Firemans axe part 1

A customer has requested a 3 1/2 pound fireman's axe. These smaller axes are often referred to as a trucker's axe. In part one of the series we look at punching the eye under the Say-Mak power hammer. The video format will be a bit different, as there will be no instructional narration plus I leave in all of the time waiting for the material to heat.
Thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in Southern Colorado.
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The following list provides just a few resources to help you find supplies and equipment for blacksmithing.
These first links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you buy from these dealers.
My blacksmiths apron www.Forge-Apron... use code BBF
My favorite cordless angle grinder - www.anrdoezrs.n...
My cordless die grinder - www.anrdoezrs.n...
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Other suppliers of blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhamme...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresf...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco....
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforg...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmith...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmiths...
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithb...
New anvils - www.oldworldan...
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils...
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore....
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.

[@chrisjones6002]

The little dance to the power hammer at about 6:20 made my day, lol

[@SamTownsBladesmith]

I love the inside look to your day to day work. This should be an interesting build and I appreciate the opportunity to see how things go when not so heavily edited. Cheers!

[@fernandotorresmarini8961]

Hi John! What is that black powder that you put when drilling?

[@Redtailedhawk99]

Fernando Torres Marini it’s crushed coal. They said it in the middle of the video.

[@mrjacob8836]

I think there’s a place for these fly on the wall videos in your channel. It’s always fun to watch somebody skilled do their work. Also presents a realistic perspective on how things really go in the shop.

[@wayneshirey6999]

Your expressed hope was realized: I DID enjoy the video. As a septuagenarian I'm too old to take up your trade, so I'm just an interested observer and this video suited me fine.

[@AZjuggler]

I really like your tutorials but it was cool to see how you work on projects when you're not teaching.

[@willsmith1233]

As a volunteer fire fighter I'm very excited to see the finished product and I like to see the different camera shots!

[@BigWillSD]

Let's talk him into forging a Halligan too :)

[@jackdawg4579]

The new apron had me suspicious - but that little jig to the power hammer beat - I see it all now, Teletubbies have taken over black Bear forge!

[@jimhumphrey]

I'm advocating 2-a-day vids. One real time in the morning and one tutorial in the afternoon. OK maybe I'm with tongue in cheek but I can dream. Nice video.

[@robertkatekaru887]

I personally enjoy watching tradesmen working in their respective fields. I could spend hours doing so. Your real-time video is a great workspace session in the life of a blacksmith.

[@DavoShed]

Love the Power Hammer dance at the beginning It certainly gives the workshop a beat.

[@gamallsdokkalfs7253]

I love that sound when I light my Chili gas forge. I love your shop. I built my own shop. Its small (crowded) with a dirt floor and no electric power, but it's my shop. My power is provided by an extension cord ran from my barn. At first, I set up my forge in my barn, but a dedicated blacksmith shop is much better. I don't yet have a 2x72 inch belt grinder, a kiln or a power hammer, but it is so much fun to learn to blacksmith and build my own tools as I go. To me, it is a hobby and not a business. I'm retired USAF, and I live in Calhan Colorado. John, if you ever want to retire-retire and sell your place in Beulah and move to sunny Las Vegas, please let me know. Does your wife get upset when you burn your clothes? 🤣

[@cass612t]

I enjoyed this video. It displays a normal work day and standing around between heats is definitely a good part of it. Well done. Least I forget... The "twiddling of thumbs" was a nice touch

[@billy19461]

This reminds me of when I was a kid and we lived in Jasper, Tx(middle to late 50's). I used to go and watch a blacksmith work. He had a coal forge and he would let me turn the crank on the blower as long as I paid attention.

[@danielcrawford7315]

So this was a refreshing change of style video. Im just glad you brought us along for the day. Got to see the subtle details of when you do things in the process and why without being told. Allows one to see the working process in real time, or applied theory in motion is a term. You've taught us much and now we get to see how it works in practice. Thank you. Blessed days sirSir, Crawford out

[@Emycon]

Great video!!! I'm so glad you did'nt edit some cheezy music in to it . The sounds of the fire and hammer's is enough!!!!

[@eliprice138]

You remind me of my Dad . A gentle giant but could also punch a hole through a battle ship if needed!! Lol . Dad wasn’t a blacksmith but a Ex-Marine and a truck driver / bounty hunter/ State constable here in PA , very knowledgeable . Anyway I really enjoy your videos a lot . So thank you

[@randallhackworth421]

I appreciate the videos and will watch them all. It may be a bit more than I am set up for at the moment. Maybe I will work on a miniature version 😅

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

I don't think this would be a popular "regular style" video, but it's still informational for those of us who don't blacksmith regularly (or ever). Sometimes, the well edited videos make it seem that there is nothing but swinging a hammer at a piece of metal, and I think it helps to see that you make use of the time between heats to grab the tool you need next, hydrate (although coffee isn't the BEST for that; but neither is my favorite - Mountain Dew...), and in your case, moving cameras.

[@maxprophet2401]

6:22 That sound does indeed motivate, I was just trying to get over the morning arthritis when I heard that and you were revving up too. Thanks Mr.!

[@davehorrocks1223]

Hey, thanks for sharing man, without an apprenticeship people could not learn this stuff. nice 1 thank you.

[@marcusstarnes8760]

Thanks John for showing the real time things. With no editing makes me feel better when i'm running around in my shop lol. Keep up the great work.

[@triggerfist903]

Forging asmr lol. I like it.

[@jerrystott7780]

I like the realistic view this gave. The "everything coordinated and flying along" videos everyone does are okay for procedure, but could be frustrating to someone without fabricating experience, as they would expect to move along without bumps in the road. Good job. Have a great day.

[@3870TheDad]

John, this was an excellent video! Especially for intermediate blacksmiths as it teaches them economy of movement. You have your shop set up in such a pattern that there are minimal steps between forge and anvil, forge and power hammer/treadle hammer. Thank you for this glimpse into your life as a blacksmith.

[@jeremeywireman629]

I really love watching your videos. You explain everything. You are a great teacher. I wish I lived in Colorado. I would love to apprentice under you

[@tomrut3653]

I like this format, please do more like this. I’m not hear to learn, I just enjoy watching.

[@gregwise5324]

Nothing Wrong With This Video At all, John. I Really Enjoyed It. Reminded Me Of Watching My Grandad In His Blacksmith Shop When I Was A Kid. Thanks !!

[@brianmorrow6355]

John thank you for the realtime demo it's awesome to see a timeline makes me feel better about my "dead" time during heats

[@BlackBearForge]

Frequently I use that time to cut materials for the next job or work multiple pieces so I can forge while the other piece is heating

[@arlenestanton9955]

That close-up camera on the power hammer is beautiful! Keep up the excellent work

[@stanervin6108]

As good as any livestream I've ever seen! 🐾🔥⚒

[@jeffsandling5981]

Caught that little dance to the power hammer rhythm there John! Was hoping you'd break out into a full on jig! Nice to see the real time work flow sometimes, so I don't get discouraged when it takes most of a day on a project. Tend to forget sometimes how much is edited out to make it a 15 min video. Great tip to remember about the hydraulic press, currently building mine. Great video!

[@trollmcclure1884]

mee tooo. He's one of us (lol)

[@hughcupples1279]

Awesome how the saimak make it sound like your in a train station

[@loul7239]

I was go I got for an explanation of what characteristics of the drifts you had were not optimal....and how the new one is proper. Loved seeing you in real time.

[@larrywright7005]

Happy Thanksgiving God bless

[@random40s]

I really liked this video. It showed a very different side of your work. Not just the smithing, but what it takes to set up cameras, and get the shots you are looking for. This was very nice. I hope soon to be doing this sort of things as well, but I'd have a lot less editing as I ONLY use my phone. I have no computer, so I will just have to deal with that limitation. Thank you as always for your great videos, and keep up the excellent work! 👍

[@david48697]

While not advocating this style as a new model for your videos, it was nonetheless a fascinating glimpse into the daily process of smithing. Thank you.

[@cypherian9821]

I like it ! In depth look on how a project really progresses lol up to and including search for tools,coffee and so on lol

[@alwayslearningthankyou2708]

Very good video. Relaxing to watch.

[@hwdllc]

Like the video, it shows the heat times etc Pretty cool Thanks !

[@steelpennyforge5152]

pretty efficient there sir!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Neat project John. I'm looking forward to this one for sure. Great to see a part of a real day with you.

[@thecrookedanvil]

Brilliant, Sir

[@tonielfving6870]

Hello I'm one of those who ask for un editted version of any project and you deliver. Nice, i thank you very much, this is just what i ask for and answers many questions what i got in mind. I have suggestion, edit title something like "Firemans axe part 1 (no heat time cut)" or something, you know better :) but i think you got my point. I mean whit this little edit people find this like video simply searching from youtube. Thank you.

[@robphone4895]

Very nice video gives inside in how things really are going. Loved the power hammer shuffle you did at the begining😉

[@BlackBearForge]

It does have a good beat

[@stevewebb6021]

a nice change of video, good stuff.

[@moretimethanmoney8611]

If we have watched enough of your videos, this is more an intermediate instructional. You didn't include the measuring, centerpunching top/bottom hole locations, tool selection, estimating horn/blade size to determine hole location, and a rough process overview from start to finish. It was enjoyable to watch you work without all the extra. Can you imagine trying to do these videos using film?! Digital imagery has made such a big change along with the internet since we were young...

[@hannemannironworks1651]

I found this video quite interesting watching you your patterns and what you do when your not smithing.

[@BlackBearForge]

If I"m not doing a video I tend to go prepare materials for the next project or some other task away from the forge. It's one of the advantage of not burning materials up in the gas forge.

[@buddyletendre]

Nice change of pace. Nice to see the less “romantic” view of things. Love your normal videos, but this was a nice view of things. Thanks as always.

[@_hillbilly_hillbilly_6540]

A different look from your “normal” videos. Very interesting. Thank you for all you do John.

[@krustysurfer]

Great to see the real timeline here John Pure awesomeness! a few questions for you sir if you would- [1] what is your favorite steel for making hot work tools?(fullers punches Bolsters chisels tongs) we see you using various different steels throughout your videos so we are trying to put together the reasoning (how my brain works) [2] what is your favorite steel for Axe Heads? [3] why are they your favorite steel's? (both questions) and btw... we really like the Superman forge emblem on your new apron! pretty sweet. John Thank You so Much for sharing your time with everyone of us, it is great learning from your wisdom and observations, thank you once again TD

[@krustysurfer]

I ask these silly questions because im a greenhorn and i am just getting ready to build my shop. i have waited 10 years for a garage workshop where i can learn new disciplines and teach my children things that i consider valuable in life. blacksmithing is one of those disciplines. your videos are crucial to my education because i have limited funds and cannot afford to go to college monies wise and time wise because i value my time around my family very very much. i am truly grateful Black Bear Forge. Thank you TD

[@anthonykent7983]

Great video loved it this way of filming! Thanks John.

[@dbryant3500]

Cool video. The new hammer seems incredibly controllable/efficient, have you used the little giant at all since firing up the big boy?

[@rolliekelly6783]

It appears to me, tools requiring alignment along the the axis of the work would be more comfortable and accurate in use if the handles were cast off to the side. Angled like the cheek piece of a long gun stock. Just a thought. I like this format, Rollie

[@BlackBearForge]

With handle in line you naturally get them straight. Once you alter the angle it becomes less intuitive and more prone to error. Plus the inline version allows the piece to be hammered flat to break the punch free without risk of striking the handle.

[@Blazer02LS]

Used to carry a Beil tool myself. There are times a full set of irons just isn't needed...

[@jessewallacesr1722]

Id as like the guys below me ,,we d like to see the hooo damns of day to day blacksmithing. .i know i have a bunch myself

[@irishman2282]

Just came across your channel the other day watched a few of your videos and enjoyed what I'm seeing. Quick question though maybe you have covered it in one of your earlier videos but what are you scooping into the hole when you are punching?

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. That would be coal dust, it helps keep the punch from sticking

[@mattpeterson3394]

Have you ever made a Woodsmans Pal like tool

[@JarlSeamus]

Looks like it was a bit warmer up there. Assuming you shot this on Friday, it was in the 60's here, but now back down to 34 F

[@BlackBearForge]

Shot on Saturday actually, but it has been in the mod 40s.

[@grandadz_forge]

You should have paid subscriptions to a Black Bear Cam. We could creep on you all day.

[@BlackBearForge]

Man would that be embarrassing

[@SamTownsBladesmith]

Would a slightly more tapered punch aid with removal? I have found I don't get much stick with my tapered hammer eye punches

[@BlackBearForge]

This one is tapered but I am sure more taper does help with removal, but it also causes more distortion of the eye. Really, I didn't find this one that difficult to remove. I have seen some that had to be driven out of the hole

[@SamTownsBladesmith]

@@BlackBearForge thanks mate, yeah I've seen the same. I do get a bit of "punch suck" might have to try a new punch!

[@pivers01]

Honestly, I really like this video. It's great to see just how long things take, and how efficient you need to be once you pull your blank out of the forge. I think some commentary as you work might be nice since you have the mic on anyway, and the forge and power hammer doesn't seem to drown everything out. Maybe a live feed someday?

[@BigWillSD]

So making an engine company ax begs the question, when do we get to see a forged Halligan to accompany the axe?

[@timkirkpatrick9155]

In a previous post I challenged the use of pick axe as a name for the tool. I was wrong!

[@trollmcclure1884]

I like it. It's the future of video-industry - interactive reality show with a dozen of remote-zoomable cameras around the place. I think the porn industry is ahead with this. A few notes: 1. the brown noise sound of the forge would put me to sleep. I think I'd turned it off everytime anyway. I'm curious what is the amount and a cost of the gas for an hour in a row? 2. The power hammer would make me dance like you but the whole time. I'd install a cymbal on it to make it a techno music-producing machine btw

[@BlackBearForge]

Since turning the forge off during forging allows for cooling, it actually runs longer for during the heating cycle. My cost for propane is about $1.25 per our of run time

[@trollmcclure1884]

@@BlackBearForge thanks. THat's not too bad. Still turning it down to a half may be good enough but you know better

[@ALLENNEWLIN1979]

So the other day I found a pick axe head to use as drift for hatchets and small hammers... I am a 2 day blacksmith and I wonder if it was a smart move or a dumb move? I found out small cold chisels don’t make great hole punches as I bent the heck out of one yesterday... so I wonder if the pick axe will perform or not...

[@BlackBearForge]

Not knowing what the steel in the axe is it's hard to say for sure.

[@ALLENNEWLIN1979]

I’ve heard you talk about mystery steel many times in your videos. Hopefully it is a hit and not a miss for me because the pick axe bit is shaped perfect for a drift to my knowledge.

[@pressurechangerecord]

Free

[@jesseellis946]

I like that style of videoing. Maybe add some narrating while you forge.

[@philmenzies2477]

@7:31 you relocate the punch to the edge of the previous impression, which I thought was just because you had maybe got the hole started off centre. But then you flip the work and locate on your centre punch mark and drive the eye, but then again @7:53 you relocate the punch to the edge of the previous impression. So it appears to be deliberate. Is there a reason for that?

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats one of the advantages of working under the power hammer vs the press. I can make slight adjustments if the hole isn't perfectly centered.

[@PyroBoy-DC]

I would actually rather enjoy to see a video with no cuts on a small project. Get a real view of how long it takes to heat the forge up and how long you leave the steel in and all that. You could put up anything of you forging and it's gonna end up informative.

[@manga12]

ah yes that was up your ally as a retired firefighter right john, did you carry one of these or more or less a pulaski as the woodland firefighter? though honesty as to how long it takes to make is good so we know what to expect as a toolmaker and ax maker.

[@BlackBearForge]

I actually found a regular flat headed axe to be more useful. I was a city firefighter not wildland.

[@manga12]

Ah I though you did woodland my mistake

[@TheLfd213]

I knew you where a brother fireman just by the way you talked about it. Love it when guys make there own tools to meet there own needs on the day to day job.

[@Redtailedhawk99]

One question are you still using propane in your forge? Or natural gas?

[@BlackBearForge]

propane, we don't have natural gas service

[@MarkATrombley]

Unrelated question - In some videos the camera is focused on the anvil then pans out to show you working. Is that your wife running the camera or do you have some sort of techno-magic working? Today's video included some zooms. Was that your wife or done during editing?

[@BlackBearForge]

Magic. It's actually set up at the wider angle and zoomed in during editing. Once zoomed in I can also move the image on the screen to re center. However there is always some loss of quality when zooming digitally.

[@petar-perangrbic8680]

Moj pozdrav cijenjenom majstoru i mnogo uspjeha u kovačkom poslu ja sam pomagao ujaku u njegovoj kovačkoj radijonici, on je izrađivao burgije za drvo a naručioci su bili, željeznica, elektrodistribucija, pošta i tome slično. Zanima me što je to u toj žutoj posudi iz koje posipate u rupu koju bušite za držalju čekića. Pozdrav i unaprijed hvala za odgovor. Petar.

[@BlackBearForge]

That is coal dust. It is used to help prevent the punch sticking in the hole

[@jessewallacesr1722]

Why do you put the crush coal in the handle hole?

[@BlackBearForge]

it helps keep the punch from sticking

[@davidwatsonii9469]

IT SEEMS YOU ARE MAKIN TWO OF THEM

[@BlackBearForge]

As mentioned at the beginning of the video, one is a test piece to try out the punch before committing to the project.

[@davidwatsonii9469]

MY HEARIN ISNT WHAT IT USED TO BE

[@patrickpitz1879]

I don't really get what you're doing when you drive the drift in and then you hammer the sides a few times, then stop, and repeat. It seems from my perspective like you should just keep drifting the hole, getting the opposite side too or use a bigger drift to fit the handle, and then forge the outside character of the head all at once. Obviously that's not correct, but that's how my brain sees it at the moment with no experience.

[@BlackBearForge]

The steel cools quickly with the drift in place. so the drift needs to come out, hammer the sides of the material will help loosen the drift. Drifting is also best accomplished by driving the drift until it is tight then working the outer surface to draw it out as opposed to simply trying to stretching the hole. Once the hole is large enough then the drift is used to provide the final shape of the hole.

[@patrickpitz1879]

@@BlackBearForge Ah ok thanks for the explanation.

[@listentodave]

What brand anvil do you have there?

[@BlackBearForge]

Hay Budden

[@judithburdine8263]

Are there any lady's that do blacksmithing?

[@BlackBearForge]

Lots, here are just a few kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV63np2EdrOZmZY kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIS7q5yKncirebc kzbin.info/www/bejne/gITImnSilp2qpdU kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ6smHioabSVeqs kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWKvhmR4ma6Cgc0

[@WildBoreWoodWind]

John, your idling power hammer reminded me of the cartoon lol - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpTGmHabi9RgasU

[@BlackBearForge]

😂😂👍

[@petepeterson4540]

hush and get to work swing that Iron

[@mokshahereicome]

Weirdest ASMR video I've ever seen

[@Texno_Login]

Судя как дед любит тараторить он ничо другого не умеет... Кадры с переодеваниями и настройкой аппаратуры нахер кому нужны. А где результат???видимо,так и не наколупал ничего путного.диз и отписка

[@BlackBearForge]

I guess you just have to watch the video and pay attention to see the results. Part 2 will show the next step and further results. Please clean up your language or refrain from future comments