How Many Smiths Have we got on This site????

[Rev]

While I don't really consider myself a blacksmith, I have pounded some steel into submission on ocassion...
Here are a couple projects to get you started on, pretty much must-haves in most 'skinner camps. First, the basic fire irons set...
This shows the different ways to set this up...



Leather awl...



Squirrel cookers...



Squirrel cooker with third leg & an S-hook...



The squirrel cookers serve as a fork while cooking or the reverse end has a pot hook for removing pots from the fire or lifting lida to check progress. It can also use the third leg as a sausage cooker, skewering the sausage lengthwise...

Blanket pins...



Knife blades...



All these can be made with just an anvil & a vise ( & a set of tongs to hold the hot steel, of course, which you can also make for your self!).

[crazell]

Those are some good looking items Rev Not to mention yas need them.. I'd say you be a blacksmith...

[Thumper]

Nice work Rev!!!

[shootrj2003]

I am a farrier,used to have my own business til my back stopped liking it but I bang on hot metal of any kind now-as the occasion warrants but red steel is my favorite.

[NAULTRICK1]

I have been a welder/metal worker for over 30yrs so forging metal parts for whatever job I was involved with just became a necessity plus when I was a youngster my father was a cowboy/horse breeder/trainer/farrier who taught me many many moons ago how to make and fit shoes. It has become invaluable in the making of all the parts for my guns other than the barrels and some of the locks, which I someday hope to rectify by building a gun/rifle completely from scratch. On all my guns everything is made by hand except the locks and barrels, with the exception of the perc lock on my favorite "Rose" so I wouldn't call myself a blacksmith, but I would call myself a student of the craft.

[Red Badger]

Well I just picked up a 55 gal drum full of coal from the SaltFork blacksmith and am ready to start beating on some metal... the  forge I made has worked so far with a hardwood fire to make tent stakes from 1/2 inch round stock so now i will see what I can do with some coal.

I have downloaded the course the ABANA has in their downloads section and will be playing around.  The gentleman I got the coal from  has offered to show me some techniques when he fires up his forge again, and has hinted that he might be willing to part with an old anvil or blower if I can come up with something to trade.

I did just win a pole vise on Ebay that should be here next week so as soon as I get it set up I will take some photos of my setup for you guys and gals to laugh at!

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

Thats a good score on the coal, That gentelman will be a great soucre of info red badger. Looking forward to the photo's

[Blue Hill]

I've been hammering iron for twenty years or so.  Coal forge in my home shop, plus I have a smaller, traveling setup that I take to heritage fairs and threshing bees to demo with.
Count me in.
Blue

[voyageur1688]

 There are blacksmiths and then there are craftsmen and artisans---otherwise known as accomplished blacksmiths. These people can work miracles with steel. i personally know 2 who I consider accomplished blacksmiths, and their work is second to none. Although pricey to buy from.

[beowulf]

never did any really fancy work , just a few knife blades , and fittings , and the occasional hawk !!