Forging a Rush Light

Forging a rush light is essentially forging a pair of tongs that are then mounted to a base. The tongs are then used to hold a rush that has been soaked in grease, which is then burned to produce light. the addition of a candle holder provides weight to help secure the rush as well as a second light source.
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My name is John Switzer, I operate Black Bear Forge, 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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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.

[@rayarthur1100]

Never heard of a rush light before. Learned more than I expected this week.

[@jonas2431]

Same

[@HawkHolder]

John, I've been watching your videos for a while now. As a beginner, you have been a great inspiration and resource. Keep it up!

[@HawkHolder]

Oh, and if you happen to see this comment, could you do a video on tool care?

[@mtyson9004]

Awesome John! Thanks and God Bless you sir!

[@markmcmeen287]

Really nice combination of a history lesson and a blacksmithing lesson. Thank you, John, for your creative approach to inspire us!

[@garybower1824]

Glad to hear Combat Abrasives is sponsoring you. I have been using their products for some time now and have been very happy with their products and services.

[@alwaysbearded1]

I enjoy your educational, historic, blacksmithing demonstration videos. Checks a lot of my boxes.

[@curtisatnoblepursuitironwo5979]

Nice . I love combat abrasives.

[@TexanGent12]

Glad to hear about the Combat Abrasives sponsorship! I think they sponsor all of my favorite channels at this point. Hope that eases some of the pressure on you for videos vs production

[@EXARCWithGrandpop]

Hey John, I just wanted to let you know that forged for the 1st time today. I made (8) nails. Four OK ones and Four complete Fails. But I guess everyone has to start some where. Thanks for the inspiration. I am looking forward to your next video and getting back to the forge.

[@BlackBearForge]

That is awesome!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

That is a new project in contact. Definitely new to me

[@VRplay86]

I like that you glued a candle to the back of the rush light stick

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

A “Rush Light” = Is a flaming lighter held up in a darkened concert hall in remembrance of Neil Peart (R.I.P.)

[@msghazi]

You win sir.

[@charleszimmermann7784]

I like the improvised rush at the end, with the candle adhered to the stick. Thanks John, I thank you for all the inspiration and education into Blacksmithing, I think your site more than any others really made me a better more proficient smith. Forcing myself to do the hook of the week, and trying different techniques really built my confidence, forcing myself to match your creation and achieving it, changed me from putzing around my anvil to making the metal work for me....well work for me more 😁 Thank you John!

[@farmingclouds]

Really surprised me with revealing what was to go on the three-legged stand, I love this! Bonus aesthetic points for having a pair of tongs decorate your dinner table.

[@jeremiahjohnson1325]

John good deal what a rush thanks

[@josiahpeters4717]

I'm reading a book right now based in medieval England and the author mentions rush lights in the story. I had no idea what they were and had no intention of looking it up until I stumbled on this video! Very cool!

[@marcerivest6204]

I have never seen or heard of a rush light. I turned out pretty good,and thanks for sharing this with us.

[@jjppres]

Pretty cool John. Of all the old lamps and lights I've seen over the years I never saw one of these before. Really came out nice! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@nategunn2830]

Nice work! Thanks for the history lesson.

[@barthooghwerff1682]

Hi John, I just wanted to say thank you for always making amazing videos!

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Forerunner of the table lamp. Cool project John. !👍

[@soundmindtv2911]

Beautiful piece! Thank you for such detailed explanation.

[@jamessimmons3687]

Another top video! I love that you present these videos at just the right level for a beginner hobby smith, thank you, keep making them!

[@BerserkerGang2019]

This is a kienspahn halter in german. I'm planning to make one for a historical reproduction for our small towns museum. Really nice:)

[@michaelciuca7942]

Enjoyed the video. Great job as usual.

[@jeffgrier8488]

I really like how you incorporated a candle holder into this piece, nice work John!

[@DavidKirwanirl]

Never heard of a rush light lol. Now I want to make one too!

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Quiet unique. Look cool people back in history were quiet creative. Congrats for new sponsor combat Abrasives👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@danbreyfogle8486]

First I have heard of these, great project.

[@robertwhitney2232]

Very interesting project, I think that will be on my list to do one day. Interesting history. Glad to see the use of the Little Giant, hope to get mine up and running this winter. Thanks John. 👍

[@bc65925]

Very nice indeed, I always enjoy a the function of a rush lamp like this when I have them completed.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Well done nice project, I have never seen one.

[@jeanpomerleau8416]

love the full length blacksmith video's YOU make.

[@sunqwest1]

Thank you John.

[@GodschildinNC]

Check with Towsend, they may have rushes.

[@johnvradenburg6477]

never heard of a rush light before until now, looks neat now I want one lol

[@thedixonway]

Great video John. I really enjoyed watching this project take shape. Thanks so much for all that you share with us. Congratulations on the new sponsor. It is very well deserved. Take care.

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@riAN1337]

i must say: you are a huge inspiration! i'm thinking about training in blacksmithing here in germany, there are not many left, but i'd like work in historic preservation one time. keep up the good work!

[@magnusbergroth5319]

Another great video! Thanks so much 👍

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great job John, pretty crafty back along time ago weren’t they? Thanks for sharing with us,really like your channel and all you share with everyone.👍👍👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@russkopecky415]

Really cool project

[@mergrew0110]

This would have been treasured years ago, now, a real nice curiosity.

[@hiroprotagonist1587]

Hell, even today if this was on etsy or similar some hipster would pay $$$.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very interesting video. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend forge on love seeing your videos. Can't wait to see ur next video John.

[@redlionforge9173]

Beautiful work John!

[@robertcutburth3745]

Great video John, I didn't know there was such a thing, you always keep it interesting, Thanks

[@stricklandsahib]

Common field rushes were used, the outer green skin was peeled off lengthways leaving a thin strip to hold it together. They were just then dipped in the fat left over from cooking.It takes a bit of practise to peel the rushes which can be 2 to 3 feet long but easy enough once one has the knack.

[@flytrapjohn]

Give Townsends a look for rushes (and other things). Their forge bellows are amazing.

[@BlackBearForge]

good suggestion

[@iancrump4369]

Great video John enjoy your work 😎👌

[@shortfuse43]

Nice work on the rush light. In today's terminology, that would be called a "dual fuel" light, LOL

[@adamjackson4064]

My guess was way off! Thanks for sharing this. The old ways need to be remembered.

[@tkjazzer]

Liked your hammer strike exclamation and improved cinematography

[@shahriariran44]

Excellent.

[@ugo7295]

I agree John, I am sure they used a propane torch to light them. 😄😄 Gread video with a wonderful touch of history. Keep them coming. Thank you.

[@BCM1959]

Well done, at least in my opinion it is. I like it.

[@phredd6070]

LOL when you got to the point of adjusting at the end My wife commented "FidilyBits" I didn't even know she was behind me watching.

[@JustinSeiffert]

Nice i like the candle taped to the stick at the end

[@BlackBearForge]

It didn't work as well as I had hoped

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello John This candelholder is very interesting I like the shape and the funktion is very unice Thanks for sharing this idea Have a good week and stay save Yours Frank

[@douglasfathers4848]

WOW I fort you were making a camera stand , never herd of a rush light before. But John I seem to learn something new every time I watch your videos. And those little imperfections just add to the car.erector of the piece . (:

[@mikemcguire8351]

Nice work. I do believe you're a hand.

[@jaxom8062]

would make a good incense burner with a bonus candle holder as well. for those of use who don't use or have rushes to burn

[@johncatt1867]

Cattails stalk's make a good wick, they may be hard to find this time of year.

[@thomasarussellsr]

I'm guessing they could make their own rush sticks from gathered supplies and the fats from their cooking. Candles would have likely been an expensive item in many times throughout history. So, the rush would definitely have been a much more economical choice. The candle would likely have been for emergency or special occasions only, or for on the rare occasion when the inlaws came to visit, if they were from a more well to do family. Or a visit from an important person. Depending on the diet your place in the world allowed, the oils or greases used for the rush may have had an unpleasant odor to a visitor.

[@kevinbyrd6482]

You can also use it to hold incense instead of the rush.

[@hannemannironworks1651]

John if you dry out some long grass and soak it in the fat left over from ground beef they work great again not the best light but it’s a good rush light thanks for sharing

[@thomasarussellsr]

Sheep and goats would have been more common animal meats and fat sources than beef in those times. The occasional wild hog.

[@thomasmathews3904]

Very cool peace.

[@NomNom1970]

I imagine a dried cattail would work and it might be the rush they would have used. Waxed with bees wax and a cedar oil maybe.

[@stuffbywoody5497]

Have seen images of rush lights but never realised they were a purpose made item. I always thought they were just an old pair of modified tongs. I learnt something today 🤓

[@knutzzl]

In making the cup for the candle i start with the square stock at 45° then its wider to start with

[@rom15051980]

request to the master and teacher: show us how to make a simpler souvenir for the new year-a bull. thank you in advance!

[@carriestearns7665]

Sweet

[@williamwoehl3672]

Nice, like a light stand for a blacksmith, kinda curious as to why they held it with jaws instead of a hole and tray similar to incense burners.

[@stormyeffects4795]

I don’t have the time to watch yet, but I had to come say hi. Have a good day everyone!

[@reigninoel]

Something that just occurred to me when you brought up the Little Giant; it would be interesting if you did a video on the pros and cons of that and the Say-Mak, and for which jobs you choose one over the other. I assume the LG's light rapid blows are more controllable for drawing out thinner pieces, like tong reins?

[@markmoreno7295]

Fantastic! Way better than a regular candle holder. Of course there was that miner's light. Oh and BTW the top rivet set was courtesy of Ken's Custom Iron correct?

[@BlackBearForge]

Both the top and bottom set were from kens

[@pjamestx]

Very nice project! Paging @Townsends, I recall seeing a rush light on your channel, any recollection on making/acquiring the rush part?

[@cojones8518]

Pretty much any woody plant with a pithy center can be used as a rush light. Cat tails (Typha) would be a good substitute.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks for the tip!

[@Fromard]

I felt sure this would be a link to "Limelight or Love Light."

[@Mujaki]

Might not have easy access to rushes, but I suppose incense sticks are readily available? In either case, one might have to worry about hot ashes falling off the item being burned. The stand itself won't suffer, but anything underneath/nearby might be of concern.

[@michaeldelvecchio41]

I have been enjoying your videos so far. I kind of stumbled upon them while scrolling. I got to wondering if rebar would be suitable for forging material and if so, is it suitable for making tools?

[@BlackBearForge]

rebar comes in many different alloys. All of them harder to forge than mild steel. Some rebar makes OK tools once you figure out the proper heat treatment for that particular type. In the long run I don't find it worth the bother since new material is very affordable.

[@rumplefourskin6775]

You can use any household fat or greasy. Even bacon fat works.

[@clarklindquist8137]

What about soaked oil lamp wicks. Soaked in wax. Would act like a big candle. Worth an experiment or two

[@rch317]

Now I know what to do with those junk tongs I made on my first pass. LOL

[@SantisValiant]

I'm so early that it's scary.

[@BlackBearForge]

😱😂

[@snakeslayer2610]

Dang I don’t think I e ever been this early

[@grandmajosephine383]

John, now that it's getting cold, my 20lb propane tank freezes when it gets low. Would it be helpful and more importantly safe, to wrap it in an electric blanket?

[@BlackBearForge]

The best thing is to go to a much larger tank or manifold two smaller tanks together. Some people set the tank in a tub of water to help keep it a bit warmer

[@joenugent8235]

Yo bro!!!

[@paulorchard7960]

Try beeswax John, my guess thats what was used!

[@BlackBearForge]

Bees wax would probably have made candles. Even then they were a luxury and tallow candles were more common at the time

[@demastust.2277]

So. how cold are all the metal tools and pieces of steel? Does the cold from every poor conducting piece of material sting your hands, or do you sort of pre heat everything to become a comfortable temperature? Also, why didn't you forge one of the extra bits of steel near the reins into the rivet for the jaws? I know you've got plenty of rivets to use, but ehh...

[@mandolinman2006]

I was able to find a couple links. There were larger lights. So yours isn't entirely unrealistic for something they would've had. From what I have seen, you just want to avoid the fat from salted meat. www.victorianweb.org/technology/domestic/1.html www.colonialsense.com/How-To_Guides/Interior/Rush_Lighting.php

[@thomasarussellsr]

Great articles, thanks for sharing.

[@Nittygrittyguy]

Question ? Where is the video of the coal disscution ? Ive been looking for it for a week pr so ? I can't seem to find it ! And thank you again !

[@BlackBearForge]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2e0lHmcjtyNgqM

[@Nittygrittyguy]

You have the one explaining coal btu's and the difference in sizes that one I was looking for ,and thanks again for your help !

[@kyranevans1890]

Awesome video man I’ve been learning so much from your channel, now I was wondering if anyone could help me out, I’m using an ibeam as an anvil, and I’m making some decent stuff but want some kind of anvil, but due to still being in school I’m short on cash and was wondering how well a 44 pound anvil with a horn and square tool slow would do.

[@BlackBearForge]

As long as it isn't a cheap cast iron anvil, cast steel is fine. Solidly mounting makes a big improvment

[@kyranevans1890]

@@BlackBearForge thanks man, it says it’s c45 steel

[@Jason-jd1jv]

It's ironic that you chose to do a rush light. I've been looking at them the last few days to make some myself. My problem with this is my anvil is a 100lb give or take Hay Budden with no edges sharp enough to isolate the various parts of the tongs. In fact I would guess the sharpest edges I have on my anvil are on the horn lol. It's not worth taking the risk to repair it so I'll have to find other means to do it. I have some railroad track iron of various lengths that I got from some friends at the railroad but I'm not entirely sure which one I want to sacrifice for this. Any ideas on how to make something from railroad track to give me edges that I can work with?

[@robertwhitney2232]

You could use the bottom side of your track for the your sharp edges and you don't have to cut up your track at this time.

[@Jason-jd1jv]

@@robertwhitney2232 That was my thought. Most of the track I have is only an inch or two wide, cut offs from testing and welding the track. They throw the pieces over our fence to me, which I appreciate to no end. The longest piece is about 30" or so and when I build my shop it will be mounted on end for just such a purpose. For now, it'll have to wait though. Thanks for the reply.

[@BlackBearForge]

Making a simple block with a good edge for the hardy hole should solve the problem.

[@jonasandersson7367]

I counted about 330 hammer blows before the power hammer came to play, my guess is a pair of tongs with rivet included is about 1000 hammer blows🤔 on an anvil about that size with that hammer, can you measure one of the facets of blacksmith skill in blows per item?

[@demastust.2277]

No.

[@jonasandersson7367]

@@demastust.2277 Care to elaborate?

[@demastust.2277]

@@jonasandersson7367 If you've ever struck hot steel, you'd notice there isn't a real point to counting how many times your hammer connects with the metal. The amount of blows does not at all matter to the process, it's really intention of each blow, weight of the hammer, energy the smith has, etc. Besides, counting how many times you'd swing a hammer is silly. That'd be like counting how many letters you type out on the computer. It's a bit redundant.

[@jonasandersson7367]

@@demastust.2277 Well i have struck steel and uhm ive noticed it takes me less and less blows to make the same item (in practice making leafs) not to mention fewer heats although thats not much. Counting words in an essay for instance is done, and smiths on youtube frequently take time challenges is what im getting at...perhaps it is best to count blows for the individual not between individuals?

[@demastust.2277]

@@jonasandersson7367 That makes sense. The the only reason it takes less and less blows for you to make the same item over and over again is the fact you've gotten the hang of it and you are instinctually repeating the more efficient strike. It means you're greatly getting the hang of it.

[@michaelhayes1678]

Are the files combat abrasives too?

[@BlackBearForge]

I'm not sure if the sell files, but it would be worth a look

[@beserkergang]

What do you use for chimney pipe? I keep seeing everyone using this type of pipe and I can't find what it is.

[@BlackBearForge]

The connection in the shop from hood to chimney is spiral vent pipe. From the ceiling out it is insulated wood stove chimney, expensive but safe and would keep the inspectors happy if they show up.

[@erikcourtney1834]

Go to your local heating and air supply store or contact your hvac tech. It’s the same pipe they use in industrial systems. It’s Not the same pipe as they use in your house(if it’s not square duct). That’s snaplock pipe and very thin. I use to install and fabricate duct work is how I know.

[@beserkergang]

Ah, thank you both for the information!

[@thomasarussellsr]

If you have a "Tractor Supply Company" store or farm store around, those are good places to check too.

[@beserkergang]

@@thomasarussellsr I will check them out. Thank you!

[@farmerboy916]

Just soak your rush substitute in crisco or some leftover cooking fat.

[@le_marchombre]

Is it snow, outdoor ?

[@BlackBearForge]

Snow on the ground but not falling

[@le_marchombre]

@@BlackBearForge Okay ! 😄

[@fedderback1]

Get some fat wood for a rush