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.

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.

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 getting delivered this december! 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!'