hi all! i finally had some time to put together a post! i got bit by the iron bug when i was very young. about 5 years ago i made an old cast iron sink into a coal forge with some piping, my wifes old hair dryer, and a big flapper valve from town. it worked pretty good, but the only place i could setup was in our small milkhouse. i had massive ventilation problems! our ferrier came one day and checked it out and gave me his old gas forge to use, and thats what im currently using. i was able to aquire and old 100lb anvil, 2 basic tongs, and a few other assorted shop tools. i run a small auto repair shop, so im set ok in that department. i banged away for about 2 years, using trial and error, (mostly error), and did a ton of reading. 3 years or so ago my wife sent me to a knife making class with ric furrer for my birthday. the class was awesome! i made a large 16" camp knife, and i have carried it into the woods every single time i go out. i have since made 15-20 knives, nothing special, using mostly leaf spring, ferrier rasps, and axles from work. i rarely use the axles because i dont have a power hammer. i gave all of them away as gifts, but its worth it to me because of the learning process. i havent tried damascus or any laminating yet, but thats to come. i cant wait to learn from you all!! any tips or disasters i can avert would be great!!
tom
