Now that is a useful skill.

Ranger,

No doubt about it, blacksmithing will be a needed skill/trade in the future. I really enjoyed the book The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex W. Beale. I also saw that Paladin Press now carries a book Ultimate Blacksmith, but I have not got a copy, yet.

Like many skills, with practice you do a lot. Farrier is a specialty, inside blacksmithing for sure. So, is knifemaking, swordmaking or toolmaking.

I did some primative blacksmithing, using just a hardwood fire, a copper blow-tube and a piece of rail for an anvil. It was a lot of work, but it is possible. If I would have had a heavier hammer it would have been a bit easier.

Cheers,

Mountainman.

The blacksmith south of Calgary in Nanton offers weekend courses. I keep saying I'm going to go but its' a matter of cost and my ability to practice afterwards.

Now that we've moved, maybe I would have the room for a new hobby?

http://www.willowcreekforge.com/

I just googled that; I'm pretty sure that was him.

Dang,

Willow Creek Forge rings a bell. I have seen some of the wares for sale in the shop in Nanton. Seems to know their business of bashing hot metal into useful products.

I have seen some interesting products in the Viking Settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows, NL. They had a portable anvil for the ship's blacksmith. It weighs only 15 or 20 pounds, but was designed to be hammered into a log or stump cut to the correct height for the smith. I hope I have a picture of the anvil before it is mounted on the log. A very creative solution.

As for taking a course....I believe you can learn many of the basics in your backyard with a simple wood forge and a piece of rail for an anvil and a heavy hammer - 2lbs - 4lbs. Then just practice when you have time. When you have the funds for formal education, then take it. This is a trade of practice makes perfect.

Cheers,

Mountainman.

It would appear I did not take a photo of the anvil when it was not mounted on the log. Sorry.

I believe it was in either Lower Fort Gary (north of wpg) or at the Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills that I spoke to one of their resident blacksmiths. They explained that there is a guild and that there are courses and seminars and actually apprenticeships still in practice.

You should check them out on your way back GC, if you have time. Especially Fort Gary where there is a lot to see and learn.

Thanks Dang,

We will try to make Fort Garry.

Mountainman.

The Olds college in Olds AB has a good blacksmithing program.
Not sure if Art ? is still teaching this program but he was a past champion blacksmith.
so the college may be a good check out source for some.

I use to do all of our farrier work, but sadly my back just can't take it any longer. Getting too old and crocked. 🙂

Willow Creek Forge in Nanton? I would bet they are somehow connected to Willow Creek Saddlery. They make excellent tack. It ain't cheap, but it is quality stuff and it will last many years.

Show me running water, and some seasoned lumber and I’ll show you a power hammer and and a powered air forge. I'd still need some banding so bring your anvil, hammers scrap iron.(Or waterfall by a metal scrap yard). I use to study an old Waffenschmied and his smitty in Germany.

http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/culture/scitech/iron_steel.html

A very good artical, and in one past posting I mentioned "blister steel" that is baked in carbon in a sealed clay vessle, and in Persia, they used lambs wool which produce a finer steel. Case Hardening, is also done this way with axes, anvils and great hammers, but not baked as long. :geek:

A great book on blacksmithing is Country Blacksmithing by Charles McRaven. It is good for a beginner or a master with many stories thrown in. A good read, rather than a dry instruction manual.

I thought I would re-post a note on the construction of a forge hood and fire-pot. It might be informative to someone thinking about building a forge.

I wrote it for a discussion on building prepper items out of salvaged items over on the N.S. board - http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=4388

I needed a good forge hood, so after some thinking, came up with an old 80-gallon galvanized water pressure tank. I cut the bottom off, cut about a third of one “side” out, and a 10” hole in the top. I welded a ring to the hole for a smoke pipe connector and lined the back with two levels of firebrick. I then scrounged some 10” stainless flue but there was no base support. I looked around and found an old Chev rally rim. I cut a 10” hole in the center and cut the outside rim off one side. It sits into the ceiling above the forge and the flue sits nicely into it. For a fire-pot, I welded an 8" ring to a 8x4” coupling and the coupling to a 4x3” tee. The ring keeps the pot from sliding through the hole in the iron forge table. I made a hinged cover on the bottom of the tee for an ash dump. I then ran a found piece of 3” aluminum propane venting to run from the tee to the hand-cranking blower and voila, one forge. Not too fancy but it works pretty good, something like myself.

Have you tried posting pictures of the project?
thanks!