This is post #1 of I-don’t-know-how-many-posts-to-come documenting my journey of learning how to blacksmith. The plan is to keep a running record detailing my failures and successes. Learning to Blacksmith is going to be a journal-like account (with all the benefits of photos and video) and will continue indefinitely.
When will I stop? How do I progress beyond beginner? I don’t have answers to either of those questions. What I do know is that blacksmithing is much more difficult than I thought it would be and I can imagine that even the best blacksmith is no doubt always continuing to learn.
Getting Started
It has taken about a year to acquire what I consider the bare minimum of tools required to get started. The idea of setting up a shop and working with metal dates to a much earlier time in my life, but a surprise gift last summer from my better half forced me to get a move on.
After a business trip, I came home to an almost brand new two-burner gas forge, high carbon blade steel, and micarta for handles. I guess after watching every Forged In Fire Episode together since the show originally aired, she finally got the hint. All kidding aside, she found a Facebook ad posted by a young man who decided the art wasn’t for him after all and bought the lot for a song.
About Me
I have always liked working with my hands and working with metal. As a child, I took advantage of every shop class I could get into. In my opinion, they were the best classes in Junior High and High school as they prepared me in tangible ways for my future.
I still have a massive steel grappling hook that I fabricated in 9th grade and I have fond memories of making feeding troughs for the horses out of steel barrels cut in half and welded-rebar to support and hold the hay.
Thinking back on that time I recognize now that I was fearless and confident. Many of the skills came naturally and I wasn’t half bad. Fast-forward to today and I find that I still have a few things in common with my boyhood self.
I started getting my hands dirty this spring and I can already tell that the learning curve (for me) is going to be quite steep. The two major learning challenges I am currently facing are physical and knowledge-based.
Blacksmiths need to be physically strong and have good coordination. I’m not a weakling, but blacksmithing is showing me where I need to get stronger and tougher. Additionally, blacksmiths have an amazing problem-solving capacity. That coupled with their experience allows them to create seemingly impossible items.
The Shop
The Shop isn’t really a shop, it’s one half of a two car garage. All of the equipment is shoved up against one wall when not in use and we can still park the car. When I forge, I walk the anvil out, position the forge by the door and I’m ready to go.
The plan is to build a detached garage and shop in the next year or two. We have both come up with design plans for the building. Mine are always ambitious, going for the biggest building possible. Her’s are on the opposite end of the spectrum. I imagine we’ll meet in the middle and have room to park two large vehicles and a separated 12 x 24-foot area in back for the shop.
Tools and Equipment
While I’ve seen others do more with less, I think I have the bare essentials for blacksmithing.
Current Set-Up
- 2-Burner gas forge (using propane fuel)
- Ridged Peddinhaus Anvil
- 3-lbs Hammer (Amazon)
- 2.2-lbs Hammer (Amazon)
- Butcher Block Brush (Amazon)
- Homemade steel workbench
- 4” Angle grinder
- Pair of old tongs
- 4” vise
I already had basic tools and supplies, but most of the items on the list above I had to acquire in the last year.
Challenges
As mentioned above, my two biggest challenges are physical and knowledge/experience.
I started doing some light forging earlier this spring. I fabricated a bracket and stand for a butterfly house and a few weeks ago I made cool drive hook.
But, as the projects get more complicated I’m starting to notice that my hands are my single point of failure. By all means, I want to get out there every day after work, but my hands wouldn’t like it.
Even now, both of my hands are sore (in a good way) and my hammer hand has some significant hot spots. Each time I forge, I can work a little longer and my coordination gets a little better. Before long though, I need to stop and let my hands recover.
I think it’s better to slowly build up strength and resiliency than to get blisters and have to wait even longer for them to heal before I can start again.
The hot spots are on my thumb, the side of my index finger and the inside knuckle of my middle finger. I think the problem is my hand isn’t strong enough and I have too much play in the hammer. When I pick the hammer up, it slips in my hand.
As for my lack of experience, that will just take time. I can already see a difference each time I swing the hammer. I find it odd how my rhythm is changing and becoming more efficient. I have even caught myself letting the hammer tap-tap-tap on the anvil as I look at the metal and think about what I need to do next.
Watch any blacksmith and you will see them bounce the hammer on the anvil in a balanced rhythm complimented by the striking of the hot metal.
What’s Next
I have purchased a couple of blacksmithing books and I’m going to rely on those to guide my progress.
One thing is for sure, I need better tongs. The old pair of tongs I received as a gift from a friend are difficult to work with. Part of it’s me admittedly, but I want a good pair of bolt tongs. I’m tired of hot metal flying off the anvil.
Here are the two books I bought off Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hopefully, I didn’t lose you and you made it this far. If you’re reading this, I guess you made it. I’ll try and keep the future posts at shorter length.
I’m really looking forward to learning more about blacksmithing and documenting that journey here and on YouTube. Until next time.
