Captain

Here is a link to the shop that is in the settlement I am in. I mentioned this to you in a previous post.
http://www.bighornforge.com/

I made a visit again today and saw a great looking fireplace set with a Dragon head pedestal. Very Medevil looking. I now. have a plan to carve a mantel to go along with it. s for carvings can come from any where and any time

Dale

[Captain_Bandaid]

Dale, now that man is a true master blacksmith! Beautiful work! I hold no misconceptions about being just a hobby blacksmith and will not compare my work to that of a master. Humbling though it may be, it is a pleasure to look at his work. Thanks for the link! Wonder if he carves wood, too?

I understand why you have a passion for this type of work. I may take the class that he offers to really get a feel for what it is like. The atmosphere in his shop makes you feel as if you are back in the 1800's. When you look up at the walls and rafters everything is coal black almost as if was burned. I am sure he stays nice and warm in the winter

Dale

[Captain_Bandaid]

Dale, one of the real attractions to blacksmithing is the connection to the past. Although I use a modern gas fired forge and a modern cast steel anvil, my leg vise is about 100 years old. Every nick and dent tells a story. Woodcarving probably pre-dates blacksmithing but somehow there isn't the same connection. Maybe it's because we use modern tools and power equipment or there are not many really old tools on the market. Do a search for Alex Weygers, a woodcarver and master blacksmith. There is a site dedicated to him. Woodcarving and blacksmithing just seem to go well together. Not surprisingly, blacksmithing is rapidly gaining in popularity again. The man I bought my anvil from said he has sold over 1000 anvils in the last 3 years.

Thanks I will do a search. I will also post back in the fall and let you know if I was able to take the class.

Take Care
Dale

[Callynne]

Dale, that's a terrific place, sure wish we lived closer! We go to a place called Roscoe Village, it's only about three hours from us over in Ohio. It's a 'working' village and they have a blacksmith also, definitely our kind of vacation...going back in time! What a wonderful place to work. Thanks for the link! Callynne

[Captain_Bandaid]

Found the link to his page: http://www.alexweygers.com/index.html

Wow, another great site. Thanks for the link. It is amazing that some people have so much tallent.

Dale