Darryl K Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 (edited) Hey guys! I'm from California and i've been interested in smithing for a long time, I just haven't had the financial means to support it. I recently moved and my, aged, neighbor happens to restore old John Deer tractors. He also happens to have almost all the tools needed for bladesmithing, and has kindly agreed to let me use them whenever I need, or want to since he isn't doing very much anymore. So, now I just need knowledge. I've already learned a lot by reading info on this forum, and I look forward to learning a lot more. Thanks for any help you may give to me in the future! Sorry for the lengthy introduction, ~ Darryl Edit: Forgot to ask if anyone was located in California as well. Edited September 6, 2007 by Darryl K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sheffield Posted September 7, 2007 Share Posted September 7, 2007 Welcome. I like your avatar. That part in the show made me laugh so hard. "FOOOD! FIRE!!!!" My life is like shaving with a razor sharp machete. It's a bit awkward and I feel a sting every now and then, but in the end I'm happy with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Potter Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Sorry for the lengthy introduction, ~ Darryl Edit: Forgot to ask if anyone was located in California as well. Greetings form So. Cal, Yes belive it or not there are blade smiths in Cali. Ben, Altadena,Near L.A. Ben Potter Bladesmith It's not that I would trade my lot Or any other man's, Nor that I will be ashamed Of my work torn hands- For I have chosen the path I tread Knowing it would be steep, And I will take the joys thereof And the consequences reap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl K Posted October 12, 2007 Author Share Posted October 12, 2007 Well cool! I'm up near Sacramento but I come down near LA pretty often. Good to know someones here as well, I was starting to give up on finding anyone in CA. ~ Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pringle Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 There's hella bladesmiths in Northern Cal, we just antisocial I guess Or maybe the high cost of living keeps everyone at work too much... welcome! Jomsvikingar Raða Ja! http://vikingswordsmith.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 There's hella bladesmiths in Northern Cal, we just antisocial I guess Or maybe the high cost of living keeps everyone at work too much... welcome! Hi Jeff. I just heard your name at Oktoberfest. Seems that you did a steelmaking run shortly after I dozed off early . Oh well. By the way, how did it go? Most of us CBA blacksmiths are pretty friendly. Some aren't though. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl K Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 There's hella bladesmiths in Northern Cal, we just antisocial I guess Or maybe the high cost of living keeps everyone at work too much... welcome! I'd vote the latter of the two hahaha. ~ Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pringle Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 The Octoberfest smelt was great from a smelting perspective, a high yield of metal considering the smallish charge size. I pulled about 3/4 of the metal out of the furnace (while it was running) in the form of a ring of sintered iron particles, that was probably entertaining to watch, for those who were up that late. I just figured out yesterday that the last few smelts have not gotten hot enough for steel because my furnace blower is giving up after ten years of service, not quite putting out the CFMs it used to. So from a steel-making perspective the run was not so great - but that's alright by me, low carbon stuff is useful, too. The CBA is a cool organization, definitely not antisocial! They do alot to encourage & promote the hammering of hot metal in the state Jomsvikingar Raða Ja! http://vikingswordsmith.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. Norris Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Welcome Darryl, Hey, check this out! Sierra Forge & Fire “All work is empty save when there is love, for work is love made visible.” Kahlil Gibran "It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them." - Alfred Adler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Wolfe Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Well cool! I'm up near Sacramento but I come down near LA pretty often. Good to know someones here as well, I was starting to give up on finding anyone in CA. ~ Darryl I'm Nice and I'm just up I-80 about an hour from Sacramento. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Hull Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi Darryl, New also, living in Redwood City, CA, SF bay area. I'm very interested in smelting and working towards the skill to work with wootz. I am amazed at the information that is available on the forums. It is great. I would love to find some suppliers in northern California for refractory items and iron and steel. Even an A6 graphite crucilbe seems hard to come up with. If not, ship it in from back east. I have attended a couple of blacksmith hammer in, last in Washington state this year. I certainly found them to be a generous and friendly group. Keep trying, maybe one guy was having a bad day. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl K Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 Hi Darryl, New also, living in Redwood City, CA, SF bay area. I'm very interested in smelting and working towards the skill to work with wootz. I am amazed at the information that is available on the forums. It is great. I would love to find some suppliers in northern California for refractory items and iron and steel. Even an A6 graphite crucilbe seems hard to come up with. If not, ship it in from back east. I have attended a couple of blacksmith hammer in, last in Washington state this year. I certainly found them to be a generous and friendly group. Keep trying, maybe one guy was having a bad day. Stephen Hey man, I know what you mean about trying to find stuff, it is quite hard. I haven't been really makin anything cause I havn't found any place to get much thats within my reach. Thanks for the encouragement. Good luck to you! ~ Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan Ysselstein Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 "The Octoberfest smelt was great from a smelting perspective, a high yield of metal considering the smallish charge size. I pulled about 3/4 of the metal out of the furnace (while it was running) in the form of a ring of sintered iron particles, that was probably entertaining to watch, for those who were up that late." Jeff Pringle's quote Jeff, I am really sorry I misssed that event! Was this a crucible smelt or a charcoal furnace? Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan pfanenstiel Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 (edited) I'm pretty anti-social, but that's 'cause I'm in Modesto. If I had more time for such things, I'd be checking out some of the CBA events as well as the few bladesmith hammer-ins around the state. Dan P.s. Hey Darryl, I was born in Sequoia Hospital there on the Alameda de las Pulgas. Funny the small world this internet thingy makes. Edited October 28, 2007 by dan pfanenstiel Dan Pfanenstiel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McAhron Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 (edited) Clay planet in San Jose shouuld be able to supply you with all you need refractory wise.Ive built multiple forges and three kilns with supplies from them and from Ellis Knife supply who has castable refractories. Edited October 28, 2007 by McAhron N'T McAhron Sqwaukin Vulture Verrinder "to create is to make art" TREMBLING EARTH KNIFE WORKS (website coming soon) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pringle Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 I misssed that event! Was this a crucible smelt or a charcoal furnace? Jan, it was a crucible smelt, same style as the one a few years back - this time I snuck in and did it after dark For refractories and crucibles, don't forget Pyrominerals in Oakland - you should shop there just for the cool name! Also Leslie ceramic in Berkeley has kaowool and soft brick, and don't forget Budget Casting supply in San Mateo for el cheapo crucibles and ferrosilicon. Jomsvikingar Raða Ja! http://vikingswordsmith.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl K Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 I'm pretty anti-social, but that's 'cause I'm in Modesto. If I had more time for such things, I'd be checking out some of the CBA events as well as the few bladesmith hammer-ins around the state. Dan P.s. Hey Darryl, I was born in Sequoia Hospital there on the Alameda de las Pulgas. Funny the small world this internet thingy makes. Oh really? Small world indeed! Thanks for the tips on places to check guys! Its really helpful! ~ Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now