On this page I will be showing what I have made from steel and iron. As well as what I have learned and already know. I am a member of the New England Blacksmiths Association ( http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/ ) who have helped me to expand my knowledge of this fun trade.
Right now I will be telling you about what you will find in a coal forge after using it. The three things you will find in your coal forge after using it are coal, coke, and slag. Coal is pretty self explanatory and is what I use as fuel for my forge. Coke (not the drink) is a product of coal, this is what actually fuels the fire. What happens is the impurities within the coal burn off creating a greenish/yellowish colored smoke. This causes the pieces of coal to mold together into another piece. without these impurities it is now usable fuel. The last thing you will find is what is called clinker or slag, which is made of all the impurities in your steel.
This is a piece I had forged earlier in the year for the Fitchburg Forge In. It placed 5th among 15 other pieces in the Intermediate category.
I hand forged this rose for my sisters birthday using 20 gauge sheet steel for petals and 1/8 round stock for the stem which were all hand textured with my cross peen hammer.
This is a flint striker forged from a piece of an old file. The idea of the striker is quite simple by striking a piece of flint with steel to create sparks. Although the process is more complicated than that as the steel must be hardened and tempered in a special way by only quenching the striking surface of the striker in water which allows for the head of the piece to slowly temper the edge as its being quenched.
basic blacksmithing techniques
one f the most basic techniques is known as drawing out. This is the process of taking a piece of metal (usually steel) and bringing it to a point. The way this is done is by hitting the steel with the face of the hammer half on the steel and half off. You would hit on one side and then turn the piece 90 degrees and hit a few times before turning back to the previous side.
my first commission
During this school year I was hired for my first commission. I was hired to forge 6 J-hooks, not a dificult project but an interesting one none the less. It was the first time I was given the chance to show off my skills to a customer. It was also a good lesson on management of what I needed for materials and how much time I had to put in, this helped me to price my work which I had never done before. Some of the hooks are prettier than others but I think it adds a handmade charm to the pieces that many people value. When I handed the customer my work they were extremely happy with the hooks I had made, and I was given my first paycheck! I plan on framing one dollar from that check so I can remember my first commission and to look back in the future to see just how much I have learned.