Hello from Hawaii

[TannerJ]

Hi Tanner; In 2008 there was a guy named Phil Dwyer at the CBA spring conference in Vista. He was a school teacher in the Honolulu area and in the process of setting up a shop for a blacksmithing class. I don't what he was using for heat or if he is still around but possibly another source of info for you. Good luck. Pete

Thanks man. I just looked him up and I emailed him just now. I'm pretty sure I emailed the right Phil Dywer because he is a school teacher in Honlolulu. I'm just awaiting a reply now. Thanks again!

[Craig Hashimoto]

Aloha Tanner,
Sorry for the delay... just pm'd you back...
I've used kiawe charcoal to forge weld cable... worked out just fine...
I know Phyl has talked about bringing in coal a while back but am not sure if he did or not...
Haven't tried briquettes... there are some local guys who will deliver kiawe wood and charcoal... in larger quantities that are cheaper than store bought... check out the local craigslist... they advertise in there at times...
Let me know if I can help with anything...
Take Care,
Craig

[TannerJ]

Aloha Tanner,
Sorry for the delay... just pm'd you back...
I've used kiawe charcoal to forge weld cable... worked out just fine...
I know Phyl has talked about bringing in coal a while back but am not sure if he did or not...
Haven't tried briquettes... there are some local guys who will deliver kiawe wood and charcoal... in larger quantities that are cheaper than store bought... check out the local craigslist... they advertise in there at times...
Let me know if I can help with anything...
Take Care,
Craig

Thanks, I sent you a pm back.

[Iain Heyworth]

I dont know what kind of space you have to work with, but you could always make your own charcoal from downed trees and construction scrap....It can be made very simply with used 55 gallon drums and generally costs nothing but time and energy to make.

You mention using a rock as an anvil which leads me to think that you're starting out very primitive....Check out this link which shows how to blacksmith starting with almost nothing.
It should give you some good ideas to get started a little easier.
http://www.webpal.org/SAFE/aaarecove...cksmithing.pdf

Hope this helps

[James von Mosch]

Tanner, I spent a tour with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua and the smiths in my area all used pine bark for fuel. It got plenty hot enough for their forging, but I never saw them weld with it...and I never thought to ask. In Mexico I used cactus ribs for fuel, and I have used various hardwoods to forge. I also never tried welding, but I know it gets hot enough because I burnt a few pieces, pulling out bright white sparking stumps. Try any and all til you find something cheap that works. I also make my own charcoal. Not real hard to do, but the process may not be efficient enough to make money from, unless you are not valuing your time. By the way, I visited the smith at Anna Ranch on the Big Island and he may have some tips. Good luck, Jim.

[TannerJ]

I dont know what kind of space you have to work with, but you could always make your own charcoal from downed trees and construction scrap....It can be made very simply with used 55 gallon drums and generally costs nothing but time and energy to make.

You mention using a rock as an anvil which leads me to think that you're starting out very primitive....Check out this link which shows how to blacksmith starting with almost nothing.
It should give you some good ideas to get started a little easier.
http://www.webpal.org/SAFE/aaarecove...cksmithing.pdf

Hope this helps

I've thought of making my own charcoal before but it's not convienent for my area. Also, thank you for the link, I'm sure it will help!

[TannerJ]

Ok, so its been a few months and I have finally made a decent knife. I have a burner, and a "paint can forge" set up. I still have not tried it yet as I am waiting on an adapter for the burner. I have also upgraded to a bench vise as an anvil for now. I met Craig Hashimoto and Phil Dywer who both gave me lots of advice. I was able to forge two knive in Phil's forge and learned alot about making a point, drawing out metal, bending it, and creating a bevel. Craig also said that he would give me an anvil if I made 11 knives so I cant wait for the part to come in. I am in the middle of working on the knive right now. I have them grinded but need to harden and temper them before I can do anymore work. So thanks to all of you for helping me establish contacts here in Hawaii. I dont know if I would be where I am right now with our all of your help (most likely playing video games). Here are some pictures, starting with the arts fair at which I met Phil and forged two knives and then the knives themselves. Thanks everyone!

[sam salvati]

Well done!! 2 top notch guys you met there too.

[TannerJ]

Well done!! 2 top notch guys you met there too.

Yeah, they're pretty awsome. I got a bunch of free stuff form Craig, which really helped get me started. I still have yet to set that sledge hammer head in concrete though... just not enough money right now to buy concrete. Hopefully I will get more than enough money from the two knives to set me off really well. My friend says he knows a guy who will buy one of my knives for 80 dollars, and that is more than enough to get me the bare essentials and get me started right away. Oops, just realized that I need a forge to heat treat my knives before I sell them and to do that I need to buy a propane hose and a big tank of propane. OH WELL, time to stop putting it off and just do it. Stuff keeps getting pushed out of the way by the knives I am working on right now... Thanks for the reply!

Edit: Here is what I got from Craig!:

This is my paint can forge:
Lastly, this is my burner. I got it from Kane & Sons: