Blacksmithing for Beginners - The Basics of Hand Forging

Blacksmithing for Beginners - The Basics of Hand Forging. This video discuses the body mechanics of hand hammering for the blacksmith.

[@timothysullivan4130]

GREAT tip, being 62 & a retired Arborist my body is JUNK. As soon as I saw this video I fired up my forge oven & tried it, definitely helped THANKS.

[@FirehouseMike]

Good advice, thanks for sharing your #OldGuyAdvice. #OldGuyAdvice: The best thing an old blacksmith can teach a new blacksmith is how to become an old blacksmith.-Unknown #OldGuyAdvice: Be aware of an old man in a job where young men tend not to last. -Unknown #OldGuyAdvice: Age and wisdom don't always follow the same timeline.-M.Moore #OldGuyAdvice: Age doesn't always equal wisdom, just as rank doesn't equal leadership. -M.Moore Best wishes & stay safe.

[@demastust.2277]

Hey, he's not that old.

[@thomascorner3009]

I looked it up but could not find any other information on that crucial aspect of forging. And none of the guys forging on youtube use the same method. This video is like gold! Thank you so much for passing on this information.

[@joshyingling]

If you watch a farrier work you will see similar techniques, they swing their hips with almost every blow

[@anthonydean8477]

I saw a blacksmith on a BBC Doc "The Farm" set in the Victorian Era using the technique he was using. Then one day while visiting a horse ranch I saw a older farrier using it as well.

[@stickermigtigger]

Maybe it's not used much because it's fairy dust? It's probably a good weight loss exercise. 😁 I heard another old timer swear you should stand on one leg while hammering.

[@ajwhittlebang6977]

As a bloke who loves smithing what you demonstrate in this video is an excellent technique which I'll make sure I employ now I have a new hip to help bend and flex. Thank you for showing it as far better than simply bending at the hip which is how I used to deliver a heavy hammer blow. Gosh yet another better te hnique to learn at 64 y,o. It is also in keeping with OH& S best practice. Just needed reminding.

[@chicken9287]

I am still setting up my forge... So I have yet to learn any habits! I will try to incorporate this one. Thanks!

[@eviltwinx]

Makes perfect sense! I'll give this a try when I'm up and running.

[@m1k3thirteen81]

Alec Steele’s first video shows this technique very well. It was the first thing that I noticed was the efficiency of his body’s momentum.

[@OccupyArnhem]

This is kung fu! I used to practice kung fu and this technique is very similar to the ones used in the sport. Thanks for the valuable lesson.

[@legrandfromage9682]

Very helpful, thanks for the upload

[@christopherneelyakagoattmo6078]

You put your right foot in, your take your right foot out... Actually, it reminds me a bit of the Gandy dancer: the guys that pulled railroad spikes: repairing rail and replacing ties all day; back when this was done with pry bars and manual labor. It is all about conserving momentum and minimizing shock.

[@rome229]

My shoulder joints thanks you

[@Charlie-wq1gi]

So, is there a way for an older guy with a bad back to get into this hobby? I would love to but I don't know if I could these days.

[@df-intheshop330]

Unfortunately this isn't something I would try learning with a bad back. This video was designed to help people prevent back & arm injuries caused by the repetitive nature of the work. Not doing this right causes back problems - not the best exercise for your recovery. If you still want to go ahead with it start with simple projects that don't involve any heavy hammering and make sure your doctor is looking over your shoulder the whole time.

[@tinnyblacksmith3434]

Well I'm a young kid with a bad back my advice is to make sure your anvil is set up properly and use your hole body use 3lb to 1/2lb hammers and pace your self start making small stuff like stake turners with light stock I wouldn't go past half an inch I wold start with quarter inch stock at first and work your way up pay close attention to your hammer work and visited the chiropractor often and stretch before and after you work.

[@jimp7181]

Switching up the hand used to swing the hammer would also help. Not to give the arm a break, but to stress and develop the core muscles evenly. Having said that, I doubt that it will be easy.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

This makes good sense to me but ..... in order to use this technique I would first need two knee joint replacements....My knees simply don't bend any more. Also the discs in the lower half of my back are ground down and collapsed to virtual non existence and I have a very stooped posture. I have the anvil set higher and have to work bent over relying on upper body strength. It does get painful so I have plenty of breaks from work and I'm never in a hurry, preferring accuracy over speed. Ain't going to stop me though and I'll do the best that I can with the body I have left after a lifetime in deep coal mining.

[@alexzioek9680]

Very nice video! Would proper hand forging present an obvious hazard for somebody involved into fine arts such as drawing and playing a musical instrument? Thanks

[@df-intheshop330]

Most problems occur because people ignore the early warning signs telling them that they are doing something wrong. If anything you will probably be ten times more aware of any changes in flexibility or dexterity. Just think about what you are doing, be safe and have fun.

[@alexzioek9680]

@@df-intheshop330 Thank you for the answer. Not only this is a channel delivireing professional quality advise and scope into the BS world but you are also very helpful! Looking forward to pick your book on locksmithing. Thanks a lot and great explanation of the forging technique.

[@verdigrissirgidrev4152]

I've found that extending my arm to the front/up only results in higher striking force compared to the more natural front/side/up motion. Maybe that's just me.

[@bradymcphail9690]

funky Chicken! yessir

[@MJHemmer]

Same kind of technique when you’re swinging a sledge or an ax in a vertical cut.

[@jjcarnline8832]

I'm an older guy myself and im just getting into blacksmithing myself if you don't try you'll never no if you could just do it sir let's geter done together mmmk

[@TriCoFrg]

Are you Ieft handed? or is there any specific reason for the left hand hammering?

[@df-intheshop330]

Actualy I'm ambidextrous but I usually wind up working left handed for most things. In this case i do use the "right handed" forge set up because I always felt that the forges were set up backwards for right handed people anyway. If you are left handed working in a right handed forge you don't need to switch the tongs from the right to left hand when you take the work out of the fire.

[@df-intheshop330]

I mean a right handed smith needs to switch the tongs to his left hand a lefty is has his hammer hand free.

[@joeshangout420]

try some music bro

[@jimp7181]

Switching up the hand used to swing the hammer would also help. Not to give the arm a break, but to stress and develop the core muscles evenly. Having said that, I doubt that it will be easy.