The love of Blacksmithing

[rev_jch]

Hi everyone, my name is John. I grew up blacksmithing and forging since the age of 8. My grandfather was a farmer and blacksmith before me. My father also had a limited amount of blacksmithing experience himself growing up on the farm. When my grandfather died in the mid 1970's my father and I when to a neighboring farm and purchased an old 1902 Sears & Roebuck Farmer's Forge that we restored together. He also showed me a page out of my grandfather's old 1902 Sears & Roebuck catalogue from his house showcasing the Forge. My father then began to teach me, and I also learned from others and library books how to repair and make old farm implements, horseshoes, camp equipment, shepherd hooks, tomahawks, flint strikers and my favorite forging knife blades. I remember my first knife was made out of a railroad spike that I made the common "spiral handle" and case-hardened blade (it was not an HC stamped head) at the age of 8 that same year. That was during the time when you could pick up old, discarded iron and pieces from along the tracks before it was forbidden. From then on for well over 40 years (off and on) I have made and repaired many different items. Today my favorite is still forging blades. Unfortunately (now in my high 50's) I am not able to physically do the work anymore. However, I still derive much joy out of watching others do their work and seeing new people become interested in an all, but dying art.

 

[Scott M]

My knees and back are shot but I'm not quiting. I'm 59. It must be hard to part with that. I wish I was closer or I'd snap that up. I wish you luck.

 

[rev_jch]

Thank you I appreciate it. It's been a big part of my life so it is hard to give it up.