A Blacksmith in training from Virginia.

I first learned about blacksmithing late summer of 2019. A close friend asked me if I was interested in doing a quick four hour introduction class at a local maker space (NOVALabs in Reston, VA). We learned basic safety and hammer striking. I walked out with an "S" hook and I loved the feeling of having something I made in my own hands. I immediately took a deep interest in learning more and stretching my comfort and skill levels.

Since that day in 2019, I have been continuing my learning journey and will be formally undertaking training through the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing (VIB) in Waynesboro, VA, under Dale Morse. I intend to capture some of my initial pre-VIB projects as well as the work we complete along the way. Let's go!!!

A Journey in Pictures

First project: "S" Hook

First project completed. Was done as a part of the introductory class at NOVA Labs maker space in Reston, VA. Lots of fun truly fascinating start. Four of us in the class and had a great time!

(Sept-2019)

Local maker space forge set up in parking lot behind the NOVA Labs building.

(Sept-2019)

Kid sized marshmallow roasting stick.

This was the perfect size for my daughter who was just getting old enough, and strong enough, to hold a marshmallow roasting stick at a fire.

(Sept-2019)

Forged Christmas rattle made from sleigh bell blank and forged stem

This was first project where I applied texture and leaf lines to give the surface depth. Used a welder to anchor the stem. Rounded and wrapped end built by heating it up and wrapping around a pipe.

(Dec-2019)

Forged heart with stamped initials for a special girl!

Made this for my daughter who wanted a heart made. She was quite young at the time and had no idea what daddy might make.

(Jan-2020)

Rose made from flower blank set for Valentines Day

This was from a flower blank set I purchased online. First attempt at making anything with true leaf forms. A fun project but also required a bit of welding. I have come to learn of tenons and how I might be able to use them to secure the leaves the way a "real" blacksmith would :-)

(Jan-2020)

Double coat hook inspired from Black Bear Forge videos

I found this interesting because the first glance of twisted and layered forms seemed extremely complicated. Looking at this now, it was quite simple to make and only required me twisting the stem while hot and flattening it with a hammer.

(Jan-2020)

Valentines Day tea light holder

This was a pre cut project I made for my wife on Valentine's Day. First time using stamps to get the Xs and Os in place. Fun to put the curve into the face of this. Can't see it, but it holds a tea light candle which backlights the shapes. Fun and simple project.

(Feb-2020)

Railroad spike knife pre grind

I had always wanted to make a knife and part of my early interest in blacksmithing was to be able to make them. I later discovered this is called bladesmithing...which requires 2 hours at a grinder for every hour of hammering. Not my bag, but was a fun project

(Feb-2020)

Square knot hook

this was a more intricate design than I had taken on in the past. I was in some ways very simple, but in other ways quite complicated. This was the fist project where I needed to "forge weld" - a process of heating the metal up to a point where it would weld back onto itself. I made this in a propane forge and the large ones I used are rarely able to get hot enough to weld the ends together. Wasn't pretty but served the purpose of a fun visual design and next level complexity.

(Mar-2020)

Rebar fire poker

Yes, this is too long for a normal sized fire, but when making fire tools make big fire tools! Make fire big! This was another forge welding endeavor for the poker end of the bar. This was also my first entry into rounding the end of a bar as shown at the top. Using the horn of an anvil to shape and move the metal requires hand eye coordination in ways I had learned...and it shows :-)

(Mar-2020)