A journey of fire and steel

The local college NAIT had a weekend course on blacksmithing taught by Shaun Cunnigham from Front Step Forge.  It was a great experience that proved I like this.  We made some basic tools that started me on my journey.  Tongs, Punch and Hammer.  Plus, I found out that the course from an approved college was a tax deduction. https://www.nait.ca/coned/blacksmith-courses?gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5ycBhCXARIsAPldzoVLDFUyw9SKaIWyW4x4gbhpxjflhGeeXgM3h9OZyyd0Nyr3TYYpKR8aApgNEALw_wcB

I wanted to gain a good understanding of everything, and the best way I know how is to build it yourself.  I watched a ton of youtube, and settled on a ribbon burner forge and followed this build from Rob Bonifacio https://youtu.be/ZCoMq0VWp6s  Total cost of the build including the blower was around $700.  But gave me a nice efficient large forge that I completely understood.  When the ends are covered, gets to around 2500 C. and will accept stock of 20" long

Once I had the forge and a 100lb anvil I bought from Front Step Forge, I started to make some stuff.  One of the first things I made was a basket twist fire poker for the fire pit.  Other things I made were a bird house and hanger and roses.

I started making roses.  my first rose on mothers day where I tried to make a rose from a single piece of steel and then forge weld some leaves to the rose.  From there I went on to making them with blanks.  They turned out to be very popular and have since taken many orders for roses for presents and special occasions.

I wanted to try my hand at knife making.  A friend gave me a 5' piece of RR track so I took the angle grinder, cut off a chunk and threw it in the fire.  Made the handle a bit too small, but I still use the knife to this day.

I love the look of Damascus. or pattern welded steel.  It took three tries, but I was able to hand hammer 100 layers into a hunting knife.  This was actually my 3rd knife and broke out all the stops.  Tried new techniques all around.  From a hidden tang, brass guard and even tried my hand at stabilizing my own wood.  It was also my first attempt at leather work.

From here I realized I can do this and customers seem to like my work as most tend to order another piece after they get their first one.  I ensure that I involve my customers and I send them pictures of the entire process from raw material to the hand sanding.  Now they get a custom knife along with the history of how its made.

I continue to build, each time challenging myself.  the top left was my first knife, the bottom right my latest knife.  I can only thank my customers for their continued loyalty and understanding.

It is a journey.  I started with the forge I made, the hammer and tongs I made and a 4x30 sander.  Since that time the shop has grown to include a 12T press, 2x72 sander, 3 vices (cant have too many of those), drill press and band saw (for wood).   I have made myself 4 more hammers for different purposes, 3 more sets of tongs, numerous dies for the press, and different tools for the anvil.  (seems every new project requires a different too.  "Need a tool, make a tool").  I am very lucky to have a supportive wife and family and access to my wifes large pottery kiln for heat treating to give customers a very well crafted blade.

I started with nothing more than forge anvil, hammer and tongs, but have continued to slowly add to the shop.  Small Canadian Tire welder, Grinder, 2x72 Sander, small wood bandsaw, drill press, 12T press, Metal cutting bandsaw.  I have made 4 different hammers and another 3 sets of tongs, 2 drifts, 3 punches, and 5 sets of dies for the press.  Slowly but surely, I am outfitting a complete shop. Need a tool, make a tool.  This is the way

It is still a  journey.  This is a retirement hobby for me that consumes a lot my time and doesn' t cost me anything.  EXCEPT FOR THE NEW SHOP hopefully completed by the spring of 2024! I love my customers especially when they say things like this: "I give you full  Creativity whatever cool shit you come up with is fine with me... Let your imagination run wild....lol".  If you have a dream, contact me and I will see we can make it become a reality!'

Its time turn the garage back into something for the vehicles again.  I have broken ground and poured the foundation for the new stop that will be at North Buck Lake, Alberta.  I need to thank my customers that are making this a reality.  Now if the darn contractor wouldn't putz around so much... (I am the contractor)