Blacksmithing - Forging a pair of bolt tongs

[@brucek6563]

Who ever taught you blacksmithing, should be proud of you. You have to be an artist and a mathematician to be as good as you are. There was a lot of work put into those tongs and they look perfect. Awesome!! Love your videos!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you Bruce!!

[@brucek6563]

@@torbjornahman You're welcome!

[@evgenyneo3377]

No doubt the best tongs making video on KZbin.I personally watch it each time i need a new pair of tongs made for my shop just to refresh the memory. Great respect!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@bascostbudde7614]

It's inspiring to see you address small problems before they become large. Riding a bike comes to mind: one makes small corrections all the time "in order not to fall", or "in order to drive straight", while the attention is on getting somewhere.

[@jonka1]

You made a beautiful tool with a lot of care. Lovely to watch you fashion the metal blow by blow. Thank you also for the natural soundtrack.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@markphillips3250]

Beautiful display of craftsmanship.

[@gfodale]

That has got to be some of the best hammer control I've seen in a you-tube video. Also, to those just starting out and watching this video, note the precision of the initial layout. He produced exactly what he intended without wasted material, or just being 'close' to what he had in mind. There are a few books out there that will teach you the math behind it. Kudos to you and your instructor Torbjörn.

[@torbjornahman]

gfodale Thank you very much!

[@Vikingwerk]

The precision you have punching the holes is amazing.

[@carlpbrill]

I love that sound CRUMPH CRUMPH ting ting CRUMPH. What a terrific video! I wish I'd seen it before I struggled through my first pair.

[@paulus281059]

An absolute work of art, if I can get my bolt tongs looking half as good as that, I'll be well pleased. What a great detailed visual tutorial this is and the one I am using as a guide for my bolt tongs. Great stuff Torbjörn.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thank you Paul!!

[@jojomama4787]

I watched this film many times then I would try to make the tongs and watch it again,I repeated this process quite a few times until I started making tongs I felt happy with...I really can't thank this man enough

[@torbjornahman]

Great!!! I'm glad you learned something from it. Thanks!!

[@alextrofimov7947]

Your attention to details is incredible! I'm not a blacksmith, but I feel like I learn a lot from you.

[@mkivy]

Such talent....my wife and I are mesmerized by your work...taking a raw piece of metal and making something beautiful and functional...

[@torbjornahman]

That's awesome, thanks!

[@tooterr102e.9]

The way you made it to fit square stock was really nice to watch. Thank you for sharing

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@davidsarnik5612]

Great Video! These are my favorite style of tongs and I have been watching how others make them to refine my process. Very impressed.

[@Soulsmithing]

Fantastic video! Lesson learned: plan well, take your time and do good work. Thank you so much!

[@kirkruiz12]

Nice job! I liked how you didn't just beat a pair out and ended the video you showed how to customize them to get a better fit for yourself and liking .

[@darlenefronsee7357]

worked in blacksmith shop BUTTE MT --1970--1975 Best years of my life;;; the old heads the best to learn from good storys .easy wayes to get job right the firstime;;;; LOVED THEM ALL

[@kensmapleleafretirement]

Thank you for sharing your techniques and skills with us. I am making my first pair of bolt Tongs this week, yes, I said this week I have the reins drawn out now and I am on day three. I am having a ball.... I am retired and in no rush...

[@torbjornahman]

:) Great!

[@keylock9064]

very, very nicely done the skill and craftsmanship in each tool his the heart and soul of the real iron worker.

[@torbjornahman]

Key Lock Thanks

[@KPutubing]

amazing. I really appreciate the craftsmanship. very well done video, easy to watch. I like how you show a bit in real time and then speed it up. good stuff.

[@trevorzzealley2670]

A wonderful craftsman at work . Practicing an ancient craft , whereby not only using the tools of trade , but making them as well . It completes a full circle .

[@akhandpratapsingh9717]

Dude your work is effortless, love to see how you do things with such ease.

[@ukemike1]

The thing that keeps impressing me is the level of precision he exhibits. Many of you have probably watched the show "Forged in Fire" where they have specs like, "the blade must be between 10 and 13 inches long and sometimes the contestants miss it. Torbjorn regularly makes items with millimeter precision.

[@paulschambach1231]

I forged this one together with a friend. It works awsome and your video was a great help.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Good luck with your next project!

[@Mclaughlin088]

I have one thought for you sir. Please make more videos? How about a hinge? Some woodworking tools like a chisel? I sat here and watched four straight videos. They are well edited and presented. No verbal commentary from you at all and still giving us some solid learning through your technique and craftmanship.. Keep up the good work! Thanx, Bubba

[@torbjornahman]

Mclaughlin088 Thanks! I will... currently a bit distracted by other things and rebuilding/reorganizing my shop. Installing a new power hammer....

[@dudemakesstuff]

Thanks for this video! I did 4 tries and I still can't get what I want. I got a good hint from your video: using the vice to hammer on the inner side of the jaw to get it more square. I see that you only use the rounded side of the anvil to refine the circle, not to make it, anothet mistake I was making: hammering like crazy on the rounded horn, steel slipping away continously. Thanks a lot :)

[@tristanpatterson3843]

So nice to look at some measurements that make sense. Love your videos.

[@robertpatrick1824]

Nice video. You could hardly be inspired by a better smith and person than my late friend, Toby. Any smith is honored in memory by things you learn from them. Toby would be proud of you!

[@torbjornahman]

Robert Patrick Thank you! RIP Toby.

[@gregiep]

I never thought I'd think tongs were sexy until I took up hobby blacksmithing. Good work, man!

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks

[@WUNDER8AR]

I admire your work! I work as a blacksmith, yet in our workshop we'd probably drill the holes for the rivets and make the cuts on the tip with the angle grinder. Provided that I could convince my boss to let us make our own tongs in the first place instead of buying some at the blacksmith supplier. It's a shame really when even the old blacksmith says it's not worth it just buy it elsewhere. But I'll get there eventually. Will be making my own collection of tongs some day and you're a great inspiration!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! It's ok to take some shortcuts if it does not affect the end result I think. Only thing to note when grinding or drilling is that you remove material and might need to compensate for that.

[@Big222Dog]

Really nice work. Don't know why some people gave this a thumbs down, I wish I had them. I like your style. I don't have a power hammer , but once I am better at forge welding I forge weld on the arms. Thanks for sharing.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks

[@Snafu6996]

This design is the strongest I have seen and a interesting method of using flat bar for fabrication.

[@gomadoe]

You are truly a great in the art of blacksmithing . I love your videos . Thank you for the hours of beautiful creations.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@ScabbyCrab]

I'm a blacksmithing student and your videos are so helpful.

[@torbjornahman]

Great!! Thanks

[@ScabbyCrab]

No, thank you!

[@Taranis00]

I've never seen anyone draw the design directly on the anvil, that's pretty cool. Very good video all around.

[@TheRicchini]

Really incredible craftsmanship. Those tongs will still work 500 years from now. Really inspiring video, the quality of the craftsmanship is just superb. Bravo.

[@torbjornahman]

TheRicchini Thanks!

[@FamilyFriendlyBushcraft]

Love the attention to detail even in "simple" tongs. With nobody to learn from round here I made my first set from precut stock and find your video's invaluable for learning. I don't have the power hammers and heavier kit but learning lots.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool, thanks!

[@periolim345]

UMA OBRA DE ARTE! NA VERDADE QUANDO VI A INTRODUÇÃO DO PARAFUSO, ACHEI QUE IRIA TIRAR O OBJETIVO DO FAZER SEM SOLDAS OU EMENDA, MAS FOI SÓ PARA AJUSTAR A PEÇA, INTRODUZINDO O ARREBITE FICOU CLARO ISSO. MUITO LEGAL!

[@pbbvpht4833]

this particular film showed quite a few techniques I am wanting to make use of,thanks!

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks

[@Escumbuit77]

Thanks, ....inbetween you have become my blacksmith teacher :-)))

[@almarodriguez3158]

Hola Torbjorn!!! muy agradecida con tus vídeos!!! son bellisimos!!! Eres un excelente artesano y el compartir la manufactura de tus herramientas es extraordinario!!! muchas, muchas gracias!!! que Dios te siga llenando de inspiración!!! te envió un gran abrazo desde nuestro bello México!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you very much Alma!!

[@АндрейВинничук-в3у]

Good work, good forging tongs.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@pablosaro8686]

Excelente Video. Gracias por compartir su conocimiento. La herramienta quedó muy bien lograda.

[@torbjornahman]

Pablo Saro Thank you!

[@RoleyChiu]

can't stop watching these videos.

[@williamsampson5319]

you are a very skilled blacksmith I have just started forging and you have helped me greatly i love your videos

[@torbjornahman]

William Sampson Thank you, glad to hear that.

[@stoll7726]

Can I like this video every time I watch it? You do an awesome, neatly executed job. Very inspirational for apprentice blacksmiths

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@TheLazyGuyWay]

A true craftsman, so far the best I've seen on YT...

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you! :)

[@karlos1008]

Loved this. Great work. I'm looking at learning blacksmithing as a hobby. It's always fascinated me. For now though I'll just go watch all your vids haha

[@torbjornahman]

Karl Black Ha ha, thanks!

[@lenblacksmith8559]

I just keep watching this video, it's pure craftsmanship and such an eye for detail. I am attempting my first bolt tongs and if they're half or quarter as good as yours i'll be happy...hahah.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!! Hope you get lucky!

[@opforgeron]

Nice video. Very nice tip with the spring c-clamp for holding and balancing the tong while you split the end. I should do that next time I I will forge a new pair of tongs.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@marciofernandobarci]

Beautifull/ great - you show perfectly the correct sequence of work...your knowledge is superb congratulations

[@torbjornahman]

Marcio Fernando Barci Thanks!

[@djay6651]

There is something aesthetically pleasing to the look of hammered iron......

[@karthickvaikai]

DavidSixSixFive

[@coen8323]

DavidSixSixFive steel*

[@stillenacht8518]

BLACKDOG Ha! I actually lawled.

[@klausmoser796]

Hllo

[@exilfromsanity]

Great work, a pleasure to watch. Thank you for publishing this.

[@АндрейВинничук-в3у]

Very, very good work !!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@joaomarioguerra4395]

Excellent Tool, congratulations on the job!

[@xylemmelyx]

I'm a little bit late to the party here, but my god, you do such beautiful work. Thanks.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@scottjosen2606]

Torbjõrn, Just got anvil and though I've beat on much cold steel over the years, I look forward to forging hot steel. Your videos are extremely well made and you craftsmanship suberb! Thanks!

[@torbjornahman]

Sounds great! Thanks

[@RonRay]

Best set I've ever seen made!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Ron.

[@Albinnelson]

Espectacular!!!! Me encantó, es un trabajo muy interesante, felicitaciones, aprendí mucho. Gracias!!!

[@aaron.shafer]

I thought this project was doomed -- just about halfway through the video -- but these are great. Good work. I may try this same technique.

[@TomCraigCanvasHost]

Absolutely fantastic work. Excellent! Thank you for making th videos.

[@henryhamilton9574]

I'm glad you offset the reins. A good 3/8 or 1/2 inch rivet. Nicely done video and fun to watch forging. Best regards from a Canadian smith.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

I just missed my lunch time watching this... Great job!

[@KikoTheLumberjack]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@DavideServolini]

amazing tools... seems a piece of art from the past

[@bescheniy]

Видео просто супер , как учебное пособие для начинающих .Огромное спасибо!!!!!!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Человек Разумный Thanks!

[@hectormelella6542]

excellent quality forging a tweezers first, thank you very much.

[@swords9023]

Very cool. I still have yet to make my own tongs. I need to get on that.

[@marty01957]

Thanks , Torbjörn Åhman! Very good video.

[@rocketman13f51]

I noticed on your large anvil that there is an indentation on the top left side approximately half way between the butt of the anvil and the tip of the horn. It appears that is your “sweet spot” on the anvil and it is on the opposite side from where you stand to work. It doesn’t appear to be a cut in, so I guess after tens of thousands of strikes by your hammer you have molded the anvil to your needs. Great work !

[@torbjornahman]

:) No I simply rounded off that part since there were some damage to the edge there when I got it. I like to forge on that rounded part. A sharp edge is 95% unusable.

[@seanwalton6208]

Inspiring. I hope to reach that level.

[@dougepple4388]

This makes me want to learn how to do this. Nice work bud!

[@joshtaschuk2153]

Nice Work and I learnt a couple things watching your work, thanks for sharing!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you! I'm glad you did.

[@mauriciodeiana1111]

EXCELLENT! Hälsningar från Mar del Plata, Argentina.

[@kablhamez5130]

i love those cut off jeans. Gotta get some good air flow to the "boys"

[@munckmb]

Very good forging and camera work! Thank you!

[@torbjornahman]

+munckmb Thank you!

[@ΜιχαληςΜιχαλης-θ5π]

Great craftsmanship . I love these kind of videos ...

[@vgbelov13]

Отличная работа!👍👍👍

[@prospecting3826]

Great work and splendid workmanship good on ya.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@Deliveryboxx]

Looks like you got a pretty cool shop...you should take a video of your set-up

[@MarkAspery]

Very nice.! Thank you for showing this... and for mentioning Toby.

[@torbjornahman]

+Mark Aspery Thanks Mark! Your books and videos have been a great source of inspiration!

[@aryabima6076]

What

[@noctismortis7349]

@@aryabima6076 "wHaT" He read that guys book dumbass

[@pascalgrenon2955]

Super travail de forgeron bravo 👍👍👍

[@MarkThomas123]

A precision pair.. Nice Job Torbjorn.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Mark.

[@smartypants5036]

Great watch, Very good tool to keep afterwards.

[@shane-3170]

Great craftsmanship

[@eskileriksson4457]

När du smidde ut klorna efter fyrkantsstålet blev det tummen upp& sub direkt. Snyggt!

[@torbjornahman]

Eskil Eriksson Tack!

[@ironheadforge5382]

Couldn't help but subscribe... Very clean work.

[@maplebones]

I made a set these, 1/4" to 1", but I used 9/16" round coil spring stock. As forged, they are stronger at half the weight .

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Yes coil spring is nice! Only drawback is you can't quench the tongs when red hot!

[@redman42s7]

Oh I must have totally passed that part up. I use round stock normally 5/8. 3/4 butt the way you do it i really like thanks for the info

[@torbjornahman]

No problem. As usual there are always different ways to the same goal.

[@TemplarX2]

Great craftsmanship.

[@thedeadhate]

i just finished my bolt tongs ;) thank u very much for this realy usefull tutorial.

[@torbjornahman]

+thedeadhate Great!

[@jasonkluver327]

I do such an amazing job on your products

[@irfanyang7343]

You do great work, there's a lot of skill and knowledge involved. I like watching your videos so I've subscribed. Keep it up!

[@TheRjjrjjr]

I enjoyed every minute of this, thank you!

[@ramacho2003]

Muy bonito tu trabajo felicidades lo voy a tratar de hacer saludos desde Costa Rica.

[@torbjornahman]

rafael calderon d Thank you!

[@wolfparty4234]

Those are the nicest bolt jaw tongs on KZbin!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@ericseegers6038]

Such quality work you do! Great job man.

[@terapode]

Your videos are so entertaining!! You are as good as a videomaker than as a blacksmith.

[@СергейРожкин-и2я]

Произведение искусства , шедевр ! Я с экрана мобильного вижу как легко держать заготовку такими клещами .

[@diggingblacksmith]

Great work Torbjörn! Thanks for sharing