BLACKSMITHING - PRACTICE THIS EVERYDAY for cleaner forging

[@rigidironworks9834]

Great seeing you back brother.

[@workingwithiron]

I'm back!! 😀 Hopefully for good this time around. Feels good to be back in the forge creating again! Hope you're well

[@6Sally5]

Just found your channel Nathan. I am a 73 year old beginner blacksmith, so I watch as many smithing videos as possible. I really like the quality of your channel…the videography, the soft spoken explanations, and of course, the beautiful craftsmanship of your work. Thank you!

[@robertmseay7641]

It’s good to know you’re back! I’ve missed your instructional style.

[@workingwithiron]

It's good to be back Robert 🙂 a little rusty hence the practicing of forging to section to see if I can still do it. This is my go to practice piece.

[@richardhazell2601]

Good to see you back man. I've learned so much from watching your videos. I've not been smithing very long and you certainly helped me develop my skills - especially in those early days. My favourite set of tongs were made after extensive watching and rewatching of your instructional lessons Every day is a school day ... many thanks. Richard.

[@workingwithiron]

Much appreciated Richard, im glad i can help you in some way on this journey!

[@ugo7295]

Thank you, a wealth of information… 2 that stand out for me …one is striking the edge to maintain a flat profile two don’t try to control the rebound (other than not smacking yourself in the forehead)…. LOL. Thank you again “Ugo” from Wyoming USA.

[@foddertube]

Greatly appreciate the skill you demonstrate Nathan. Good to see another video!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks Garry, means a lot, hopefully you get sick of seeing them 😜 got a lot of stuff I wanna make and share pretty soon.

[@Munxcub]

I need to do more practice pieces like this and not worry about everything being a product or tool or something. Sometimes the piece can simply be for the practice. 👍 Thanks for the reminder.

[@workingwithiron]

So true! Ive always loved process more than product myself but love being able to take what is in this video and apply it to every project i do. its fundamental for sure! Keep up the good work!

[@echoloc8]

Great to see you back! Yours are some of the best videos out there for cleanliness and technique.

[@workingwithiron]

I appreciate that rich, thank you!

[@olofjansson9356]

Great video on an aspect of blacksmithing much overlooked by most YT presenters. You showed a number of subtle moves that will definitely improve my skills! Many thanks!

[@michaelssomerville]

Fantastic work, as always!

[@workingwithiron]

i appreciate that, thank you!

[@Recklessness97]

Thank you very informative!

[@workingwithiron]

You are welcome! Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@genesmith2416]

You and Gary Houston have the best instructional blacksmithing videos on the plant .Glad you back at it

[@workingwithiron]

Wow, thanks! I do enjoy Garys vids he seems like a humble guy!

[@Taitius]

Thanks!

[@workingwithiron]

Taitius thank you very very much for the support, i really appreciate it. whats the background of the name? its great!

[@SuperiorEtchworx]

Thanks for this, your clean forgings have always inspired me to get cleaner results

[@workingwithiron]

Great to hear! hope this one really helps out a little bit more.

[@martinbuenahora8124]

It's great to see you again! Thank you for the video, it was very informative and entertaining. I love these videos that deal more with the material than with a procedure, which is something I really haven't seen anywhere else. I think it's very important to understand how metal moves, and you show it really well. Congrats!

[@workingwithiron]

Glad you like them! this message has really inspired me for another video, would you mind if i use a screenshot of it in a video?

[@martinbuenahora8124]

@@workingwithiron I'm glad to read it! I'd be honored to be on a screenshot on one of your videos, haha. I edited my comment to correct a typo. Greetings from Colombia

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

TBH, I've missed seeing your videos. Understand the why's n all behind the life process that kept you in a different place. Respect. Glad to watch n rewatch your work here . Super glad to see new content. Amongst the several other teaching Smith's here.... I owe you semesters of uni proceeds!!! 😂😂 Blessings Sir Crawford out 🙏🏻🔥⚒️🧙🏼‍♂️

[@workingwithiron]

Ah man, crawford, thank you! yeh life is all over the place sometimes but this feels like home! Dont be daft, a view is more than enough, i appreciate every last one of them! Just glad i can help out in some way!

[@beammeupscotty1955]

It's always a pleasure watching someone who knows how to swing a hammer.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you, it was never always this way and im sure it can still improve. glad you are still enjoying the content

[@SlowEarl1]

Outstanding! Really appreciate your instructional videos!

[@workingwithiron]

you are more than welcome, i really like this format. especially with good feedback like this. i appreciate your time finney!

[@thijs3514]

Nice one Nathan! Good to see you forging again!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks 👍 its great to get back by the fire again!

[@bradleycairns908]

@workingwithiron, great video. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, I found it very informative. Once I've put the last couple of welds on a prefabricated coal forge, the wife and kids bought me for my birthday, I know now know exactly what I'll be starting with on my journey in becoming a blacksmith/bladesmith. I also watched your video on forging a holdfast, so I'll definitely be working towards a similar project to that, as opposed to going out and spending what I would currently have to classify as an obscene amount of money on a vice I cannot presently afford 😀 🔥⚒️👍 Thanks again for the awesome video Brad

[@b2bogster]

Absolutely! I've been making the same thing over and over again to sell and it has been a great test in forging. Thank you.

[@markhaszoe-life6337]

This is an awesome channel thank you for doing this, I'm already learning, I've been forging a little bit on and off for a couple years just learning on my own. and people like you taking the time to show how to do it is great I appreciate it keep up the good work

[@lencecchetto]

Hi Nath, good to see u again. Loved that exercise, I'm not forging at the moment, I moved in 21 and can' set up my smithy where I am but hope one day I can get back into it. Take care my friend.

[@workingwithiron]

Ah man thats a shame, is there anywhere you can go rent some shop space from with another smith? Hope you get yourself back in the forge soon!

[@lencecchetto]

@@workingwithiron Not really don't know any around where I live. Thanks mate hopefylly one day befoe I get any older.

[@SlowEarl1]

This is by far the best process I have found to help improve my hammer control which is poor at the moment but now thanks to you improving.

[@ginojaco]

@workingwithiron Good tutorial, you've set a very high standard in your videos so far; the general lack of distracting / annoying music is also good. I think you should carry on as you are, when you have the time, with a good mix of demonstrations on tool-making and forging general articles. Thanks. 👍

[@PeteResseguieSnyder]

Thanks for the great video. While I've been blacksmithing for a few years now and have many of these principals down adequately well, I still find myself learning from your descriptions and the phenomenal well shot video of your technique.

[@workingwithiron]

I really appreciate that Pete, thank you. Im so glad i can show you in a way that gets the teachings across well enough. I would love to have everyone here watching in person but this is the best i can do for now, thanks again!

[@joshuadelisle]

Love it Nath. When you show us more? Cheers J

[@HighDesertForgeIronworks]

Great video Nathan. You explained it the way I envisioned it when I saw other smiths do something similar to this, Thanks. I have been watching your channel for a few years, you tend to go away for awhile from time to time, but I'm glad you're posting videos again.

[@workingwithiron]

I appreciate that Thank you! Yes consistency is a real struggle with my youtube stuff as im always asked to help others out and im a sucker for not saying NO but working on changing that. Id love to film everything i make but smetimes its permission isssues that stop it. And if i have time to film during making, its not always possible. I hope to change that soon though and show everything!

[@01Luggage]

I really need to learn to take my time like you do. I see so many things I mess up by moving too fast.

[@waaagh3203]

Slow is smooth. Smooth becomes fast.

[@gregmiller1951]

My thoughts exactly. This is the best instruction i have come across! Makes me Want to practice!

[@MJHemmer]

Good exercise and easy to turn into tongs!

[@mikejackson9551]

Really enjoy all your videos. I like how you talk through the process. I have learned so much. Keep up the good work.

[@stantilton2191]

Simple practice skills are the basis of clean forgings. Great work, Thank you.

[@georgegriffiths2235]

Missed your instructions glad to see you back 👍

[@workingwithiron]

Me too george. hopefully i can keep this going. we shall see. really enjoyed getting back in the forge and making.

[@DireWolfForge]

I appreciate what you do in your videos. Your explanations are well thought out and your forging is excellent. Thanks for all you do.

[@syrdavidar]

Loved the video! Thats an excellent practice and skill task. I have a couple guys that have been learning in the shop, I bet you can guess what they will be doing soon!! Lol. Planishing is a skill learned with lots of hammer time. I started metal work by making medieval armor, and have (in the last five years) just started smithing as a whole. Planishing your work takes times but what an amazing look it can bring. Thanks again, great video!

[@workingwithiron]

Thats great to hear david! yes definately get them on this, they will benefit immensely, It can be a little boring as it has no real project value but for building skills of clean work up its definately valueable in the long run. I did this every day for 5 years as a warmup and its the best thing i ever did. You should give them like 20 minutes to see how quick they can smash it out with a little competitivness between the lads, get them to vote for the cleanest, thats what we did in college when learning this. the next time they do it it will be such a difference. keep us updated how it goes! Thanks again!

[@johndo1133]

Thanks so much for this video! I took my first blacksmithing class a couple of years ago and first bladesmithing class last year. Because of my infrequency with forging, getting into the rhythm outside of the class structure is difficult. My hope is to get an anvil, forge, and tolls this summer, and this will be one of the techniques I focus on. Again, thanks a ton.

[@workingwithiron]

That is awesome! Get it done john, its very rewarding when you can just go forge whenever you have time! Hope you get it all sorted soon! good luck!

[@jamesbrady3433]

Thank you very much. Alot of information there.

[@daverigby2577]

Thank you for this...your patience to teach is appreciated

[@workingwithiron]

You are very welcome Dave! Thank you!

[@pvff6375]

Long time watcher/subscriber.. As always, thanks for the content. As you can tell, many of us really appreciate your skill and the way you convey your knowledge.

[@workingwithiron]

I appreciate that! thank you for your kind words!

[@jamesfranklyn8547]

Thank you, I've just started out and it's been great to find such good advice and instruction on techniques and what to practice. Looking forward to more. All the best.

[@jeffjewell7400]

Thank you from Ontario Canada. Very inspiring hammer discipline.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks for watching! Hope you guys are keeping warm over there! would love to visit one day

[@danielbowman5299]

Really enjoyed this video, cleared up a few things i have been struggling to grasp. Now down to practise

[@threeriversforge1997]

Great to see you back!

[@workingwithiron]

Glad to be back mate, hopefully get a few more out before long.

[@valsforge4318]

Thanks for your time. You've still got it, man.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you too! haha im not sure about that but im definately not giving up on this!

[@valsforge4318]

@@workingwithiron Thats awesome, cannot wait to see more.

[@ilee3544]

Great video. Will definitely be rewatching this for all the tips

[@alcmbauer1]

Just got my anvil and forge. Looking forward to trying this out!

[@davelovins]

long time no see! glad to have ya back and at it again!

[@workingwithiron]

thanks Dave, im glad to be back doing what i love!

[@coreyshier7526]

I am Loving this video! You explain it so well, I learn alot from your videos.

[@workingwithiron]

I'm so glad i can help you corey, it means a lot. Thank you!

[@WG1807]

Great instruction there and another top video. Thanks.

[@workingwithiron]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks a lot finarfin. whats the meaning of your name? ive always wanted to ask

[@WG1807]

@@workingwithiron Finarfin is a character in the Tolkien legendarium. A high elf and one of the earliest characters in the history. He was half brother to Feanor who was perhaps the greatest elven smith and craftsman of all time. I initially tried to select the name Feanor as a YT username but alas it was already in use by someone else. It was Feanor who made the 3 Silmarils, mighty jewels that became the source of much history (and a lot of strife) in the entire work of Tolkien and it was Finarfin who was father of the mighty she-elf, Galadriel. Bit of a Tolkien geek as you can see, lol.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice and very helpful and definitely useful video explaining this. Thanks so much. Forge On. God Bless.

[@workingwithiron]

You're very welcome! Thank you Jared!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

@@workingwithiron you're welcome. Can't wait to see more videos soon.

[@m.d.6565]

Thank you! I will try this exercise at home.

[@kobusvanzyl7222]

I have a question. I found two forged (I'm quite certain they are) items I kept from my dad. One is a set of metal snippers made in England the other a set of small pliers. The latter is pivoting invisibly and is joined in a mortice and tenon manner. It looks impossible. Any idea how the toolmakers of old did this?

[@davemc1944]

Excellent video.

[@col925]

Nice clean forging good instruction how heavy is your hammer? Do you reduce the shaft to suit to reduce vibrations 😊

[@workingwithiron]

thanks colin. its only 1 3/4lb hammer and the shaft came as it is. i didnt do anything to it. i havent ever noticed vibrations from it as i dont grip it very tightly it kind of just floats there and i grip it on the downswing. hope that helps

[@col925]

I honestly thought it was a heavier hammer but you can certainly swing it ,I might try a lighter hammer to see if I can improve my swing

[@workingwithiron]

@@col925 it's just the temperature rather than the hammer size, if I'm just moving material then I'm as close to welding temperatures as I can be, it's so much easier. When you get used to working in that temperature range you can move a lot of material. What size hammer do you use at the moment?

[@col925]

3lb cross pein at moment , but shaft is a bit bulky and solid feel

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

@@workingwithiron very valuable information in this comment. Lots of new folks really need to know n understand this concept. Saves wrists n elbows metric tons of abuse! Hope I said that correctly 🙏🏻🔥⚒️🧙🏼‍♂️

[@Vange-smeden]

I really like your videos! Im doing tongs for the moment but i am working up to make me a rounding hammer next from 60mm round 1045 steel. If you could do a video on one i would really like to watch that. My heart is in toolmaking for the moment. Greetings from Sweden!

[@workingwithiron]

Sounds great! I would really like to make one also but im in that limbo and laziness of, i got to make other tools to make the tool mentality. something i struggle with when i am not forging, but working on the motivation side of life. Love sweden, would really like to visit one day. Ive always wanted to make a stainless steel hammer and have some 60mm round, i might have a go soon. if you see me making hammer making tooling you know whats coming! Thaks for the kind words and suggestions. much appreciated

[@Slickheadhunter]

Beautiful work Nathan! And your anvil is also beautiful, what is the make and weight?

[@dcmsr5141]

I'm impressed with the video and subbed.

[@cydrych]

Thank you for suggesting that this could be turned into tongs because I was thinking that as good an exercise this is it seemed like a waste of fuel to me until you said that. A video of making tongs from this would be helpful.

[@workingwithiron]

It's literally just process, can be broken up into it's own demonstrations, square to rectangle, square to round, rectangle to round set down, how to work bars, it's just the method. For tongs all you would need to do is on the first isolation, go at a 45degree and create a boss then forge that isolation to section. It's the basics of forging broken down is all. It's a great exercise to do to get good fast. I agree a waste of fuel with that size bar but could do a 3inch piece of 3/8 stock in maybe 5 heats maximum even 2 or 3. Just as a warm up exercise. Aiming for clean tight and straight edges and corners. Will make a hell of a difference to anybodys forge work. It's also to show working temperature, and to work it colourful rather than hot to cold. Back in at orange etc.

[@cydrych]

@@workingwithiron I apologize if my comment came off as criticism, I am grateful for the exercise and the idea of turning that exercise into something functional. Thanks for the explanation of creating the tongs. I will have to give this a go sometime after the holidays. ✌🏻

[@workingwithiron]

Oh not at all. It's a great comment I'm glad you mentioned it. Hopefully my reply answers a lot of questions other people have also.

[@speedxdreems]

Welcome back!

[@gamende14th]

I may have missed this in the video, but did you mention the weight of your hammer? Great Video and great information. Thanks!

[@workingwithiron]

ahhhh man i did not, completely forgot. I use a 1 3/4lb shoe turning hammer. thank you very much for your membership, its greatly appreciated. Im gonna add it to the description as im getting a fair few questions on this. Its more about the heat of the work though rather than hammer size.

[@anthonyberry8604]

Could you do a video in the bird head you have for your logo?

[@jackfrst487]

Beautiful camera work to show what the blows are doing to the piece, and the chalk drawings mid-forging are always excellent to assist with learning. I frequently recommend your videos to others and think you do a wonderful job teaching.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you very much jack, i really appreciate it. thanks for watching im glad you enjoyed the angles shown.

[@zumdrummer]

Great, thank you!

[@JacksonDunnoKnows]

Good demonstration as usual. Good teacher. When I made my first spring fuller I used your demonstration. It's a little rusted, but still works great, chose to use coil spring for it. I make alot of mjölnir pendants with that one, great size for the initial set downs. 🍻

[@workingwithiron]

thats what i love to hear Jackson! im glad you are getting use out of the vids. i still need to make one out of spring steel, might have to do that soon! Thanks for the kind words.

[@WildHeartForge]

Great video! Just a question on your tongs, do you prefer the reigns that far apart and why? I am making my own tongs and looking for some more info...

[@workingwithiron]

I don't and good observations. These tongs were made to fit 16mm and the bar was 20mm but I didn't want to adjust them. You have made me want to make more tongs now 🤣 thank you!

[@WildHeartForge]

I am going to be greedy and ask if you will make a video of the tongs you make? I have watched your other video a bunch of times, and I still struggle getting the transitions right with a very basic setup. Effectively I work with a hammer, anvil, chisel and one hand held fuller (for now).

[@MrBakkerBolletje]

thats were thong clamps are made for 😅

[@sugardust8443]

Man I hope you are BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@workingwithiron]

Me too! im working on it for sure, have a few filmed just gotta spend time editing and get them uploaded. Fingers crossed

[@sugardust8443]

The community is a better place with you in it. Welcome back

[@sebasreinartz]

thanks man!

[@workingwithiron]

its all you, thank you!

[@jasonsytsma9367]

Teaching skills are on par with the smithing skills.

[@cbakrio]

how much weights that hammer?

[@workingwithiron]

1 3/4 lb hammer

[@РоманКош-Салгир]

Браво!😊👍

[@stephdesireless1037]

Hi Nathan can you still obtain coal in uk for your forging due to the green agenda ?.....love the videos !

[@workingwithiron]

Yes, can still buy coke and Welsh steam coal. Everything is available but the quality is shocking and the price has the agenda inflation on it 🙄🕵️ luckily I bought a load before all this fear took hold. I appreciate it, thank you.

[@matttaimuty5397]

Great teaching. Great forging. For me, the best part is this man KNOWS how to swing a hammer. For those who are having trouble getting stock to move, here is a lesson for you. He uses the full range of motion of his shoulder and arm. He uses a whip action in the wrist. It's amazing how much faster your hammer head will fly with a flick of the wrist. He has a long hammer handle and uses it to advantage by gripping it out near the end of the handle. That increases the speed of the hammer head. Force is mass x velocity squared. Because the velocity is squared, the faster the hammer head moves the more the force increases exponentially.

[@ThomasShue]

What anvil is this?

[@workingwithiron]

Kohlswa anvil. Swedish.

[@ThomasShue]

@ it’s Fucking Beautiful

[@workingwithiron]

@ThomasShue yeh it's a thing of beauty but so loud. Quite soft too so marks way too easily. Way better anvils out there.

[@davidhuerta788]

👍

[@justmakeit2616]

A good blacksmith can lift his own anvil. Good luck wirh that monster anvil

[@waaagh3203]

How heavy do you think that is? Like 300 pounds? Seriously curious.

[@grandmajosephine383]

Where's the turtle?

[@workingwithiron]

He's gone. I didn't really have enough footage for a full video and didn't have the time to film during the build. I will see if I can make a short video on the build to show you. If you go to my Instagram there is a finished pic of it. Click my profiles about page and there is a link to my Instagram there.

[@ugo7295]

My apologies… meant to say strike myself in the forehead not you…sorry. “Ugo”

[@ДмитрийНекрасов-р9ъ]

Пятой точкой на наковальню кузнецы не садятся! Это всё равно что себе на лицо сесть! У наковальни есть лицо и это лицо кузнеца!

[@ArtFire48]

Садится на наковальню то зачем??; (

[@singlended]

Theres your problem-the rounding hammer!

[@workingwithiron]

Problem? please explain as i dont understand what you are referring to

[@singlended]

@@workingwithiron rounding hammer=dimples in steel - flatish forging hammer = flatish finish.

[@syrdavidar]

Nathen do you have a discord chat, or a place we can send pictures and discuss our work and possibly get advice from you on how to improve it?

[@workingwithiron]

id be more than happy to do that. I do have a discord account but ive not been in there in a while so will have to figure out the login details this week sometime. i will let you know when i get in and send a link over. i will add it to a members only post for you guys.

[@ilee3544]

I would be interested as well

[@workingwithiron]

hiya mate. check the latest members only community post. let me know if the link works