Forging a Hot Cut Hardy

[brianbrazeal]

Well, we didn't get alot of good pictures when we were in New York of making the hot cut hardy, but Darren O'Loughlin arrived today from Australia to take a two week class, and one of the first things we made was a hot cut hardy. Lyle and I made one first, in four heats, to show the process, and then Lyle took pictures of darren and I forging one. Here are the pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/brianbra...th/HotCutHardy

[brianbrazeal]

What the F..., I posted this gold on this site Friday, and there have been no responses. Are you you guys deaf and dumb, or are you guys just stupid? Am I wasting my time here or what?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robert Suter]

Take it easy Brian, you feeling ok today? It’s true, you’ll get little response from your posts from the many experienced smiths here, they nod silently with their approval. It is strange that most of the members never post on any forum, including this one. You appear not to understand how highly you are thought of as a Blacksmith, and should not feel unhappy about the lack of response, it is not a lack of appreciation, I think it’s more of a lack of knowing what to say.

New members are the life of most forums they bring new ideas and questions and the all important response. New blacksmiths and members are needed and should post, people like Brian are trying to help you but don’t know if they are wasting their time and effort. It may be you have covered the subject so well that all that is left to say is “well done”. Brian, I often feel my comments are unwanted simply by a lack of response, so I understand where you are coming from, however anyone with any interest in hand blacksmithing, and knows who you are is greatly interested in whatever you offer, this includes me. I’d like to steal Lyle though (does he eat much?).

[Larry L]

Yeah I would have to agree with Robert...

I read the post, looked over the photos.. and knew exactly what I needed to do to make a hot cut.... Maybe There where no questions because you did such a good job with the pictures? At any rate you are not wasting your time... Your posts are valued and appricated

[brianbrazeal]

Thanks guys, I was not upset. I was wondering why there was not much interest, but my response was my form of humor, trying to shock a response. I apologize for my offensive behavior, and I hope no one was offended.
Brian

[Robert Suter]

OK, that makes a lot more sense to me. I had a hard time responding to your post as it looked like you were angry and offended. And although I don’t know you I’ve read your posts and thought something was wrong, it did not seem like you. Humor is close to insult and offense at times, and when in print form it’s difficult to know if others understand your intent. I make the same mistake a lot it seems, the use of those emo-thingys helps and I’m guilty of their underuse. If I were you I’d edit in the proper ones in your post so your intent is easier to see. Then whoever reads the post will wonder what my problem is!

[nuge]

lot it seems, the use of those emo-thingys helps and I’m guilty of their underuse. If I were you I’d edit in the proper ones in your post so your intent is easier to see. Then whoever reads the post will wonder what my problem is!

I wish they had one of those smiley guys holding a half empty bottle of pinot noir so folks could see why I sometimes get cyber chatty

[brianbrazeal]

Sorry guys, I don't know about those "emo-thingys". I haven't been really angry since I was about 9 years old when 2 older boys tried to beat me up. I beat them up, and after one of them ran away, I kept beating the other boy to a pulp. Since then I've learned to control my anger. You can hurt someone in anger, and that is not good.

Anyway, what do you think about the taper shanked, curved hardy, and how efficiently it can be made? Do you think it is going to split an anvil? Do you think it is going to slide off the curve?

[Larry L]

I use a hot cut a lot like that that came in a lot of ol blacksmith tools I bought when I first started out. I had several people tell me its "not what I should use" but it seemed to work for me.. Its actually a big larger but almost an identical shape... What I really like is your flatter... beautiful tool..... And yes... thats what strikes me most about your posts and demos... The efficiency of hand forging when done correctly is pretty amazing... its really great to see someone who knows half a dozen blows in advance exactly what is unfolding on the anvil.... My hand skills are improving but I dont know that even with 20 years practice I will be capable of that sort of efficiency... The way I work is one blow at a time... I hit, hit, correct, think about why i needed to correct... hit.... ugg.. back in the fire...

I can tell you though teaching the hands on class a few weekends ago at our conference showed me how far my hand skills have come in the last 5 years... I was surprised that I could walk up to a station and know exactly what the student had done right or wrong by the look of there project...

I can see splitting an anvil if you just wailed and wailed on a true "wedge" in the hardy hole but I just cant see putting enough strain on the tool to really do much of anything if you have a hot slug of metal absorbing the brunt of the blow... even a small anvil

[lordcaradoc]

Brian,

I just saw your post here and over at IForgeIron as well. I wasn't able to spend much time online this weekend and I try not to spend too much time at work.

I love the design, especially as I need to make one for my new traditional anvil. I agree with Larry too about the wedge shape not being much of an issue when it is used for the correct purpose. I liked the pic showing how you angled the top hot cut so the blades wouldn't connect and the cut itself was beautiful.

I just need to get a shop up and fire up a forge soon, or I'm gonna 'splode. Probably solve all my stress issues I've been dealing with too.

Keep up the good work and one day I hope to take one of your classes. If I can get the wife to let me go for that long.

Best regards,
Tim