who are you?

[billyO]

1 hour ago, Ted Stocksdale said:

born just outside of Chicago in Hinsdale

Wow, I was born @ the Hinsdale Sanatarium, and went to Hinsdale Central HS in the 80s...(lived in Clarendon Hills, though)

Edited March 15, 2021 by billyO

[Ted Stocksdale]

Yep, same facility!  My family only stayed in the area for three years, though - Dad got a job at Johnson Wax in Racine so we moved - that's a bit long of a commute. 

[MLeonard]

9 minutes ago, Ted Stocksdale said:

Yep, same facility!  My family only stayed in the area for three years, though - Dad got a job at Johnson Wax in Racine so we moved - that's a bit long of a commute. 

I was born in Racine and my folks farmed in Franksville.  Moved up north in 73 when the ole man bought a farm in Thorp.

[Welsh joel]

I'm joel.

48yrs old

 

Formerly-

SGT Joel Welsh 88M20

USARMY

Combat vet. One tour in bosnia, two tours iraq.

 

I've been playing around making knives for about a decade now, but only this last year- built a forge and start beating them out. Recently completed my first pattern welded blade by hand.

 

I've a background in alot of things... welding, fabrication, automotive mechanic, worked in paintbooths, woodworking, vinyl and graphic work... etc.

 

Born in Michigan, living in northwest ohio... but have been alot of places in this world.

 

Glad to meet yall.

Edited March 16, 2021 by Welsh joel

[billyO]

2 hours ago, Welsh joel said:

I'm joel.

Welcome, Joel.  

[Andrew Gillespie]

I live in South Africa and I manage safety, health and environment for a company that makes die-forged aluminium parts for motor vehicles. Our forge is 2 stories tall and pumps out one part every 3 seconds!

 

I have loved knives and all kinds of weaponry since I was a kid and always wanted to try knife making. I finally got around to it 2 or 3 years ago. I still have a lot to learn, but for now, I don't plan to try forging. I am mostly interested in making fixed blade knives and machetes.

[Derrick S]

Hey yall. Just joined, figured I'd take the time to introduce myself. I'm new to bladesmithing, but its something that I've always felt has been coming for me. My day job is as a tanker driver in the oilfields of Oklahoma. I'm former USMC, and also an avid outdoorsman, archer, bow maker, hunter, and fisherman. 

[Welsh joel]

Semper fi marine!

Welcome aboard.

[Todd Smith]

Hello All,

I'm Todd Smith, 50 yrs old. Fairly new here... 7 or 8 months I think. Awesome forum  !! I have 3 children, all girls, 21, 15, and 5 yrs in age. I am an independent oil producer and oil well service rig operator. Have done this for 33 yrs. Got into bladesmithing about 3 yrs ago and have been totally consumed with it every since. So glad to find this forum and all great people who are so helpful and willing to share information. Built my first forge with lots of guidance from folks here. Thanks All,

Todd

[Barney Barnett]

Hey All,

 

I'm Barney Barnett, 41 yrs old.  I have 3 kids 2 boys 12 and 4 and a girl who is 3.  Glad to be here in this forum. Been reading a lot.  I built my first little brick coal forge a couple years ago.  Just got a new propane 2 blower forge a couple months ago when I moved.  Love it.  Made a few knives. Working on some now that I am done moving.  Going to try my first damascus one here soon, wish me luck. I just love forging and making knives. Got my 12 year old into it. Got him a smaller anvil so we work on stuff together now. He's working on a railroad spike knife now for his first one I am not hammering on with him.  Glad to be here and learn from you all.

[Don Abbott]

Welcome.

 

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