Forging a Giant Leaf - Blacksmithing

I need to make a number of plant themed forgings for an upcoming project idea. Todays large forged leaf will be the first of those ornamental elements
Black Bear Forge is a small one person blacksmith shop located in southern Colorado. My current focus is shifting away from commissions and customer orders and towards education through these videos on KZbin. Thank you for watching
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Black Bear Forge
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Beulah, CO 81023
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John Switzer
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Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhamme...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresf...
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New anvils -
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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.

[@gavsgav90]

Love your work! I really wish you was my Grandpa 😂

[@JF-fx2qv]

Leaf of the week? Well, once a student of forestry ... I'd say its a leaf. It reminds me of a water species. Nice to see the Ye Ole Forge up and burning. Many good camera angles

[@clintonm2357]

I think I’m going to try fluting a leaf stem. I really like the way that turned out and was armoring before blacksmithing so I think that technique could work too!

[@listentodave]

John, your camera work zoomed in on those pieces at the anvil is exceptional!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@frankobrienmd1503]

Love the supersized leaf

[@dwayneburbridge3283]

Great project! If my wife sees this video, I will be making leaves for the next year!

[@hannemannironworks1651]

That’s a big ol leaf!

[@fauseth]

Thank you for the hook idea at the end!

[@lifeofaking996]

Let’s see some power hammer. But I do love your teaching and the way you go about it

[@BlackBearForge]

I am sure there will be more power hammer

[@grandadz_forge]

I'm already loving where this is going. Yep, this is gonna be one of those playlists I'll keep rewatching.

[@marty01957]

Great video , John!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brysonalden5414]

And now, three years later, I'm grateful this video is still up, as I now need to make some big leaves, and needed to be reminded of some of your techniques. I was going to try to forge out 1" round stock, but this is much faster and easier! Thanks, as always.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hightowerone]

We all secretly hate you. Well done once again! Inspiring.

[@MrJimmunn]

John, I love the atmosphere of the coal forge, I can almost smell that sweet smell. While the hook of the week was fabulous content, I can already tell I’m going to enjoy this “new chapter”. I love the ornamental/architectural work and was excited when you stated you’d like to do more of it. Can’t wait to see the ensuing episodes and what these elements will evolve into. Keep it up!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

That looks just like a leaf from a rubber tree! Nice work on getting the center spine down the middle.👍

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@davedoessomestuff8176]

Thank you for being my constant (and consistent) friend while I'm out at the forge

[@clydebalcom8252]

Aw...Well, I guess the hook of the week has had an awesome run.

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Beautiful leaf made. 👍👍👍👍

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you so much 😊

[@robertrobert7924]

Very nice leaf. I would be so tempted to make a leaf shaped spear head.

[@thedarwinexperience5312]

Thank you for the Sunday relaxing while having coffee

[@BlackBearForge]

You are so welcome!

[@Blacksmith.from.Lorien]

Спасибо большое за науку, Мастер!

[@lenblacksmith8559]

Nice John

[@original5065]

Hi John, new subscriber here. Excited to follow this project. The life you put into that leaf is very pleasing.

[@BlackBearForge]

Welcome aboard!

[@glitched4070]

Brilliant video 👍👍👍

[@tobyjo57]

Nice Leaf John. I've been thinking how to create the vein along the centre and was going to try and made a hardy with a central half round groove but you teach us the simple way of folding it. Looking forward to the new series ( if it is a series ) and more great educational videos from you. You always say you hope to Inspire us newby's out here and yes Sir that's exactly what you do. Thank You

[@BlackBearForge]

Matching top and bottom tools are a very common way to create a raised vein.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Great looking leaf, John. I like it.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@mikes1345]

Your ideas from your scrap bucket are amazing. I watch several persons who turn scrap items into useful or ornamental items and yours rate with the best. Thank you.

[@Jason-jd1jv]

You should make a contest out of this. No prize necessary or anything, just see if anyone can guess what this will become a part of. This is a great example of making things that aren't knives. I feel like most of the "blacksmiths" on KZbin are one trick ponies that only make pattern welded steel knives. I've always been interested in blacksmithing and I started watching videos years ago to try and learn but it seems that 99% of the content these days is making pattern welded steel or making knives out of pattern welded steel. Watching you make such fantastic items that aren't knives using single steels is far more fascinating. Anybody can wow people with damascus, but to wow people with simple steel requires a skill and a vision that the 99% just don't have. My hat is off to you sir. You are truly an artist of the highest caliber and I think if people could only learn a portion of what you have to teach the market wouldn't be saturated with overpriced cookie cutter knives that all look alike. Keep up the great work my friend. I love your videos.

[@timwambeke9938]

Very informative and great leaf!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you liked it!

[@danmilburn6597]

Thanks John, I look forward to your Sunday morning videos

[@boomerbigbutt]

John, you must have been a teacher, this life or past. Your videos are very detailed and clear. Thank you for keeping me going

[@paulbilodeau9882]

John, This was a VERY NICE project instead of Hook of the Week. I'll bet the BIG project that this will be part of will be impressive. Can't wait to find out.

[@rickkirkham8701]

Greeting from the Philippines lockdown. Essential youtube viewing are recipes, travel, bread making and BLACK BEAR FORGE. Great job John ! 😄

[@marcerivest6204]

Excellent video John, lots of content, always interesting and l look forward to seeing your video.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@robertwhitney2232]

Thanks John, I was really pleased to see you make a folded leaf, that is the way I was shown to make my first leafs several years ago, no chisels required. Yes, it takes a little extra care to make a good leaf, after you make a dozen or so there quite easy to make.

[@WildHuntKnives]

Ive binged hours and hours of your videos during this whole COVID business. Thank you for keeping my sanity intact. And in all seriousness. I could fall asleep to the calm soothing tone of your voice.

[@PaulFontaniniArtist]

Great stuff John.

[@justmakeit2616]

Nice one. Going to try to make one

[@3870TheDad]

John, your decorative work is amazing. Love it.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you very much!

[@TufStockdogs]

Hey buddy so nice I got my new glasses today thank you for the sharing of the leaf things are really looking very clear thank you buddy for all you sharing. Thank from central Oregon

[@BlackBearForge]

New glasses are something I must do soon. I am currently wearing an old pair after breaking the temple piece on the newer ones (but still due for an update) pair.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

That’s a good looking leaf John. I don’t care what you make, it’s always interesting to see how you form anything. Thanks so much for sharing your passions with iron and fire ! Fred.

[@BlackBearForge]

You bet

[@JackPinesBlacksmithing]

Even during the forging, that leaf emerged organically. Beautiful!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you very much!

[@TheIdeanator]

Awww yiss! Ornamental design element of the week!

[@OuroborosArmory]

I loved when you made the gate/window.. likening this one as well

[@fieroboom]

Thinning like that really makes you appreciate the time & skill that went into creating Roman armor. And this doesn't even include working a bloom down to usable metal, so it really makes sense why only the higher status soldiers had metal armor while the lower status soldiers still had toughened leather. Excellent job, as always!!

[@1averageamerican]

Going to be fun to see this project come together. A plant themed yard decoration maybe? A fancy pants gazebo? Whatever it's going to be, thanks for sharing.

[@steelpennyforge5152]

Looking forward to the announcement of the project! The leaf turned out awesome!

[@stanervin6108]

Very nice leaf John! 🌱🌴🌵☘🌿🐾🔥⚒

[@pwaterdu]

Combination of Popeye and Brutus hammer in hand..spinach in forge on low..haha.. cool leaf love the bronze tone.. can imagine many uses..cant wait for more and very well done!

[@criswilson1140]

I love that vein. Time to go practice. Thank you!

[@brysonalden5414]

Your folding technique to form the central vein looks much more organic than if you'd done it on a swedge block, which I usually do; thanks for the continued instruction!

[@Jennifer-zb4gc]

Very nice leaf John 😊 thanks for sharing your knowledge again

[@petermarsh4993]

Dear John, thank you so much for sharing your work producing a Philodendron leaf. It is simply superb. I’ve a great idea for a collaborative project. Get a tall wooden verandah pole and insert several short metal pipes, say 400mm at the base and down to 200mm at the top. Now make your work with twisted, scrambling metal with leaves, flowers and even some fruit. Add some critters {birds, lizards and insects} and you’d have a magnificent piece of nature. Cheers.

[@jeremiahjohnson1325]

Great job John. Love to see the coal forge fired up. Got my shop up and running. I've fired up a made a few hooks kinda crude but a hook .thanks for bringing me happiness.

[@dadegroot]

The folded vein really sets this apart from the chiseled leaves commonly seen.

[@georgecuyler7563]

Old school forged Bowie knife, not Damascus, nor stock removed. My late Dad said you bend your material into a banana shape and then forge in the bevels. I found a video once on it but my phone died and I haven't been able to find the video again. I was maybe two minutes in and the material was just getting up to temperature 🌡️

[@markmcmeen287]

Thanks, John. As always, great step by step instruction. Also, thank you for the insight into the preparation and planning for a larger project. One thing that has struck me throughout my time blacksmithing is the planning that is required to execute a completed project. Keep up the great work.

[@awesomecreationschannel]

Lovely work John 👍

[@georgecuyler7563]

I was watching you make this beautiful leaf and I thought, what about eagle feathers and make a fan like you see in POW WOWS and West Coast drum groups.

[@BarrRunForge]

Great projects, as always, John! You are definitely a major influence in my blacksmithing. I hope to create projects and content that honor the kind of work you consistently produce. -Troy

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you're enjoying it.

[@mtyson9004]

Very nice John! Thanks for all you do and bringing us along! God Bless you sir!

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello John Thank you for your Video I have learned in this 25 Minutes more than in a blacksmith Class here at my home town Thank you very much for sharing your skill with me You are a great teacher ☝️👍 I smiled a bit if you said if you want a hook you can Scroll it here around and out there a screwhole an ready is the hook John you are a joyfull man All the best stay healthy Greetings Frank

[@alant391]

John. Thank you for using the coal furnace. Most of the locals here use coal. I’m from the western slope so I identify with coal. C seam coal is the best imo. Also like how you make everything look easy. A mark of the true craftsman

[@danbreyfogle8486]

Great looking project, I will be waiting for more elements. Who needs hook of the week when you can have something as nice as this?

[@stuartmcintosh5709]

John, I used to do photography years ago, the anvil shot came out very nice 👍, it’s also nice to see your skills on other things for a change, where you are your more isolated than some, hope you and your family keep well and safe. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@BlackBearForge]

We are able to do a pretty good job of staying to ourselves.

[@TufStockdogs]

This is very awesome and thank you for sharing and that we can do at the anvil

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

A Very Lovely Leaf Indeed! Thank You Kindly! Blessings your Way! DaveyJO in Pa.

[@TheOldaz1]

A bit mre interesting than the "usual" run of leaves. Thanks John.

[@trentszeponski3456]

That leave makes a valuable spade with a handle attached to it. I often wondered the point in taking the time to forge something that will not be valuable for working the land. Worry is not work. Careful planning and executing said plan is work.

[@stanervin6108]

Thank you, John. I had totally forgotten that veining technique

[@BlackBearForge]

Happy to help!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

That came out great! I really like that leaf

[@douglasfathers4848]

Project of the week sounds good John , best looking leaf yet ,liked the way you forged the center vein looks good.

[@Zogg1281]

I really liked this tutorial on leaf making, it has so much information and the camera angles are really helpful. At 8:30 you have a close up shot that makes it really easy to see where the hammer is hitting as you can see the dent in the steel as each blow hits. It a lot better then having a wider angle with just a white mass sitting on the anvil thats just to hot for the camera to pick up properly. Thank you for this video, John, I think it's got to be one of my favourite leaf forging video's! 👍

[@derrickloughlin2820]

Keep it coming! I love your videos! I'm just getting started and really love this stuff. I used to do some early blacksmithing about 8 years ago, and have been wanting to get back into it after the military!

[@jeffgrier8488]

I really like the way that hook turned out, and I am already curious to see how it gets incorporated into a project!

[@alexandretillmann7495]

👏👏👏

[@terryholl3819]

Thanks John...will be watching to see what the final product is..I would suggest as usual it will be something interesting/unusual and something that will expand our knowledge of smithing. Stay safe .

[@joelsims4396]

Beautiful work as always. Im excited to see what this project will become

[@ga5743]

Such a fitting project this week, my real leaves popped out this week and they are beautiful. Thanks John, eager to see where this project will end up. Be well.

[@Redneckemtb]

Love watching your work John, if hook of the week is to be no more might I suggest Scrap Bucket Sundays. Keep up the good work.

[@beni2094]

Thanks John!

[@christiankaiser444]

😀👍nice

[@danielcrawford7315]

Very interesting process to watch. Kuul.how much it will stretch out. Thank you for sharing valuable information on fire and steel control 🙏 blessed days sirSir Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

[@clarklindquist8137]

Awesome video.... My mind was thinking that this design would make for a really cool gardening trowel. If ya also did a cool garden set, that would be amazing

[@jackshadow325]

Nice work.

[@albertoguerreiro006]

another simple but bad ass Project !! big respect for you and your chanell , i am portuguese and i made a coal forge from scrap , and work's ok , with refractive argamass but i offer to my friend who work's a lot only by hand , no eletric machines , no welds , only tecniques of construction and rivets made by hand but i bought one rivets forge for 140 €uros and i put a eletric blower and i am learning and i need to take some lessons for learns some things who alone takes a lot of time , nice work and thank's for sharing !!stay safe #covid19sucks #projetosecriacoes

[@BlackBearForge]

Enjoy the journey, glad you're enjoying the videos

[@bobvines00]

John, before you textured/curled this leaf, I thought you were making a Magnolia leaf. I'm really looking forward to this "series" of videos. I want to start making some ornamental items in my shop. I really enjoy how you explain your thoughts and how original designs change as you go.

[@BlackBearForge]

If thats what I had set out to make, it probably wouldn't have looked anything like it

[@Strive1974]

Sucks living in the burbs.....trying to set my shed up to forge. Hope I don't burn down the block

[@20mcarroll02]

John, just as you were cutting it off, I got to thinking, that would make a nice large arrowhead finial for a door hinge. Kinda what I've been working on as time allows for my cabin build. Had minor success, but looks much better in the stock you started with. Thanks.

[@MrDukaman]

I always have a problem welding round bar. It seems I have to square it up first. Then weld it and then draw it out and round it again. ....Paul.

[@BlackBearForge]

My scarf generally ends up square so I am doing the weld in square section then transition back to round

[@davidhillman7004]

Will miss hook of the week

[@anthonygreyling5550]

Hi John, love your channel, I've learned quite a bit. I was wondering if you could share the dimensions of the inside of your gas forge? I'm planning on building one, and would like the burn chamber to be close to the one you have. It looks just about right for most of the work I'll be doing with it. Thanks for a cool channel. Anthony (South Africa)

[@BlackBearForge]

All of the information on that forge is available here chileforge.com/forges_jalapeno_details.html

[@tacticalrabbit308]

At first it also looked like a spear point

[@CarlosLopez-hi3pk]

🤟👍

[@tfunaro]

John, recently subscribed and appreciate all of the knowledge you're passing on! I only recently started (I've fired my coal forge three times so far...) and I'm wondering what weight hammer you 'typically' work with - and if there is a beginner weight you recommend? Based on the how sore my forearm is...I'm guessing that a 4 lb hammer hasn't been the right way to go (it was the lightest hammer that came with the package of old tools I purchased).

[@BlackBearForge]

I use a 2 1/2 - 3 pound hammer most of the time. As a beginner I would try 2 - 2 1/2 pounds at first. If you have lots of time with other hammers its easier. But if any form of hammer work is new to you it is easy to injure yourself with to large a hammer.

[@terrycarwile6499]

Great job, really nice work! Where do you get your coal? The stuff I use from local mines makes great big chunky clinkers. Thanks!

[@BlackBearForge]

I have coal from several sources. But with all of the local mines closed, I have to have it shipped from back east, which is quite expensive.

[@waskasoometalworks3329]

good day sir! have you happened to work any more on your bloom iron?

[@BlackBearForge]

Not yet

[@jimc4731]

What is your philosophy on "brushing"? I see in some demonstration videos the smith brushes very often and with yours there is infrequent brushing? Can you expand on this? Thanks, JIM

[@BlackBearForge]

While roughing out large pieces there is little need to worry about scale. As you near the end on pieces that need a better finish brushing becomes more important. Working lightly down into a black heat also removes scale and leaves a better finish without the need to brush.

[@obh7762]

Do you have any tips for lighting the first fire in a new coal forge, especially with anthracite coal? Also, I really like when you use the coal forge rather than propane forge in videos.

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

Try a small bed of charcoal in the center over turyre then surrounded by anthricite. Light charcoal and get it going and cover e anthricite and give it some beans n blow lots of air. Oughta light up faster than not

[@BlackBearForge]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3-1f42Kqt2sfbc

[@obh7762]

@@BlackBearForge Thanks.

[@joemcgillivray9322]

What size cross peen hammer. Are you using?