Longhorn Steer - Hook of the Week 47

[@davidlong3824]

Looking good nice job.

[@Wirenutz3665]

My favorite hook so far!!!

[@terrystewart2034]

You are so humble about your work. But it is without any doubt excellent. I really enjoy your work John. Improvise adapt and overcome.

[@sibco96]

That angle block is pure genius.

[@paulorchard7960]

sibco96 Something I will be making, thought the same thing when I saw it!

[@sbjennings99]

Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls

[@NjalLaing]

Very nice John. Talented😊

[@krisley5178]

Excellence in form.

[@ICBSF]

Texan approved!

[@billholly4317]

Thanks John. Nice looking longhorn hook. But whoops my longhorn just became a Unicorn. I thinks I will try 1/2 inch next time. But I will continue with my Unicorn after lunch. 😉

[@BlackBearForge]

A unicorn could be fun

[@Stashawek]

I don't know if anyone's said this before but you're like the Bob Ross of metal working. "i decided this is what my hook wants to look like" Thanks as always

[@sibco96]

Your videos are a pleasure every Sunday morning.

[@johnportwood6223]

Good Job yours look better than mine does thanks you allwase do good work

[@springwoodcottage4248]

So lovely, the moment I saw the thumb nail, I knew I would be enchanted and delighted and I was! Thank you for sharing!

[@TheOldaz1]

Pretty obvious what it represents, very nice. Thanks John.

[@jeffputnam8554]

I like this hook. We have longhorns in our neighborhood so I guess I better try making one

[@normanfrazier6695]

Well done thanks

[@rickburns8492]

Very nice work.

[@beni2094]

Good morning breakfast club! So excited for this one! Thanks for sharing! Hope everyone is well.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good morning John, great job on the Longhorn Hook of the week !👍👍 Enjoyed the ride along with you today too. Thanks for sharing with us. Fred.

[@crackedanvilblacksmithing3932]

Fantastic intro music as always

[@mtyson9004]

Very cool John! Thanks for sharing and God Bless you sir!

[@danbreyfogle8486]

Another nice looking hook. I heard a talking head this morning that reminded us that we all have a role to play in this Covid 19 business and watching your video makes me think that talented folks like you John are playing a role by providing fresh entertainment to those that subscribe or find your work. It doesn't matter what the topic is or the length, what matters is that you have brought me information that is not depressing or upsetting. A moment to escape the reality of this mess has great value and I thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@BlackBearForge]

I do hope that I can provide some sort of a distraction a few times per week, That and staying home so I don't add to the problem is about all I can do

[@danbreyfogle8486]

@@BlackBearForge And that is all each of us can do to live up to the part we play in this mess. Protecting ourselves and others by staying home and keeping our minds in a place that doesn't lead to despair. And there is no despair in the black smith shop. Well there are those problems that crop up in a project that lead to frustration, grin (old woodworkers like me are very aware when I make a mistake and have trouble fixing it and at times that seems like despair). I look forward to a couple bright spots each week.

[@hannemannironworks1651]

Very cool hook John!

[@trollforge]

I used to do a single point fire poker with a finial similar to that but with the chin tucked down at 45Deg and the horns going more or less straight up like an African Ibex(?) so the horns could be used as a toasting fork.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats a neat approach

[@trollforge]

@@BlackBearForge thank you. They weren't period, but sure were popular with the Fur-Trade era re-enactors...

[@spkrman15]

It was impressive watching you forge the eyes and nose. Great presentation

[@dennisfisher7372]

Very nice

[@mulekickforge4242]

Very nice, thanks for all the videos.

[@bobhumphries3998]

I just finished making this. It came out great (for me). I did make that mistake that you mentioned in an earlier video, I blocked my lower screw hole. I reheated it, straightened it out and used a smaller bending jig. Thank you for all the inspiration.

[@larrygockley2613]

If one wants to make one of these, you sure steered them in the right direction.

[@BlackBearForge]

😂

[@rpederse]

Been watching and enjoying your videos lately. I’m not a smith, but I’m finding you a calming sort of person to hang out with. Thank you.

[@frankcall8567]

I watch every week, thank you!

[@mikes1345]

Found darryl Nelson and his creations are quite unique but your steer is also quite unique also. Those would sell well at craft shows in my part of Texas. Congratulations and thanks for cheery video during the current crisis.

[@lenblacksmith8559]

Came out good John

[@williamsultana3848]

Hi John

[@diyschoolofhardknocks2943]

great job

[@SuperJaXXas]

It's beautiful John, good work!

[@josephmaschari1073]

Great hook, thanks for the time in making these video. I think they bring more than knowledge. I think they bring Hope. God bless.

[@alwaysbearded1]

Nice character in this one. My wife, ex-Texan would like it.

[@tommclean6444]

I think a log hook, would make a good hook of the week video

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Loved the hook. I always like animals made out of steel . I remember once i asked you to make Rams head hook. Look awesome👍👍👍👍👍

[@Smallathe]

Tiny hook? Not sure but it sure is lovely !!!

[@elmermainville4429]

That looks like a lot of detail and your skill make it look simple. All the tools you have are great also! Thanks again!!

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Hello John Its good to see you healthy and well Your video is the cream topping of the day I love to see you and your work Well stay save and dont catch the Virus Greetings from Germany and the Harz mountains All the best wishes Yours Frank

[@sarahhoward9081]

I'd like to see a buck hook like that. Those antlers would be tricky.

[@angelopedretti83]

This is a door hinge, but you could use his idea to make a hook. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKOtqmp5ppt_m6c

[@richardsolomon8076]

Great video John, the year is rolling along fast :-) 49/52 awesome searies bro.

[@glencrandall7051]

Even if I had not been watching you make it, there would be no question in my mind that it is a longhorn steer. Excellent video. Thank you for sharing and please stay healthy.

[@johnjude2685]

I didn't find this earlier, almost bedtime, Will watch tomorrow

[@marty01957]

Very attractive and decorative hook, John! Thanks for sharing!

[@GrainneDhu]

I love it! Every time that steer's head was heated to red, I thought he looked like one of the steers from the herd in "Ghost Riders in the Sky" as sung by The Highwaymen. He just looked like he'd fit right in charging across a night sky. From the late 60s to the early 80s, I rode hunter/jumpers and there was a farrier at that barn who was a blacksmith. Whenever he had a gap in his day, he'd use the time to make things like your hooks. I watched him a lot because I was willing to hold horses and have a "come to Jesus" moment with the ones who thought that standing for hoof care should be optional. The barn horses were all real good about it but people trailered in horses for him to work on, particularly people whose horses needed more than the usual type of shoe. Some of those horses were spoiled to death in the not good way. He worked closely with the local horse vet and it was always fascinating to see him take a piece of straight stock and smith an orthopedic or corrective shoe out of it. I realise times move on and that different blacksmiths are, well, different. My question is about pre-heating your tools or anvil. The farrier I knew had 5 or 6 worn out steel shoes that he would stick in the forge when he lit it and let them get hot, then he'd lay them on the anvil to get her heated up. He said that she needed a warm up or she'd fight him all the way! Do blacksmiths still do this or was that just something one man did or... what? So many questions, so little time for research.

[@robertwhitney2232]

Yes, there is a reason to heat the anvil, if you are working in a cold condition and doing small work the anvil will suck all the heat out of your work. When we meet at the guild once a week in the winter, I find it is best to preheat the anvil, and if really cold leave my hammer on the edge of the forge to get a little heat transfer, no more than what you can hold in your bear hand. All said and done, if your anvil is cold, it's unhappy.

[@GrainneDhu]

@@robertwhitney2232 thank you, that makes a lot of sense.

[@DavidGrassSr]

Another job. nicely done ?

[@clydebalcom8252]

It's a beautiful hook, and I would be proud of have something like that on my wall.

[@frankcall8567]

I like it, I bet you could do a scorpion!

[@jjppres]

Nice work John! It really came out well.

[@billy19461]

Artist! That is great.

[@timbren1679]

Very nice, you make that look easy. Thanks for the inspiration to try that myself...and for sparing us the gorey details :)

[@markmcmeen287]

Love the hook and the steer head! Not only have you inspired me to give a steer head another try, but you have encouraged me to make a better "cutting plate" and "angle block" to facilitate the effort. Keep up the good work and the encouragement.Also great advice about the caricature rather than exact representation. Thank you.

[@tobyjo57]

That's a very nice hook John and a great idea. Just the thing for a country lodge or a gift for a hunter. Got it on my bucket list of things to try. Thanks for sharing your skills with us

[@jeffgrier8488]

Nice work John, that definitely makes a unique hook!

[@42icee]

Sweet....loving this one!!!

[@georgegriffiths2235]

You have to brand your steers John😊

[@oracle1239]

I made something like this a few weekends ago. The horns turned out fine. Your video helps me with the face construction. My next long horn hook should look less moose-like. Thank you!

[@techronmattic5876]

Not your average hook, nice work

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

Wow that looks so awesome! That’s my favorite hook so far! Thanks for sharing!

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

It's a beauty. Thanks John.

[@JAWLonghorns]

Love the hook (obviously) and thanks for the video You did a good job on the horns keeping them symmetrical Another option for the hook part is to make it look like a cow tail might have given you more length :)

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Nice

[@Jennifer-zb4gc]

i can’t waite for the next hook of the week :) love this one you are a amazing blacksmith as you are an amazing teacher! thanks for sharing your knowledge with us :) tomorrow i will make this hook

[@douglasfathers4848]

Nice hook John looks like you could use the horns to hang some keys .

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

One of my favorite hooks now. Such a cute lil feller 🙏 Blessings now John Crawford out ⚒️🧙‍♂️

[@jackavalon8366]

Stay safe John. Can you get groceries delivered? We Aussies locked down early and might be dodging the bullet. Not so our friends in New York though.

[@BlackBearForge]

We don't have an actual grocery delivery that will come this far out. But it is amazing what you buy online and have shipped. Costs a bit more but plenty of variety with the exception of fresh produce. For that we found a farmers market that will deliver to a friends house in town and we can go in there every two weeks to pick up what happens to be in the box at the time, its just what ever is available when they pack it up.

[@oldschool3372]

Love these vids

[@charltonjames7616]

The material doesn't look very hot. Is that because of the material thickness? I thought that the optimal temperature was lemon yellow?

[@grandadz_forge]

That video was bull. LOL loved it

[@cjmcconnell8234]

Great work enjoy the info in your videos. Could you tell me where you got your blacksmith hammer you are using?

[@BlackBearForge]

It was made by William Bastas many years ago

[@olivergroce4216]

Split cross hooks on a back plate

[@ConfusedRaccoon]

11:46. wrong angle I assume? Shame. Still a very nice project.

[@sibco96]

The anvil wanted the spotlight for a moment.

[@BlackBearForge]

well rats. I'm glad it was a short clip

[@dadegroot]

Hahahaha "round them up", on a longhorn ;-)

[@dougadams6701]

in many of your videos you mention sucker rod as good steel to use, what is sucker rod, i live in eastern Ky.

[@BlackBearForge]

Sucker rod is the connecting rod from an above ground pump mechanism to the in ground pump head. Mostly seen in the oil industry.

[@hayward434]

Good Video John. You have the least "thumbs downs" of any of the videos I watch. Must be doing something right.

[@Jennifer-zb4gc]

oh john one question where can i get such a brush tool you are using and aswell the wax to black my hook like yours

[@BlackBearForge]

The brushes come from Pieh Tool and the wax is just paste wax that you might use on wood floors, such as Johnsons Wax

[@Jennifer-zb4gc]

Black Bear Forge :) thank you John

[@georgecuyler7563]

Have you done buffalo heads

[@BlackBearForge]

I did a few a very long time ago. For those I inserted the horns in the doubled over section

[@curtisbarkes6271]

Question, sir. Do you ever use you coal forge anymore? if not, why?

[@BlackBearForge]

I rarely use coal anymore. Its hard to find good coal and its expensive. Propane allows me to get much more work done for less fuel cost.

[@richardsolomon8076]

Oops 47/52 :-)

[@frankbruce6889]

If it's crossed eye, does it have mad cow disease? 😀

[@BlackBearForge]

Could be 😄