The group for project week in the forge. Directors Dereck Glaser (in back) and Nick Rossi (far right) guiding us in a Beginner Blacksmithing throughout the week.
Day 1: Monday, 3/4/19
Location: New Hampton, NH
Summary Buzzwords: Rugged Clothing, "Forged in Fire"
On Monday we traveled to Walmart in Plymouth. At Walmart we prepared for the week by getting rugged clothes. We got things like jeans and shirts that were 100% cotton. Rugged clothes were important to the week because your clothes get absolutely trashed, and you need some clothes you don’t care about. After Walmart we went to “Tractor supply” also in Plymouth, and got boots and more clothes. Boots were essential because it protected your feet from things like hot steel, and sharp blades. After we got back we went into a classroom and watched a tv show about the fundamentals of blacksmithing that prepared us for what the week had in store. It was an early night for the blacksmith boys because we had an early departure Tuesday morning, at 5:15 am. #SleepySteve
Day 2: Tuesday, 3/5/19
Location: New Hampton, NH -> Auburn, ME
Summary Buzzwords: Fire Prep, Hooks, Nails, Bottle Openers
After lunch we took our skills from making hooks to make a bottle opener. First we lit our fires, then Derek showed us the steps of crafting a bottle opener. We included previous techniques such as shoulders and tapering. The bottle opener was more difficult to forge than the hooks. But through the fire we all emerged with working bottle openers. #BigRedCarter
First thing on our plates on Tuesday was fire prep. We learned how to properly start and maintain a coal forge fire. An important part of blacksmithing is making sure the forge is at the right temperature to heat up the metal. We can adjust this by allowing or not allowing a flow of air through the forge. #IssaKnifeAlec
Tuesday was our first day in the forge. After Derek showed us how to use the forge he taught us several of the fundamental techniques of blacksmithing. These techniques include shouldering (shown above), tapering, bending and twisting, cutting and punching, and spreading. We used this in our other projects throughout the week. #FabioSeth
Day 3: Wednesday, 3/6/19
Location: Auburn, ME
Summary Buzzwords: Texas Nose picker, Leaves
Making our Texas nose picker. After we tapered the grill side to a dull point we had to make a handle. We tapered the handle to a point so we could curve the point back on itself and then we offset the end to curve it back to make the actual handle. #HarrySecor
After the we made the handle we twisted the metal as a decoration and to make a good grip. The water was to make the the twist consistent. During the twist a lot of scale falls off. #HarrySecor
We finished the Texas nose pickers and stated on leaf pendants which were very difficult. In this picture Seth is spreading the leaf using the cross peen of the hammer. After flattening the leaf we used a tool to make an imprint in the leaf. Finally on the end of the bar you flatten the end and forged it back into a circle so you can put rope through it. #HarrySecor
Day 4: Thursday, 3/7/19
Location: Auburn, ME
Summary Buzzword: Camping Knives
We just finished a days work of blacksmithing. The entire day was spent forging our knives. We started with a basic piece of steel. We then stretched it and shaped it to form our blades. We stretched the metal by heating it up and then constantly hitting it with our hammers. We then shaped our knives with a belt grinder. Driscoll is very happy with the way his knife is looking. #BigRedCarter
We started the morning with a 4 inch piece of flat metal stock. Because it was made with a higher percentage of carbon, it took a lot more heat and harder blows with the hammer in order to shape it. However, that allows the metal to hold an edge for longer and keep from chipping. By midday when we broke for lunch, we had turned those flat pieces of steel into vague knife shapes. The most important parts of shaping the knives were keeping them straight and not pounding them too thin.
#IssaKnifeAlec
On Thursday, we were able to forge our own blade starting with a small piece of flat stock. Forging our blades gave us a good idea of what they will eventually look like. One of the most crucial parts of the knife making process was grinding our blades. We were able to use a belt grinding to really create a unique outline and make sure all the edges are clean. This process was one of the most fun parts of the trip because I got to see my piece that had the general look of a blade to looking like a functioning tool. #AdamShuchart
Day 5: Friday, 3/8/19
Location: Auburn, ME -> New Hampton, NH
Summary Buzzwords: Finishing Knives, Coat Racks
We began Friday by finishing the knives we began Thursday. We began by treating the blades with acid to give them a black color and waxed them to keep them from rusting. We learned several different methods of wrapping the handle. Director Nick helped put a convex edge on the blades then we put the final edge on using a wet stone and buffed them using a piece of leather. #FabioSeth
After we were done with our knives we forged coat racks and hooks. It was difficult to make the hooks similar for the rack. While we were making the rack we learned how to cut the metal and how to hot punch it for screw holes. We also riveted our hooks to the rack. #FabioSeth
Today is our last day. We started off the day by going to Krispy Kreme, this put all of us in a good mood being that we woke up so early. After that Burns wanted a bagel from Dunkin' Donuts. Once he got his bagel from the drive thru, he offered the Dunkin' Donuts person a Krispy Kreme donut. When we got to the forge we waxed, wrapped, and sharpened our knives. After that we finished up projects we started earlier in the week. #BigRedCarter
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