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Best Site's for Traditional Blacksmithing....
February 11, 2013
12:50 am
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Joseph
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So I have been looking at a bunch of different sites on Traditional Blacksmithing to help me get started, tell me what I need to know and have active people. Though I could just come here to ask questions but I'm nowhere near ready to ask the right questions without wasting your time, so I'm in need of a site to get started. Problem is each site I would come across would either be shutdown or last update was 5yrs ago.

So do you all happen to know of any good sites on Traditional Blacksmithing that's basically still alive? LOL

If there are none still alive then in your opinion what Traditional Blacksmithing site would you consider?

This was the first Traditional Blacksmithing site I came across """"http://artofmanliness.com/2011/07/14/blacksmithing-primer/"""""" which I could not help but to laugh but it also peaked my interest in Blacksmithing lol

February 11, 2013
3:38 am
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Dave
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Welcome Joe: The main blacksmith websites that I watch are this one, IForgeIron, and AnvilFire. Traditional Blacksmithing takes in lots of territory. You get to surf these sites and take away whatever you want from "traditional blacksmithing", or something more modern. There are lots of youtube videos that can lead to other videos that have lots of traditional methods to watch. I like the Mark Aspery and the Brian Brazeal videos, but there are lots, and lots, of others out there. Good luck and have a great journey.

February 11, 2013
12:32 pm
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Joseph
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Dave;17325 wrote: Welcome Joe: The main blacksmith websites that I watch are this one, IForgeIron, and AnvilFire. Traditional Blacksmithing takes in lots of territory. You get to surf these sites and take away whatever you want from "traditional blacksmithing", or something more modern. There are lots of youtube videos that can lead to other videos that have lots of traditional methods to watch. I like the Mark Aspery and the Brian Brazeal videos, but there are lots, and lots, of others out there. Good luck and have a great journey.

I had just looked over IForgeIron to see what I could find about Traditional Blacksmithing and I must say it got me searching quite a few (what looks to me) useful information or books that is.
This Modern Blacksmithing 1904 is what got me looking around for others like it. It was on the right side of the site under "Latest Files". After looking around I found this site with some very old blacksmithing books and they are free to download so I figured I would post the site on here so you all can take a look..........
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/.....thing.html
If you look on the right side of the site under "menu content" you will see all the blacksmith books it has to download, I already got the PDF files of what I wanted, like I said I want to learn the old fashion way of blacksmithing and not let a machine do the work lol.
I'm about to take a look around AnvilFire and see what I can find there on traditional blacksmithing.

PS. Thanks for the info Dave. "Thumps Up"

February 11, 2013
3:00 pm
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Joseph
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After reading through some of the information on http://www.anvilfire.com and Traditional Blacksmithing I feel I must explain myself and what I'm looking for in Traditional Blacksmithing so that no one gets the wrong idea or misunderstands.

Yes, like many...many others I too wish to be able to make my own sword & shield (wall-hangers) and set of armor (and wall-hanger sorta speak) one of these days, but unlike most others I know good and well saying I want to make a sword is easier said then done. I know just going out and hammering on a piece of metal is not going to make me a set of armor anything time soon rather then it would just be a means to an end.

So this is why I came on here asking for help, not asking "how do I make a sword" but more of where do I start in Traditional Blacksmithing; Per say books (what books do you consider) or a website (what websites do you consider)? With the most basic of basics in Traditional Blacksmithing as in not even making a nail but how to make the Forge, what tools are needed & how to use them, and how to control the fire.
I understand that it would be easier if not better if I could go to a mentor, problem is, I looked online where the closest blacksmith is and they are 2 hours from where I live that's why I'm having to rely on the internet/you're all's help and books.

February 11, 2013
3:57 pm
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Steve McGrew
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A very good book for a beginner in blacksmithing is "The Backyard Blacksmith" by Loralei Sims.

Joseph;17331 wrote: After reading through some of the information on http://www.anvilfire.com and Traditional Blacksmithing I feel I must explain myself and what I'm looking for in Traditional Blacksmithing so that no one gets the wrong idea or misunderstands.

Yes, like many...many others I too wish to be able to make my own sword & shield (wall-hangers) and set of armor (and wall-hanger sorta speak) one of these days, but unlike most others I know good and well saying I want to make a sword is easier said then done. I know just going out and hammering on a piece of metal is not going to make me a set of armor anything time soon rather then it would just be a means to an end.

So this is why I came on here asking for help, not asking "how do I make a sword" but more of where do I start in Traditional Blacksmithing; Per say books (what books do you consider) or a website (what websites do you consider)? With the most basic of basics in Traditional Blacksmithing as in not even making a nail but how to make the Forge, what tools are needed & how to use them, and how to control the fire.
I understand that it would be easier if not better if I could go to a mentor, problem is, I looked online where the closest blacksmith is and they are 2 hours from where I live that's why I'm having to rely on the internet/you're all's help and books.

February 11, 2013
3:57 pm
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Rob F
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Did you look for ABANA affiliate group?
http://ky.abana-chapter.com/

February 11, 2013
4:14 pm
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Joseph
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StevePMcGrew;17332 wrote: A very good book for a beginner in blacksmithing is "The Backyard Blacksmith" by Loralei Sims.

I will definitely look for that. Thank you for the information.

February 11, 2013
4:16 pm
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Joseph
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Rob F;17333 wrote: Did you look for ABANA affiliate group?
http://ky.abana-chapter.com/

I have came across that before but didn't look over it thoroughly, I will check it out again thank you.

February 11, 2013
6:39 pm
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Bruce Crittenden
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Hi,just a short comment which may help some new smiths.If you dig in to it ,you can find quite a bit of information on smithing. I have a set of trade manuals which are from the era of "self education"and "learning from doing".Its the Audels set of trade guides.Every body has probably picked one up and thumbed through it,but next time you see one take a minute and read it.As a retired Steamfitter ( dinosaur) I have the full set ( given to me as a gift from my first employer).If you can gain access look into...Audels plumbers and steam fitters guide 4 ....the copy I have is copyright 1926 . Go to chapter151 .You will find a very informative 100 pages on the tools,their use and the trade and practice of smithing. I consider it a must read for new smiths( myself "the dinosaur " hobby smith) included.Many sections of these manuals pertain to metel work. Also look through the sheet metel workers section.While times and methods change ,you still have to put your two hands to doing it.The drawings and instruction in these books is 100years or older but the concept is today and tommorro.The definition of the smith in this first paragraph is,(a blacksmith is a smith who works in or welds wrought iron,as by beating upon an anvil and makes small utensils or parts of machines,shoes horses,etc. one who forges or welds on an anvil,.........we haven't changed much. Read it,or at least look at the pictures. B.C.

February 12, 2013
5:01 am
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Lee Cordochorea
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By "traditional" sword, shield, and armor, I guess you mean "European" and not Zaire or Korea. (Too bad, your'e missing out. Zaire had stuff just as cool as Europe did.)

So, is there a branch of the SCA near you? (SCA = Society for Creative Anachronism.) They're probably your best bet for a fast-track to that kind of thing.

For basic techniques of forging dictated by physics rather than culture, Try reading the books by Jack Andrews or Mark Aspery. Then read Lilco. Yes, Lilco wrote primarily for folk using power hammers - but the basic techniques for isolating stock and forging to shape are the same for 3/4" square stock as they are for 3" square stock.

And some of those 15th century swords and helms were given shape under waterwheel powered helve hammers!

No matter where you go... there you are.

February 13, 2013
2:06 pm
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Joseph
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Bruce Crittenden;17337 wrote: Hi,just a short comment which may help some new smiths.If you dig in to it ,you can find quite a bit of information on smithing. I have a set of trade manuals which are from the era of "self education"and "learning from doing".Its the Audels set of trade guides.Every body has probably picked one up and thumbed through it,but next time you see one take a minute and read it.As a retired Steamfitter ( dinosaur) I have the full set ( given to me as a gift from my first employer).If you can gain access look into...Audels plumbers and steam fitters guide 4 ....the copy I have is copyright 1926 . Go to chapter151 .You will find a very informative 100 pages on the tools,their use and the trade and practice of smithing. I consider it a must read for new smiths( myself "the dinosaur " hobby smith) included.Many sections of these manuals pertain to metel work. Also look through the sheet metel workers section.While times and methods change ,you still have to put your two hands to doing it.The drawings and instruction in these books is 100years or older but the concept is today and tommorro.The definition of the smith in this first paragraph is,(a blacksmith is a smith who works in or welds wrought iron,as by beating upon an anvil and makes small utensils or parts of machines,shoes horses,etc. one who forges or welds on an anvil,.........we haven't changed much. Read it,or at least look at the pictures. B.C.

These trade manuals of "self education and learning from doing" is what I need most because of the situation I'm in. I have searched for this "plumbers and steam fitters guide 4 copyright 1926" though I have not found the copyright of 1926 but I have found reprints. I will see what I can get.

Lee Cordochorea;17346 wrote: By "traditional" sword, shield, and armor, I guess you mean "European" and not Zaire or Korea. (Too bad, your'e missing out. Zaire had stuff just as cool as Europe did.)

So, is there a branch of the SCA near you? (SCA = Society for Creative Anachronism.) They're probably your best bet for a fast-track to that kind of thing.

For basic techniques of forging dictated by physics rather than culture, Try reading the books by Jack Andrews or Mark Aspery. Then read Lilco. Yes, Lilco wrote primarily for folk using power hammers - but the basic techniques for isolating stock and forging to shape are the same for 3/4" square stock as they are for 3" square stock.

And some of those 15th century swords and helms were given shape under waterwheel powered helve hammers!

lol You got me there Lee. Yes, the European style. I'm not much on the tribal or India style BUT I fully agree with you on the Korean but also the Japanese and Chinese style. Yet I will have to admit my heart still goes out to the European style. I have always loved the crusaders armor well mainly the Great Helm. Even still again I'm fully aware that I'm nowhere close to making myself a set of armor and sword to set up in a room and proudly say "I made that". It doesn't bother me one bit to start from bottom and work my way up, in fact that's the way I like doing things.

SCA, I have found the website before in the past, problem is I can't find any round my location. Closes I could see is a group (not one of their actual kingdoms as they say) 2 hours away and that's on the highway. Like I said before I live way back in the hills of Kentucky on the low side of the Appalachian mountains which is far away from hearing anything like a blacksmith or SCA they wont come out this far or anything else by that matter LOL

And no worries I'm not looking for a culture type of blacksmithing just older type I guess is how to say it. First time I heard of a "waterwheel powered helve hammer" I looked it up its actually pretty cool. And yes I will check out books on Jack Andrews, Mark Aspery, and Lilco. The only reason I haven't yet is cuz I'm in college and this is review week before test so.....study study study lol.

February 13, 2013
7:27 pm
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Ries
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I am sure there are tons of blacksmiths not that far from you, and active Abana and SCA groups. Of course, "not far" is a relative thing- I usually have to drive between 2 and 5 hours to make our meetings, and there are people who drive more like ten hours sometimes.
I have flown over 1500 miles sometimes to go to national blacksmith conferences.
Out here in the west, we are used to big distances.

You need to start with basic blacksmithing, but also with basic metalsmithing, (raising sheet metal) and with basic bladesmithing- 3 distinctly different skill sets, each of which can easily take years to get good at. They overlap, and use some of the same tools and techniques, but to get really good at any one of the three, you need to read different books, study different things at different places.

I would recommend you consider the John C Campbell Folk School, which is, relatively speaking, near you.
https://www.folkschool.org/

February 13, 2013
9:29 pm
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Joseph
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Ries;17357 wrote: I am sure there are tons of blacksmiths not that far from you, and active Abana and SCA groups. Of course, "not far" is a relative thing- I usually have to drive between 2 and 5 hours to make our meetings, and there are people who drive more like ten hours sometimes.
I have flown over 1500 miles sometimes to go to national blacksmith conferences.
Out here in the west, we are used to big distances.

You need to start with basic blacksmithing, but also with basic metalsmithing, (raising sheet metal) and with basic bladesmithing- 3 distinctly different skill sets, each of which can easily take years to get good at. They overlap, and use some of the same tools and techniques, but to get really good at any one of the three, you need to read different books, study different things at different places.

I would recommend you consider the John C Campbell Folk School, which is, relatively speaking, near you.
https://www.folkschool.org/

I searched with the Abana and SCA to see if there is anything close but the closes was in Lexington Ky and Louisville Ky which is 2 hours from me on the highway. I wouldn't main going to these meeting and/or groups but my situation right now makes it impossible. I'm a Eastern Kentucky University student taking my class's through the Hazard Campus HCTC while living with my parents in Breathitt and sense the start of college I have been living with my parents borrowing their car without a job until I got my degree's and right now I'm finishing up with my Bachelors degree which is in Criminal Justice. So you can see I'm really only stuck with reading books and what I can find online "for the time being". But like I said before (not sure if I said it on here or the introducing myself) I plan Blacksmithing to be my main hobby cuz my career is going to be in Criminal Justice and I'm going try to get on with the state troopers.
When you say blacksmithing, basic metalsmithing, and basic bladesmithing overlap each other, Then should I be studying/reading on all three together or focus on one at a time?

February 14, 2013
2:46 am
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Lee Cordochorea
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Joseph;17359 wrote: When you say blacksmithing, basic metalsmithing, and basic bladesmithing overlap each other, Then should I be studying/reading on all three together or focus on one at a time?

Drawing a taper is drawing a taper. Making a bend is making a bend. Making a spangenhelm is a lot like making a chalice. Making a leaf is not so different from making a knife.

What you need to learn is how the metal reacts to what you do. That's a truckload more complicated than it sounds. And a boatload more rewarding!

(I used to drive an hour from Camden TN to Murray KY on Friday night just to watch the movies. Gas was less expensive then.)

No matter where you go... there you are.

February 14, 2013
3:24 am
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Neil Gustafson
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Hi Joseph,

I think what people are trying to tell you is to start at step one. Read 'A Blacksmithing Primer' or 'The New Edge of the Anvil' or 'The Backyard Blacksmith'. First you have to understand what is happening with the hot metal and how to manipulate it, get some play-doh, steel/iron works identicle to play-doh except you can hold it in your hand to work it. You need a source of heat, something to hit on, something to hit with, something to hold the hot material, eye protection so you don't go blind, ear protection so you don't go deaf (pardon me?). You are going to make lots of mistakes and lots of scrap metal, welcome to learning!!

Walk before you run. If you run first you will trip and dent your nose.

Neil

As long as we are above our shoes, We know where we are.:happy:

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