The Forge of Valhalla

Grettings people!
just started out on the firey road of smithing all advice is most welcome!

Hiya,
Ive just joined the communtity so I throught I just tell you all a little about myself.
My names Moon
Im 20 years old
female
from se London.

I started last year on a access to Farriery course, thinking that I would want to be doing that because of my horsey background, but the decided from a few weeks in that Blacksmithing intrested me alot more, so I stayed and did the access to forgeing course at Brinsbry college (w.sussex)
Im now about to start at warwick to do a btec nationals in blacksmithing and metal work, due to start on the 8th of septemeber..

I was wondering if anybody could give me any advice to completeing my goal in a carrer.
and also asking how you guys got into Blacksmithing..

any replys would be really helpfull.


Moonshine x

I've built a Reil-style propane burner for my first forge.  I haven't purchased a regulator, etc. yet, so it's pretty much just the burner and the propane tank (the type you trade in at the grocery store for your grill).  Does anyone have any experience with this type of project that they could share with me, besides the obvious "Don't blow yerself up"?  Particularly, I'd like to know about how long a tank of propane should last and what kind of high pressure propane regulator is best to use on a budget.  As this is my first project of this type, any information would be helpful.  Thanks!

I have a drawknife that I was cleaning off and foung that it has a hairline crack running dead center of the blade, perpendicular to the cutting edge. the face of the blade is 2 inches wide (its a large drawknife) and the crack runs almost a full inch into it. is there any way to fix it, or should I just hope it doesn't break on me?

Hi,
I just joined..
I was curious, has anyone here tried to forge meteorite iron? Any guesses on which type to pick? Meteorites were used before extracting iron so I am curious to experiment and wonder about meteorite iron's effect on the fey.

Are there any leatherworkers in this group?

I was cleanning a deer hide this afternoon and started wondering, can I use the fats I'm scraping off to condition veg. tanned leathers? You know, conditioning with the same oils that were taken out in production?

Hello,
I am thinking about adding forging to my lifestyle. I am completely new and have never forged anything before. I am at the researching and spending a little money to try it out stage. Any ideas about what to use for an anvil? I have been told 'just buy a piece of an 'I' beam ' But finding someone to sell it to me is proving a little challenging. Will that really work adequately to try it out? I have read several 'build your own forge' websites that seem plausible so I feel comfortable with how to do that.

What basic tools would you suggest for my first attempts at pounding some metal. I have no projects in mind just take a piece of metal and see if I can make a reasonable straight bar with it. I am thinking a hammer (decent 'blacksmith' hammer from Home Depot enough to get me started?), some welders gloves, eye & hearing protection, a set of metal holding tongs for handling the metal when it is straight out of the forge. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Also any book or article references that you would be willing to make would be great!
Thank!

Cheers to my fellow craftsmen!
Does anyone know what is the name/function of the wedge-like forge tool pictured in the far right corner? I have come across it several times, so it is not someone's improvisation, though it sure looks the part.

Well i haven't posted in a while and this is one of the reasons why:
I have been busy making a steel corset for a very dear friend of mine wyte_phantom.
She has been after one of these things for years and we decided to collaborate on this project so she could have it ready for the recent Whitby gothic weekend.

( Details hereCollapse )

New Re-enactment Swords




These battle-ready swords are designed for use in re-enactment.

This replica 10th century Norman long sword, with a steel blade and a leatherette bound hilt, is a creation of John Barnett, a renowned swordsmith of the modern era. His swords are perhaps some of the most authentic replicas available anywhere. 

Approx. 108cm in length, 25cm wide cross-guard.

Price: Only £140.00

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