New Mexican scroll hook

This ornately scrolled hook is inspired by one seen in the in Parson's Gallery of the West, Taos New Mexico. I should say loosely inspired, I took the opportunity and made the scroll work much more elaborate than the original.
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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.

[@BlackBearForge]

This hook is available for sale on the newly revised Black Bear Forge Website - www.blackbearforge.com/store

[@RyanBarnes]

One thing I think a lot of folks might miss, is that when he's putting the tapers on the area to become a scroll, his hammer control is preventing the rectangular shape of the metal from twisting. I've done some basic taper into a scroll and I found that my hammer control wasn't what I want it to be yet, as the metal started to twist! John, you make this look super easy, and I'm sure with more practice it is, but it's nice to see a master at their craft.

[@sirkai007]

I like the idea of the strap hinge finial.

[@WULFWERKS]

Sir, every time I watch your videos I learn but I also immediately want to run to the shop and get to work. Thank you for all your hard work!

[@johnblanton-fd3jf]

Hook of the week on a different level , very nice !

[@tonyn3123]

I'm not a blacksmith, but I admire the outcome of your scroll work and the final piece as a whole. Blacksmithing is not machining. You really should not elaborate on all the moles and blemishes of your work. All fabricators have those things we didn't do as well as we would like. But can we fix them to look right?? If it' looks right, it is right" and yours looks right to me. I enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@ulfhedtyrsson]

Reminds me of the depictions of old gods blowing the trade winds.

[@TheBottegaChannel]

Looking forward to seeing the door build and the hinge designs you incorperate into it. First thing I said to one of my buddies when I saw that hook was " Three words: Blacksmith Christmas Tree".

[@BlackBearForge]

Great idea

[@honthirty_]

Or a Halloween hoo-doo variation?

[@Alanbataar]

What a fun hook! I can't wait to try it! It might be interesting to twist the material before scrolling. Thank you, John.

[@NathanS__]

Really looking forward to the door project. The hinges will look really good and you can do a forged door latch to complete it.

[@fingerz1245]

Great job as always, John! If you haven’t already, check out Roy’s French baroque door knocker, for the knocker, he forge welded the pieces and added a collar. I really like your idea to make it a door hinge, that will look amazing!

[@moreybandel5560]

It may not be perfect or symmetrical, but, those imperfections is what gives it character. I'll have to try some more scroll work too. Definitely gave me some ideas. Thanks John!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for the great video John. That took some tender loving care to come up with that finished hook you shared with us. Turned out really good. Fred.

[@LitoGeorge]

You know, I dont care for the design, but I remain impressed by the individual and collective smithing skills used to create it. Thats the shine for me. Thank you for teaching me several techniques here; I will be putting these into action tonight at my local BSmith club.

[@russelbutler6704]

Love this hook. Just got given a cone mandrel so I think this would make a great gift to give them back.

[@frenchcreekvalley]

String------ I use lengths of wire solder to lay out the shape of a lot of things. It stays exactly where you put it.

[@TalRohan]

Thats a really cool design, I am aware of where the design originates but it also looks like a tree of life too, Its also given me an idea for a double hook where the top hook rolls up over the outside of the lower hook, using the same sort of lines and scrolls for the top half. No idea if that makes sense but I can see it in my head. Thanks for sharing, I really like this idea

[@Anothermachine]

😮 BEAUTIFUL! I could easily see this as a wall sconce or ornate hinges....soooo many things

[@BlackBearForge]

My thoughts exactly

[@johnritchie3889]

That would make a great hinge finial for a big blanket chest. One of those carved pine chests you find in the Southwest.

[@jamesking9941]

I absolutely love the sound of your anvil. Nice work.

[@sampence484]

Beautiful scroll hook John. I can't wait to see the hinges made similarly.... Your hammer work is poetry in motion. I've been blacksmithing for about 4 years now and have done many scrolls but my hammer work is not nearly as precise. It's not just hitting where you aim but hitting with the correct amount of force to match the metal thickness and heat level. Really impressive to watch. Thanks for all the videos you post. I've learned so much watching you.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you very much!

[@Little_River_Forge]

You do such wonderful work. Be day I’ll set aside some time to focus more on artsy blacksmithing projects. It’s such a rewarding project to have finished. It has that “wow I made that” factor that I love so much. ❤ thank you again for sharing your wisdom and time John.

[@jeffgrier8488]

That's a great looking hook John!

[@MrJamesjustin]

That's really sweet.

[@1noryb]

Thanks John, I've been looking for styles to make some gate hardware with. This would certainly teach some scroll work!

[@AirfixLtd]

Lovely workmanship for a beautiful item. 😍👍👏

[@stefflus08]

The style suits you. You could jazz up your moustache like that as well 😊 Oh, and top notch thumbnail.

[@joshmajor8662]

This is a GREAT inspiration, John!!! Now I wanna go forge Lol I really need to finish a knife, but I enjoy a good challenge and scroll work is ALWAYS a challenge!! Haha Thanks John!!

[@michaeleasterday8056]

Thank you so much for your shared knowledge. I've learned so much as a beginner.

[@davor1507]

Love the hinge idea. Not to crazy about the chiseled lines, someone might think that it is individual scrolls welded together. I did when I saw the thumbnail for the video.

[@userx4286]

Fantastic educational video, hope you continue with such projects😁 I have already begun with two pieces to be given to a neighbor

[@bunyanforgings7849]

Awesome! An old pair of snap ring pliers for scroll work. That was what l did for my first pair. Although l have since switched to a pair with a 90 degree bend since they put less strain on my wrists. Amazing video, again. Cheers.

[@virtusleather]

Looks great John!

[@rbfcaf]

I really like the fact that none of the scrolls look exactly the same. That gives it caricature.

[@GypsyJvan]

I agree, sometime the coal forge is not worth using for alot of jobs..but, I still have mine..but I use the gas forge more.. nice project.. thanks.. ..Black Art Forge..

[@bagatur1023]

Very, very beautifull anvil, and good job!

[@TheJCJexe]

That looks very nice! 👍

[@andromedajacobson2520]

This is a beautiful piece! I love the spanish colonial style (I am from California, and it reminds me of home). As someone who forges too many forks, I wonder how different the hook would come out if you tapered the whole bar and then cut the lines for the scrolls. Maybe I'll try it myself if I have the time!

[@ga5743]

Super sweet hook this Sunday. I forgot to hit the like button before closing out so I came back to hit the button and leave a comment. Just wondering if it still counts for you John with this KZbin algorithm stuff? Enjoy your day. Thanks for the video.

[@BlackBearForge]

I appreciate that

[@davidlansing1870]

Nice work... thanks for sharing!

[@thorodinson1843]

I really like that hook I would buy some

[@ericwhitmire4610]

I saw a stylized tree and roots on the bottom for the hook.

[@brysonalden5414]

Love it! Oh, and I find using solder to measure my scrolls works well also, and allows some precision because it holds its shape.

[@BlackBearForge]

Great tip!

[@BlackHoleForge]

6:53 I was really impressed with your challenge. Those scrolls were fun to watch you make. I was tired from just watching you. And then I realized you were only halfway done with it. I tip my hat off to you John for doing such a challenge

[@christopherlahman2679]

Thanks!

[@BlackBearForge]

You bet! Thank you

[@garychaiken808]

Great job. Thank you 😊

[@russellparker57]

This is what I enjoy watching the most. I by far enjoy watching you fabricate a fine art piece. Keep up the good work.

[@Aminuts2009]

The last one of these i saw that I knew was old was a welded bundle. I don't think I could do that. Those old timers had some serious skills.

[@bobrees4363]

I like the scrollwork, but I think it would look better as a hinge finial as you suggested. Another thought is to make it layered by using different widths of steel for the scrolls, then welding or rivetting them together for the three D effect.

[@jtetra]

Beautiful ❤

[@AdamDeal-KF0PRI]

Very nice piece

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you kindly

[@AdamDeal-KF0PRI]

@@BlackBearForge your welcome john

[@user-fp6ex9wj9b]

You must have excellent spatial perception, in order to roll each stage of those to their own size and angle without measuring, or using some type of guide. Great work.

[@BlackBearForge]

Better than when I started, but not as good as I would like.

[@bigredbeard65]

Truly unique hook, I could tell that the metal was cooling rapidly, doesn't give much work time. You say that the scrolls aren't even and you need to practice, they look good to me, my wife really likes it. I can see ways to modify it to have more hooks on the bottom and even on the top or alter it into a very ornate hinge. Great project, thanks for sharing.

[@robsonsantosOSO]

Awesome!

[@hanspeterlippkau2642]

Hi. Nice drawing board you have. That's the backsmithing way of construction.😊

[@glencrandall7051]

I really like this piece of work. Very pretty.🙂🙂

[@AtholIronworks]

Looks great!!!! Thanks for the video.

[@DannyPoolMusicandMetalworks]

I would love to see that design made into a strap hinge, like you mentioned. I think horizontally, it could also look good made into a coat rack, with three hooks riveted into the center portion. Nice project idea, John.

[@flpmlks5181]

if you want to measure curved things, use a tin wire. it´s playable enugh, but holds shape.

[@stevelambert6404]

Good looking hook and that will make an awesome looking hinge for a beautiful door

[@carpetania47]

A great original piece made by a great blacksmith.. Thank you... Greetings from Spain 👏👏👏👏🇪🇸

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you like it!

[@kylejones9089]

Great video and great design. I've been watching it in the airport. After leaving my friends in Ohio. Troy and Eli of barr run forge. At the Gathering. Go check them out.

[@sherlock1159]

That’s so cool! The amount of skill that takes is unfathomable to me. Great work!!

[@murraywickes819]

I really like this one. Thankyou

[@BlackBearForge]

You're welcome 😊

[@martinu2725]

Looks amazing John

[@variacenavsiav9945]

Beautiful. 👍👍🙂🍀

[@Vikingwerk]

This project could likely be sped up by using your torch and gas saver, working in the vice with mainly scrolling tongs and forks? On an unrelated subject, on the woodworking channel Pask Makes, in his most recent video on building a coffee table, he tried out a little smithing, and showed a technique for what amounts to an upset 90° corner that I had never seen before. It seemed to be easier and quicker than all the upset 90 corner techniques i’ve seen, and I’m wondering if I’m missing something that would make it a poor choice. To explain what he did; he bent the piece over double on itself, then hammered back the fold to a symmetrical v point, which upset material into the fold, then opened the fold back up and tidied up the now square corner. This seems a lot easier and cleaner than hammering on the ends of the legs to upset material into the corner, which is what I’ve seen before. So my question is: is there a mechanical reason not to do it this easier way? It *looks* the same, but I wondered if I’m overlooking a cold shut or other weakness adding element.

[@mikelastname]

That is great - it was interesting to see how you managed the multiple scrolls without getting yourself in a tangle. Are those green handled tools scrolling pliers or have you re-purposed a circlip tool.

[@BlackBearForge]

They are sold by Blacksmiths Depot.

[@QuestView247]

You could use a plasma plotter to make a bunch then scrolle them.

[@BlackBearForge]

I thought about that, but it might make them too perfect. But for high production it would help.

[@DireWolfForge]

That one is a beauty! Inspired to give it a go on a project myself. I think the induction forge with the taco coil would make that a bit easier when I try. Thanks as always, big guy.

[@RaymondWKing-dn8wf]

Hi John, I have an Anvil Mandrel that a Late Fring Ota's made me on His Metal Lathe. Looking at this is giving me a bug, wondering how this might Work on my Anvil Mandrel,

[@G.S.W.SewmesomeMusic]

For building tongs and pliers what stock would you recommend found your channel today after building some plant hangers for my wife’s greenhouse i am enjoying watching your channel thanks.

[@BlackBearForge]

I usually use 3/4" square mild steel for tongs

[@rogert8859]

it could be a candle holder too.

[@BlackBearForge]

it would look very good as a candle sconce.

[@jasonscott7803]

👍✌️⚒️

[@BlackHoleForge]

0:22 hey do you drill holes in the bottom of those buckets?

[@JF-fx2qv]

I disagree; somewhat, with your point on needing to work ( develop the skill ) on matching the scrolls. Even if you developed an eye of an egle and precision of a machine, I feel the slightly off workmanship is far more desirable to the human mind’s eye / perspective than boring perfection. Hence, the very cool mismatch of viewer made & supplied cabinet draw handles -vs- the store bought we once had a difference of opinion over! So glad you’re open minded, it allows for the best creativity to flow. When you seemingly create a piece you’re passionate about over trying to satisfy viewers and produce content to stay relevant on YT it makes for the best videos for us viewers. Even if your creative choices are clearly heavily influenced by the region of the country you live in, and maybe some may not like it, there are always tips and take away’s from your videos. Keep sharing videos when you feel the need; you have a rock solid base that enjoys your content. Sunday’s with Black Bear Forge is a joy!

[@billhatcher2984]

This was the first time I saw the mechanical punch nice old piece of machinery what is it called

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats a Whitney punch and its only a few years old

[@fredfchopin]

What's that stand and table you have for your portaband? Is that something you made? I want something similar for my portaband and I've been struggling a bit with designing exactly what I want and then figuring out how to actually make it.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thats from Swag Off Road. Way better than my home made version. The switch is a router table switch I added

[@bjh4970]

I love the Harbor Freight Hercules “universal” band saw stand in my little shop; it’s a game-changer

[@michaelsims949]

What were the measurements for your cuts?

[@shortfuse43]

Yes, I would also like to know approx. what measurements/distances between the white measurement lines were, if you recall.

[@chrisnikitas9829]

Well what was for lunch???

[@BlackBearForge]

Ham sandwich and a bowl of mixed berries

[@joshmajor8662]

I just looked...... Holy shit John!! I won't throw ya under the bus in the comments with the price, but doesn't that seem WAY high for this?? I'm dead serious!! Is that actually a fair price for this small, decorative hook?? I love it but I think I'd ask $125-$150 myself and even that seems alittle high to me. Am I wrong?? Again, I'm asking a serious question, not trying to be cute, or funny, or disrespectful?? Just one not very experienced blacksmith to a highly experienced blacksmith.

[@BlackBearForge]

It does seem high, but I don't really think that it is. It is pretty common for a professional shops to charge $150 an hour for shop time (not to be confused with an hourly wage). This one took about 6 hours which would be way more than I'm asking. I really don't expect it to sell, at least not soon. But I have always made work that appeals to a low budget customer base, which is very limiting and will never allow for doing my best work. So by putting the extra time and effort in and pricing my work accordingly, I hope to start moving toward a customer base that has a considerably higher discretionary income. As an example, my most expensive fire poker sold for around $150. I have talked to higher end smiths that won't make a poker for less than $1,000. With more and more smiths appealing to the market for simple work, I see this as the time to up my game as a blacksmith

[@RyanBarnes]

Oh John!! I wanted to ask, and not sure how to do that directly, so im hitting up the comments. Do you have any projects we could do in time for mother's day??

[@BlackBearForge]

I think any of the hooks and most of the candle holder would be doable in time. But a rose might be a great gift. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/enKyqWSpq56Jgqcsi=-Nxra0dvyWNSsbJu