Forging large spike nails or Journey Nails

[@adamwright4969]

I want to say thank you for this video, I was asked to forge 3 large nails 7 inches long and 3 small nails 3 inches long for a guy at work, his church will use them this Sunday in a play about the crucifixion of Jesus. I couldn't have done it without you're video and God holding my hand.

[@lo5042mh]

Some research; "nail trees" were common throughout southeastern Europe in the middle ages. It is thought that the practice of sacrificing what would have at the time a fairly valuable item, nails, was done as an act of thanks or in hopes of good luck or good health. But also traveling blacksmiths in that time left nails in a tree as a sort of sign, like: "i was here...". And i found this: There is an old tradition among journeyman blacksmiths. They traveled from master to master, learning and spreading knowledge about forging. When they left a forge that they liked, they would make a nail and hammer it into a beam. Thus was born the “nail tree,” a place in each smithy where different nails from journeymen were stuck. If you arrived at a smithy where there were many nails, of good quality, it was a sign that this was a good master to learn from. If there were not many, or of poor workmanship, then maybe the journeyman would move on quickly.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you very much for the research. This makes it all much more clear.

[@shmaplina]

Can you provide some details on where you found the info on the journeymen blacksmiths leaving nail tokens. I'd love to learn more about it.

[@darinvoight68]

@@shmaplina Here's a pretty famous example of a "nail tree". www.amusingplanet.com/2017/07/stock-im-eisen-viennas-nail-tree.html

[@longhorn7809]

Good spirits come from your shop Every blow every word

[@johnjude2685]

After seeing another nail header.,Then reviewing your build, Well now I'm welding a handle such as yourself. Great video once again thanks John Switzer teaching is what you do best Sir.

[@dannygill8519]

Great two part video John, it got my head gears turning. Thanks for sharing 🙂👍

[@emanuelegiocondo3129]

amazing job! great ^_^ large forged nails remember me always roman crucifixion...

[@xxxclampgodxxx5511]

Another good idea John. Trade nails. You surprise us with every video. Thx again ....Paul..

[@charleschucksavagejr5953]

I think the leaf nail would be a great place to hang a hat.

[@5x535]

Several very nice nails there John. Great idea. You have "sparked my imagination" more times than you would believe, sir. Thanks for another great video and idea.

[@arnaudhurel8746]

Thx that's a good way to forge some big nails. The main difficulty is to get their heads centered on the nail especially if u sell these . but with the guillotine tool it's much more easy to get them centered than striking em with the hammer to actually form the head over the header

[@BlackBearForge]

I also find that shouldering under a power hammer with flat dies works quite well.

[@3870TheDad]

**Pooooffff** Mind blown!! WOW, what an absolutely awesome idea project. Make and trade nails with other blacksmiths. Plain or designer. As your skills improve, the design of your nails will change.

[@steelpennyforge5152]

I could see using the nails on a rough cut 4x4 and hanging sets of "S" hooks off them when you sell at craft fairs. Make longer ones for tent spikes for the historical recreation groups. Nail into a base to set tomahawk throwing targets on. The possibilities!!! Great project. Now I gotta get going on a nail header...

[@grandadz_forge]

That was amazing to watch the tip actually heat up from you working the metal.

[@Allazander]

Inspired to make decorative nails to mount my anvil with, when I finally get an anvil that is.... Thanks for the inspiration!

[@SantaPlaysPickleball]

I really loved this video. As a beginner, these types of “challenges” are great for me.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video and great work. It’s always interesting watching your channel. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Gramps made all his bigger nails. Hundreds and hundreds of them. Kept me busy at the overhead bellows. Great memories.

[@BlackBearForge]

I bet he was better at it than I am.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

I remember them getting better through the batch. At one point he had iron telegraph wire he would make smaller ones from. Probably 1/8 in. You couldn't pull them out of seasoned wood.

[@manga12]

we all have our specialties mr john, but the belllows sound like a boat load of fun for a little while at least, I picture myself going to town like donald duck or something alla tom and jerry with fireplace bellows heh, I always liked playing with them when I could find them at someones house as a little kid though

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Gramps was overhead. He built a ramp so i could grab the rope and it would let me to the ground. Then I would stay clear as I ran around and up the ramp again till he called for more. I spent hours with him.

[@manga12]

yea I wish I could have spent time with my grandfather, he carved I mean I did know him a bit but not like the other grandkids, and for a time grandma treated me poorly, and we just did not spend much time with them, my moms family well that was another story, but my moms dad passed away when she was 3 he was a heck of a religious man and railroader though, I would have loved to hear his stories as a railroad historian hobbiest that I am today, as I said though he liked to whittle and carve and liked to garden my dad took after the gardening and fishing aspect, and woodworking but we do stuff like shelfs, clocks, chests, rockinghorses and the like, and have done minor fabrication work, building grills and a few charcoal starter tables, oh and a safe stand for a friend of the neighbors who helps us with the fab and weld work.

[@klkkylekin5948]

Thanks for the video everytime I watch I learn something new thanks for that your a very good teacher

[@BlackBearForge]

You are welcome.

[@TufStockdogs]

Thank you for this video about making nail I really going to try this it seems like I could try I! Thank you buddy have a blessed day

[@stevesyncox9893]

I’m wanting to make nails for the doors in my forge. I built “barn doors” and want to ornament the frame with hand made nails. So thanks for this, you have inspired me.

[@valsforge4318]

Very cool idea.

[@dougalexander7204]

Good work. Good teaching. “No limits to your imagination”.

[@alansloas777]

Great video John. Thank you!

[@arlenestanton9955]

Love seeing you work out a problem!

[@82finesa]

Great project, like you said you can let your imagination run wild and have some fun with. Enjoyed the video

[@TufStockdogs]

Really nice john thank you for sharing this

[@GONE2VT802]

Awesome video, John! Great project idea.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@kennethomeara9848]

I like your new intro

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you. It still needs a bit of refinement, but it helps set the stage a bit more so to speak.

[@larryking606]

Great Idea , wonderful instruction and definitely inspiring !

[@GWIRailroad]

That is so cool and inspiring. Thank You!!

[@allyblair]

that's a pretty cool project.

[@Luis-eu2ow]

Good stuff! I love it. Keep being awesome! The pacing of this video is quite good. I can definitely see the growth from the earlier videos you have done. Keep growing and keep hammering out videos! Till next time

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks. I keep looking for ways to improve without loosing the just hanging around the shop feel of the videos.

[@stanervin7581]

Love making nails. Thought I would have gotten tired of them after 2 days making them at a craft fair as a demo. @ $1 each, they went very fast. Coupla hundred dollars in two days and had fun and practice to boot! 😉. ⚒ By the way, #9 Mustad horseshoe nails make for easy rings and keychains! Read less

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats a lot of nails. If i would spend two days just making nails I am sure I would be better at it.

[@workwithnature]

A very nice looking nail. The leaf worked out great, a very decorative piece. I know of lots of restaurants back in Ireland where those would fit in well. Good ideas. I have several leaf springs and they always come with a hole. That bolster plate would be easily made by drifting the round hole square. Might give that a go. Did you use mild steel for the nails, did not catch what material you used.

[@BlackBearForge]

The hole in leaf springs is a great starting point for bolsters and headers

[@williammorris1763]

I wish there was a place to forge around here in the Bay Area. Not sure if Ardenwood Farm still has a shop running. Nice video first thing in the morning.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks. If you mean the San Fransisco bay area. Look up James Austin. He teaches classes at his shop.

[@williammorris1763]

I had seen that shop before on google maps. I'll have to check him out. The crucible wasn't my cup of tea really. Thanks again!

[@WildBoreWoodWind]

John, I've always wanted to make a small clinker built sailboat, I just need a few thousand of these nails - I think I'm going to have to invest in a power hammer. lol

[@Luis-eu2ow]

phil millar just get hammering. Once you get some practice at it you could probably have enough nails after a weekend or 2 of work.

[@BlackBearForge]

A thousand of this size nail may sink the boat

[@WildBoreWoodWind]

I don't think my shoulder would stand up to that kind of punishment.

[@WildBoreWoodWind]

I'd better get baling. LOL!

[@jeffgrier8488]

I like the trade nail idea, but maybe you should start a nail tree and everybody could send you nails to put in it.....

[@dalekidd420]

I can think of at least one really practical use for a big, basic nail like that: nailing large hinges etc. up for gates, barn doors, and the like. Making the hinge plates with square punched holes the same size as the nail shafts would ensure excellent fit and retention.

[@xxxclampgodxxx5511]

Hey John just a heads up the new shirt came in today. Looks really good. And feel like its good quality also not a cheap shirt that you wash three times and it falls apart......paul

[@BlackBearForge]

Good to know. The only problem with Teespring is that I never actually get to see the product.

[@xxxclampgodxxx5511]

I guess you have to order one just like everyone else. Lol.

[@waltparkhurst2494]

Awesome vid. Insertionnail. Lol thanks John

[@Luis-eu2ow]

The anvil really has quieted down after the mounting you did.

[@wildeyedbamaboy]

Would like to see a video on making lag bolts. I thought if you forged the material into a "teardrop" shape, then twisted it, you would have a crude lag bolt. Thoughts?

[@BlackBearForge]

I have never found any information on how lag bolts or wood screws might have been made before the days of mass production. I will be seeing Peter Ross at the rocky Mountain Blacksmithing Conference in a few weeks. I will try to remember to ask him.

[@duaneaubuchon9453]

I like to see a twisted nail

[@stevenjohnson2273]

Duane Aubuchon its called a screw.

[@rockyroney2666]

Question. I have a old smaller anvil with attached vice I've never seen one wondering if I could send you pictures see if you could tell me what it is

[@matthewhall6087]

My last anvil when i first started i made all 8 nails to keep my anvil on the log i used then next i made tongs. Lol i dint have the tongs or the anvil anymore.

[@BlackBearForge]

Hopefully that means you have upgraded

[@matthewhall6087]

No but i got about the same n.c. now

[@messybench]

Can you drive a mild steel nail without a pilot hole?

[@BlackBearForge]

sure, most nails are not hardened steel.

[@leegibbs6753]

Where can I get a hat like you have, I have been looking for years. Lee Gibbs, blacksmith, gunsmith, and circle mill sawyer in Michigan

[@stelmac3212]

John, how do you make a touch mark punch?

[@BlackBearForge]

I buy mine from Henry A Evers they can be found online.

[@kennethomeara9848]

Could you put a twist in it? Or would that make it harder to drive?

[@BlackBearForge]

Sure, why not? These generally aren't driven in very far so the twist would be a nice element.

[@theblackravenforge1353]

Would Mild steel be ok?

[@BlackBearForge]

For the nails? yes, mild steel is all I would use. For the headed mild steel is OK but it won't last as long as something that can be hardened.

[@tobystout7363]

Did you make your hammer? If not, what brand is it?

[@tobystout7363]

the cross pein, not diagonal

[@BlackBearForge]

That hammer was made by William Bastas. I don't think he is still making them.

[@tobystout7363]

Thank you sir

[@stanervin7581]

P.S. : the animal head nail is baad a** ! Could see 4 of them used as corners for a wood carving over a mantle in a man cave. 🙈🙉🙊

[@marcs4738]

Wow you got serious tempo in this video! I would have been worn out in the first 2 minutes or less

[@camelcitytattooshopp]

1000 and one uses

[@jimburnsjr.]

I think it is pronounced Swadge.. with a long A... but I am from the south, and we both could be using some kind of slang wittingly or unwittingly... can you provide any insight on that?... great video thanks very much... i will have to get me one of your coffee cups for sure.

[@BlackBearForge]

I think I have heard it several different ways. So it's hard to say which is correct.

[@jimburnsjr.]

Right on... thanks for taking the time to reply.. and thanks for taking the time to add extra background knowledge in your videos.. I think a lot of the seemingly inconsequential stuff tends to turn out to be more important than a young guy is apt to appreciate... sure do want to have as accurate a perception as possible of what all, why, who, and how, the roads were paved before us. thanks again

[@TomokosEnterprize]

The imagination is the limit eh.