Back to the forge. Axe time

With the reduced hours at the shop, I have had a bit more time to try and get to the forge. Last weekends adventures were with trying to make a folded throwing axe. My first attempt was a proof of concept piece and was done to see if I could get the welds to hold. My 2nd attempt was to add a piece of hardenable steel to the center to make a fully functional axe.

First Forged Axe

Forged Axe #2

Hoof Picks from horseshoes

I also turned out 2 batches of hoof picks from used horseshoes that my wife’s farrier gave to me. The first batch was a proof of concept batch to see how they would come out . they are pictured below. The 2nd batch was done to see how well I could do on production forging. I have not taken pictures of the 2nd batch but they will be coming. Here is the first batch:

Showed the first batch around and everyone agreed that the bottle opener was the best. the next batch all had bottle openers on them. More pictures soon.

Stay safe my friends.

Not Quite A&S, but I want to get the word out

My good and noble friends who love throwing things! Grimmsfield is pleased to announce the first annual Grimmsfield Thrown Weapons challenge. This is a social activity done at a distance. please see the rules page below and see what you can do to try and join in. This challenge is open to anyone who can figure out how to make it work. It is not a SCA challenge. Any questions, please feel free to ask. Grimmsfield does have a thrown weapons range that is open to anyone to come out and try it on a individual basis. Please spread the word. I will except scores from anywhere. https://www.grimmsfield.org/grimmsfield-throwers-challenge

Coal Tongs

 
 

Great jumping Jehoshaphat! Another post already? Yes, Yes indeed!. Got some quality time in the forge today. Decided to work on making coal tongs. I have found several examples of tongs that are in period, but the other day i came across a pair of tongs that i really wanted to try making. I have yet to find this type of action in period, but it is close. I have not given up looking, but for now. They are what they are. These will go in the kit for the Pennsic cook table. It all started at the Norva archery range, where they had a pair of fireplace tongs that I fell in love with. Not the use of them, but the design and the blacksmithing aspect. Here are the photos that I took for reference:

From these pictures came the design work plus notes added as I went along:

And then came the forging. In an attempt to keep it simple, I elected to drill the holes and use commercial rivets. Here is the process, with notes as I went along:

I am not sure how well the original tongs worked 1 handed, but these are definitely 2 handed tongs. However, they do do as good job picking up single pieces of coal (or charcoal). There are a few modifications I would make if i ever attempted to make these again. But all in all I am please with how they came out.

Plus I mase an “S” hook (WOOT!!!!):