as a "Zen" experience, and I sort of get it now: something about getting lost in the task at hand and the creative process that I find therapeutic.
I never really had time for a hobby or a creative outlet when I was on active duty, so I guess I am playing "catch up" in retirement. 😁
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Post by spence on Feb 18, 2023 14:47:40 GMT -7
paranger said: "I set up in our original summer kitchen, which already had a brick floor, working hearth, and electricity." Keep working at it, and one day you could have a shop like this.   Spence |
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Post by paranger on Feb 18, 2023 17:48:50 GMT -7
paranger said: "I set up in our original summer kitchen, which already had a brick floor, working hearth, and electricity." Keep working at it, and one day you could have a shop like this. Spence I absolutely love it, Spence! 👍😁 |
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Post by spence on Feb 18, 2023 18:00:32 GMT -7
Martin's Station in western Virginia played a big role in the settlement of Kentucky. Boone left from there with his crew of axmen to build the first fort, Boonesboro, after Richard Henderson bought Kentucky from the Cherokee, and Henderson also jumped off there when he followed soon after. There is now a replica fort near the original site, and it's one of the best I've seen. That blacksmith shop photo is from there.
Spence
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Post by spence on Feb 18, 2023 18:05:01 GMT -7
Corner blockhouse at Martin's station.  Spence |
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Post by paranger on Feb 19, 2023 5:30:56 GMT -7
Corner blockhouse at Martin's station. Spence Martin's Station 8s definitely on my list of places to visit! Thanks for sharing the pics. |
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Post by paranger on Feb 19, 2023 5:32:21 GMT -7
Next time I am at Fort Loudoun and their forge is operating, I will get some pictures to post.
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Post by spence on Feb 19, 2023 8:29:50 GMT -7
Jon Townsend has done a series on establishing a colonial frontier homestead, and it includes the building of a clay forge and huge authentic bellows, He occasionally shows the outfit in action, talks you through the making of some items needed in setting the place up. Here's the episode on building the forge. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgVdZ35MqR4Spence |
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