How to Forge a BASKET TWIST - with 5 bars

Basket twists with 4 bars are fairly straight forward to forge. But when you start adding more bars to the welded bundle things can get a little more complicated. This is a great intermediate forge welding project for the blacksmith
Black Bear Forge is sponsored by:
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Use code "Blackbear10" for a discount on your next order
My new anvil is from Fontanini Anvils
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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Mailing address:
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P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
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Find me online at:
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/ black-bear-forge-20986...
Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
My blacksmiths apron
www.Forge-Aprons.com use code BBF
RZmask 99.5% dust mask
rzmask.com?afmc=ay
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhammers.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforge.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithbolt.com/
New anvils - www.oldworldanvils.com/
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils.com/
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore.com/
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Most of my videos are shot on the Canon M50
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Audio is recorded using the RodeLink Filmmaker Wireless Microphone Kit
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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.

[@tyndalos9212]

That new anvil sounds really good! Kudos from Argentina, John! Jeep being an amazing teacher and inspiration for all of us!

[@HydrogenAgent129]

Wow, more kids need to learn this stuff, why the hell is this not in every school at a young age???!!! We all know it should be!!!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Nice quick project john! Keep up the great work sir

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, you too!

[@acksha]

I just stumbling upon your channel. I never knew how much I would enjoy watching blacksmithing. This is awesome!!

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@larrymcclaren5960]

Thanks for all you information you give me

[@mattwyeth3156]

That would make a really nice fire rake for the forge

[@douglasfathers4848]

O love the new Anvil .

[@arrowheadhomestead2207]

That anvil is insane.

[@davidlong3824]

I bet that’s a pleasure to work on you new anvil lookout good take care uk .

[@TheScottyNutz]

You got yourself a drone!! I'm a drone guy. Have fun

[@BlackBearForge]

I have had drones for a while, they just don't see much use in the blacksmith shop. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2OlZKWer9iCha8

[@jackshadow325]

New anvil is looking good. Nice large (flat) surface to work with.

[@ga5743]

Looks like you and your new anvil are working well together. So happy for you John, and sweet little project. Thanks for sharing.

[@Smallathe]

12.29 shows wonderfully what you talked about in your video on hammer holding technique. Wonderful project!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

The 3/16 Rod as end spacers is a brilliant solution. The 5th bar really adds to the basket

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@nathanlundell1616]

Love how the new anvil works out for u.

[@josephmaschari1073]

I like that twist, the quarter gives it a great look. I like the anvil.

[@Hubilicious90]

This upsetting block looks hugely convenient!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Loving that Fontanini anvil! She really stands out as the centerpiece of the video.

[@billrockefeller5409]

Your videos always provide great information for the Blacksmith! Glad that you take the effort to teach all of the viewers!

[@moreybandel5560]

It amazes me how much that new anvil works well for you! Much more efficient! Great video! Thanks John!

[@wayneheitz8390]

I always enjoy seeing new ways to do this type of project. Thank you sir.

[@honthirty_]

I like the focus on the understated basket.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello John You are back with full Power i think What a new anvil can do it is amazing Thank you for the Video a basket handle a very nice Feature an a dekorativ one Take care stay healthy Best wishes and a good new week Greetings to you Frank Galetzka

[@BlackBearForge]

You are very welcome

[@eliprice138]

That’s one hell of a nice anvil John !

[@BlackBearForge]

I think so too

[@markmcmeen287]

You're so right, ... "Less is more!" Almost always so true. Also, great tip on the 5 rod spacing.

[@dalekechter3896]

That was the best tutorial I've seen from you in the 2 years I've been watching your videos. Thank you

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad to help

[@Zogg1281]

That's a really nice poker. I know the main idea is to show the basket twist (which I love) but I mike the way you made the pointy end as well. The new anvil looks great but I can still hear a really high pitched ring when working on the face of the anvil and it gets worse when you're working around the shelf area. I wouldn't mention it except that it's just at the right pitch to hurt my ears. Maybe a magnet under the shelf would help? 👍

[@michaelhayes1678]

Elegant poker done on a beautiful anvil. That upsetting space turned out handy too!

[@davewardphotography]

Love the new anvil, cant say I've watched all your video's, seen many, and always learning from you. And yes I wear my safety glasses and "get out to my shop" as often as I can. You rock!

[@raelyndelmonte608]

the new anvil looks so fancy and shiny!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice twist to the poker. Came out great. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheWoodsmanMilling]

I love your videos. I've hit a rough patch and haven't been able to build a forge yet, but your videos keep me inspired to get one built when I get the chance.

[@KingLoopie1]

I like that flat shelf on your new anvil! Keeps you from needing to scoot around the end of the anvil when you want to straighten something...

[@jamesddiana2897]

Would like to see how you adjusted your tools for your new Annville

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Basket twist came out clean and beautiful.Nice camera angles👍👍🔥🔥

[@BlackBearForge]

Appreciate it

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice video this week John. Project turned out very well there. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. Keep Making. God Bless.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@CoyoteFallsForge]

Looks like you're enjoying the heck out of that new anvil.

[@humancattoy7767]

I've been looking forward to seeing the new anvil in action.

[@mikemcallister757]

Thank you for another great video! Love your new anvil and it's really quiet.

[@paceywickham3694]

I love the videos John! You're the one who gave me the confidence to try forge welding! Thanks for the content

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad to hear it

[@dr.doppeldecker3832]

I love the hammering sounds!

[@markspc1]

Good looking anvil, it even has a diving ramp !

[@micahj8094]

Great video, love this channel! Makes me itch to get back out to my shop!

[@hannemannironworks1651]

I saw the short earlier this came out great John!

[@douglasfathers4848]

HI John the 1/4 turn twist is so neat and smooth ,when I made mine I welded the ends with an arc welder :( and a 1/2 twist it was a bit lumpy. I never stop learning watching you John that 5th bar looks amazing and the 3/16 piece at each end ,That's why you're the boss. Cheers. :)

[@turtledruid464]

Beautiful work on a beautiful anvil! Keep it up!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you very much!

[@HansWeberHimself]

Your new anvil reminds me of the one our neighbor had back in Germany in the seventieth. The man was originally a “Wagner” (barrels and wheels) but just like my dad (locksmith), those guys did everything. Well, except electrical and plaster. :)

[@jblueforge3131]

Great work lije usual

[@jeffgrier8488]

Nice work John, i'll get the courage to try this one day!

[@Smallathe]

Very cool!

[@grandadz_forge]

Awesome

[@smartgorilla]

Lovely

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us John, I enjoyed the longer version more. Since I am not a blacksmith I wasn’t sure how the tool was really made in the short version. I still enjoyed watching you work though. Take care stay safe and keep having fun. Fred. 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👋👋

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, the short version was just meant to preview the longer version

[@robbullis5025]

Looks like you have adapted to the horn on the left just fine.

[@BlackBearForge]

I really thought it would take longer, but everything seem quite natural.

[@advance9572]

Great anvil. I thought at first you were making a mistake by getting rid of the old one. I have two Trenton anvils and really like them! But before I look at a new anvil like you have, I have to get a power hammer first. 👍

[@bushcraftinthegarden9525]

Woweeeyy that new anvil is looking mighty fine! How are you finding the hardness of the face? around 53hrc is a little soft for my liking, hows it treating you?

[@BlackBearForge]

Perfect so far

[@user-tv7wv2ld7k]

ขอบคุณครับ🙏

[@johnjude2685]

I never used one but the double horns would have to be nice

[@hayward434]

I would love to see the quatrafoil in the upper left hand corner of the grill next to the forge done.

[@BlackBearForge]

It is one my list of video ideas

[@dumbcrap5283]

Teacher man

[@78LW]

Awesome work as always and I'm jealous of the new anvil, did you sell some of your microphone equipment to buy it?

[@BlackBearForge]

No, just didn't have the wireless mic plugged in properly for this video

[@johnnydrummond8738]

I was wondering, do you still find yourself "correcting" for tge old anvils crowning???

[@BlackBearForge]

I don't but I find I'm spending less time correcting for the problems it created

[@flatlander6734]

Hey John! How about the story on that scrolled panel that's leaning on the backside of the coal forge??

[@BlackBearForge]

I talk about it some in this video from 3 years ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmHYlZ19gduLZ7M

[@kuriakos]

He's been doing test pieces for an ornate window grill, so maybe a little easter egg?

[@flatlander6734]

Thank you John. Nice work on both. But you gotta get that grill cleaned up and hung. It deserves to be used and seen.

[@warrenmunn3224]

Looks great John, how are you finding the new Anvil?

[@BlackBearForge]

Its been great

[@RCDinsmore]

This might have been a good project to try with your induction forge. Have you done anything more with that?

[@BlackBearForge]

It would be ideal for these types of small welds and we will be looking more closely at using it in that way in the near future

[@brianschoonover4605]

Hey John; on your guillotine tool, what grade of steel are the different dies made out of?

[@BlackBearForge]

4140 in most cases

[@andreasfrank6544]

Hallo John nice video! Do you like your anvil is it that what you expected! Have a nice time and keep on doing videos! See you soon!

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes, it is everything I thought it would be

[@andreasfrank6544]

@@BlackBearForge That's cool have a great day and fun in your shop!

[@MrDukaman]

I really like this twist it’s smaller and cleaner looking. So how is the new anvil what’s your thoughts I’m still in the market for a monster anvil …. Paul. Thx again🔥⚒🇺🇸👍🎬

[@BlackBearForge]

I can't imagine wishing for anything different for my main anvil

[@PabloGonzalez-hw4eu]

Hello John..... I ‘ve just started to follow your channel and I would ask some information about forging bronze. I will appreciate it so much. Thanks in advance. PD: your work is amazing.!!!!!

[@BlackBearForge]

Sorry, I don't do any bronze forging

[@sixpointforge5573]

I have a question about forge welding. When you forge weld a piece of material do you need to keep working it at forge welding temperature? When i work a forge welded piece it likes to create a seam and then come undone.

[@BlackBearForge]

As you work and refine the piece its best to stay at welding heat so that you are refining the weld as well. But if it breaks easily, it probably wasn't completely welded.

[@sixpointforge5573]

Okay thank you, that makes more sense.

[@bradslone8511]

This may be a dumb question, but I'm totally new to blacksmithing and truly don't know much. My question is about when you talked about striking the material with the hammer that you push it off the edge so you won't hit the flat surface of the anvil. I thought that is what the anvil is for so why don't you want to strike the surface of the anvil with the hammer?

[@BlackBearForge]

You do work between hammer and anvil, but you should avoid the hammer actually striking the anvil. When forging a taper its easy to ding up both hammer and anvil at the end of the taper, so working near the edge lets the edge of the hammer miss the anvil while still leaving the work on the anvil.

[@lesterstumpf3105]

Could you suggest a video on making touch marks.

[@BlackBearForge]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5STeZejqpyFers

[@lenblacksmith8559]

Came out good John, how's that new Fontanini Anvil going. Looks so good that beast.?

[@BlackBearForge]

I am glad I finally committed to the upgrade

[@lenblacksmith8559]

@@BlackBearForge i bet h a vintage a great anvil like that.

[@jackburton9214]

How many pieces can you reasonably forge weld together in a project and maintain structural stability? Is there a formula or anything?

[@BlackBearForge]

I have seen basket twists with 7 bars and I'm sure you could do more. No formula as far as I know. Many knife makers will have a thousand layers forge welded into pattern welded blades.

[@waltersmith3377]

have you done a basket with lets say with a heart in the center of it?

[@BlackBearForge]

Never even heard of it being done that way

[@waltersmith3377]

@@BlackBearForge I seen it in a 1700's fire set it looked like a 6 wire basket with the central wire the one that was made into the figure I was hoping to find some helpful hints on making it

[@quintinstephens2573]

So, what guillotine tool are you using there? I just watched the guillotine review from early 2020 and this is not either of them.

[@BlackBearForge]

Smithin Magician kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5bHknyvr7h1fbM

[@klkkylekin5948]

How's the new Anvil treating you

[@BlackBearForge]

Great so far

[@OdegardOnline]

Was that a little cheater weld on the end of the rods? :o} As always, thank you for an informative video. I can't wait to try this myself!

[@BlackBearForge]

Just a way to keep them together until they are forge welded. The extra spacer in the center can tend to fall out otherwise.

[@OdegardOnline]

@@BlackBearForge That's what I figured. You didn't mention it in the video. I was joking because a "purist" would probably give you grief over spot welding before forge welding - even though that's how knife makers normally prep their steel for forge welding damascus. It was a great video, and I can't wait to try it myself once all the snow melts and it's warm enough to re-line my coal forge. Thanks!

[@Seelenschmiede]

Because this is left off every blacksmithing video: how long does it take in the forge to take this bar to the yellow glow?

[@BlackBearForge]

I leave the time off because it is so unreliable to think in terms of time. Different forges, fuels and state of the fire all heat differently. In this case from cold bar to welding heat is about 2 minutes. But later in the day as the fire gets dirty it might take longer and in the induction forge it might only be 30 seconds.

[@Seelenschmiede]

@@BlackBearForge Thanks. A rough estimate was all I needed. Some minutes, half an hour, i don't know. Is he standing around, reading books or is even a pee brake a risk? ;)

[@johnherndon3777]

New anvil is wayyy to pretty. 😂 she needs some battle scars