Blacksmithing - Forging power hammer / pickup tongs

[@johnmcclain3887]

Hi, I've been mechanic for fifty years, have a few old smithing tools from a house I lived in, and have forged my own occasional special tool, for most of these years. I'm retired now, with my own shop, in "farm country", and have learned a lot from this, and other videos. I've done some pretty rough and crude work, "good enough to do the job", but have been setting up to do it right, and this has been a great video, of exactly what I did wrong thirty years ago, forging a set of tongs, that have worked, barely, and will get "re-worked" next week, into a decent shape. Excellent technique, patience, hammer skill, a real pleasure to watch. Thanks for the enthusiasm, encouragement, and high standard of craftmanship!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks John! Much appreciated, good luck!

[@jordanthirion8186]

such nice skills here! you literally gave me the want to start forging! thanks million! :) i all ready made my forge and make a lift to an anvil from my grand father. and now because of you i want to make my own pickup tongues! thanks again mate :)

[@torbjornahman]

Great, Have fun!

[@davesalzer3220]

I could watch you work all day. It doesn’t even make me tired. Lol. Beautiful stuff.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Dave!

[@brucek6563]

I am so impressed on how precise in length and curvature you made the tongs. It amazes me! I could watch you make things for hours!! Great video!

[@Ogremanji123]

Torbjörn thank you. Please keep uploading. You are passing a lot of important wonderful knowledge and skill down to generations that really need to see these things.

[@torbjornahman]

+Ogremanji123 Thanks

[@idaho2ndgens240]

Another fantastic video. I really appreciate when you speed through the repeat sections and slow down for the details. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@torbjornahman]

+Idaho 2nd Gens Thanks!

[@jimrobb6325]

Recycling at its best. Very skilful drawing out the steel with the power hammer. Great work from a true Craftsman. Thank you.

[@Remowylliams]

Dear Sir, I wanted to thank you for your videos. I have admired the art of blacksmithing for a long time, and watching your videos, inspired me to take a teaser course at the Memphis Metal Museum. It was not a bad choice, I remembered many of the things you did in your videos and produced a forged hook that was by far the best in the group. And yet I'd never swung a hammer before that day to strike a red hot piece of mild steel. I will continue to enjoy your videos and learn as I can. I hope to find a someone with the equipment to further my interest, and much of it is thanks to you. I wish you a great life and joy Sir.

[@torbjornahman]

+Remowylliams Wow, thank you! I hope you manage to develop you interest! Good luck!

[@OlneyaTesota]

Watching Torbjorn is the best stress reliever.....Love the sweet sounds he brings out of the anvil. Jc

[@MustHarb]

it is very relaxing to watch no word no music just the sound of the forged matal

[@jsallerson]

All of your videos are so much fun to watch. It feels like I’m peering into the Middle Ages with an HD modern twist.

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@Mabaz]

i just love your videos, especially the sound, many people who make videos of blacksmithing think it's a great idea to put music, but that just kills it, nothing beats the good ol' sound of iron getting hammered that's why i really love your videos, and your craftsmanship is always a pleasure to watch!

[@torbjornahman]

+Jothunheim Thank you!

[@benjaminsantiago7802]

I always appreciate how clean and neat your work looks and these tongs were no exception. Thank you for sharing

You are a man of great talent, it's an honor for me follow you .

[@torbjornahman]

+André Tomazelli (Authentic) Thanks!

[@johnmitchell2796]

Watching you just makes me wanna be a blacksmith that only makes tongs

[@olliewoody3625]

I have been watching many blacksmithing videos and you my friend are truly a master at your craft. watching you and several others here have inspired me to start apprenticeship with a local blacksmith. keep the videos coming

[@torbjornahman]

+Ollie Woody That's great! I'll do my best...

[@golfpark2000]

I really like to see people working with their hands and head, great video's. Thank you !!

[@Rocketman88002]

Unbelievable hand forging! This is how they must have done it hundreds maybe thousands of years ago. The well controlled hammer blows quickly shaped the spring steel into a usable destruct proof pair of tongs.

[@Castle6064]

You have a most wonderful skill. The ability to forge metal is just fascinating. I could watch it all day long and the mech hammer is just awesome. To be able to make your own tools from someones else's scrap magic.

[@torbjornahman]

+Alan Byrne Thank you!

[@maxpuigpowell8630]

+Torbjörn Åhman will you make me a knife please

[@trollforge]

Watching this I was thinking these were a little bit "art for art's sake" but the anvil top demonstration proved to me that I NEED to make a pair. Beautiful work, as always!

[@torbjornahman]

+trollforge :) They will be useful I can tell, but this is my first pair and time will tell in what situations they come in handy.

[@johnjude2685]

Always plenty of skils to learn from your teaching Sir.. I'm literally know you are a best steel worker. Thanks for the teaching Your video teaching by showing Thanks

[@tomcarlson3244]

It really is a pleasure to watch all your video’s. This pare of tongs is a real nice design.

[@michaelbrigman3516]

Wonderful craftsmanship! Your attention to detail is that of a master.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@RickRabjohn]

Terrific!! You are a real blacksmithing pro - and I learn so much from your videos - congratulations and thanks.for sharing

[@torbjornahman]

+Rick Rabjohn Thank you!

[@Krillan62]

Helt fantastiskt rogivande att se på när Torbjörn smider.

[@torbjornahman]

Tack tack!!

[@thecrookedanvil]

nice square corner, along with everything else of course. you are truly a craftsman

[@torbjornahman]

+akagi333701550221k Thanks!

[@SKwoodsman]

Great! There are not many videos out there about making different types of tongs! Thank you, keep up the good work!

[@torbjornahman]

+SKW Bushcraft Thanks!

[@ElizabethGreene]

The trick at @3:50 for hammering to a specific thickness is pretty cool.

[@cphzoo28]

Such an impresive skills, both with the steel and the camera! Really thank you for your work!

[@torbjornahman]

+cphzoo28 Thanks!

[@JohnDoe-tg8st]

Bravo cher forgeron je vous tire chappeau tres beau travail et bien fini ! filicitation merci pour video .

[@jimmilne19]

Amazing craftsmanship. Beautiful work, lovely to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@sathiansathian9032]

Jim Milne

[@metingokbulut7261]

brother watching your video s another world I feel as if it is in your hands health God give you and your family healthy long life amine.

[@pjhalchemy]

It''s got to feel great for you to build such an excellent versatile tool...sure was great to watch you do it. Beautiful and artful work! Thanks for sharing your Craftsman/Artisanship with us! A real pleasure and learned a lot. ~PJ

[@torbjornahman]

+pjsalchemy We will see how versatile they are! This is my first of this kind, but I feel they will be a great addition to the shop.

[@brittisaacrossman]

Great work! Good to see you playing with your new toy, as well!

[@kallaret]

Tack för alla videos. Du får det att se så enkelt ut, men det är ju så när skickliga människor jobbar ☺. Ser framemot nästa video.

[@torbjornahman]

+kallaret Tack tack... Är alltid imponerande att se skickliga hantverkare in action. Tveksamt om jag räknas dit, men nått får jag ju gjort iallafall. :)

[@jordanmw94]

Yeeeeeees a new video. Thanks, Torbjörn, amazing as always.

[@torbjornahman]

+Jordan McIntosh Webb Thank you.

[@dwayneburbridge3283]

I finished building my power hammer 2 weeks ago...definitely need to forge this as my next project!

[@torbjornahman]

Cool!

[@newman1117sa]

Beautifully done, sir. Glad to see a new video.

[@keithwilson8459]

Beautiful set of tongs there Torbjorn.

[@outbackladas]

Very useful tongs, the innovative design makes them very versatile, top job again. Regards from “down under “.

[@iliyanlaskov4253]

Every video is a joy

[@johnearhart8811]

Excellent in every aspect. Loved it.

[@Japokat13]

It's raining here, I just programmed 10 hours of your videos into my chromecast 👍🏻

[@bvblacksmith]

Another excellent piece! Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[@WAGONJON]

What a dynamic build! So inspirational!!

[@giusante3472]

I just make this tong thank to this video and all instructions Thank you for your work

[@torbjornahman]

Great!

[@kwillheat]

Quite fascinating how over the course of all of the videos of yours that I have watched, your increase in skill is very noticeable. You are goo and getting better every video! Great work and great videos.

[@torbjornahman]

+kwillheat Thanks!

[@fraidunnabezada4482]

Das hast du sehr gut gemacht danke

[@sollie511]

Well that's another pair of tongs I need to forge. Great video as always! Thank you!

[@ronaldlapointe1219]

Torbjörn, you are a pro! 👍

[@wahyuwidodoshp]

Terima kasih pak Torbjorn atas video²nya... anda luar biasa sekali...

[@NullJolly02]

You make everything so perfect!!

[@tomcarlson3244]

Jonathan Eriksson I agree he really does.

[@wrgnstjnblgnwrn6162]

Jag har aldrig hållit på med smide, och kommer aldrig smida något själv. Men jag älskar dina videos. Tack för att du inte lägger någon sketen musik över dem.

[@torbjornahman]

+wrgnstjn blgnwrn Tack! Vem vet.. en vacker dag står du med släggan i handen :)

[@heldermatias6969]

Excelente sr. Torbjorn ahman.

[@DeceasedONE]

This is so awesome ! Beautifully done . Tack så mycket ! En sådan bra dokumentär .

[@torbjornahman]

+ᴺ ᶱ ᶯ ᶷ ᵐ Tack!

[@EduardoSVA]

Really very good job! So perfect tool! Congratulations!

[@chrisstoughton5560]

I really enjoy your videos. Please keep up the good work! I'm a fan.

[@lawrenwimberly7311]

nice work on them square corners... I know a lot of people who call themselves smiths who can't pull that off

[@dalerohwedder2368]

great tongs. I have alot of hand made tongs i use at work for forging i do. Keep up the good work.

[@ravil05081971]

Спасибо ,что показываешь свой опыт работы . Ваши наработки иногда помогают в моей работе . мне интересны ваши работы)

[@torbjornahman]

+равиль гарифуллин Thanks!

[@ravil05081971]

жду следующих ваших работ)

[@isku76]

Pretty nice demo, again. Especially that "How they work and what you can do (crab) with them-part".

[@pmi7696]

I love everything, except the plastic gloves. Wonderful forging!

[@deeryme7690]

Beautiful work, very relaxing to watch

[@algustosilva1528]

À propósito eu assisto seus vídeos sempre é estou aprendendo muito com você. Que Deus ilumine você e sua profissão

[@HASHHASSIN]

Another epic video, Thank you!

[@mjk8710]

Outstanding hammer skills enjoyed this content 🇬🇧👍🏻🇬🇧

[@Bezborodov_Nikolay]

Я восхищаюсь вашей работой. 👏👏👏👍

[@ziko88]

Beautiful work

[@badlt.5189]

Thanks for the video! They can't come fast enough! :)

[@torbjornahman]

+Dennis B Thanks :)

[@ianportter1257]

este tipo de trabajos son los que me hacen amar aun mas herreria...

[@ernestheiniger9110]

Great video as usual. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@robertv8851]

You make buitiful tools,love it

[@UlrichVIII]

amazing video and amazing technique! i love the making of new tools, thx for sharing!! greets from Chile ; )

[@torbjornahman]

+UlrichVIII Thank you!

[@curoimacdaire3630]

Amazing work as always! Thanks for sharing.

[@miguelschlieter851]

Excelente idea !!! Saludos desde Argentina

[@kanehunter23]

wonderful video and amazing work

[@jailsonmartins2928]

o mais perfeccionista Ferreiro q já vi parabéns você um grande mestre

[@Supercrewchief]

Very nice Torbjorn!

[@mihkelsaul1068]

Well done ! I think i must make myself a pair of those tongs - the look really practical.

[@nolangaudreau]

Holy crap. That anvil is enormous.

[@Negativenke25]

he has a nice one doesn't he?

[@kefkaZZZ]

16:03 makes me think of an excited dog waiting for the ball to be thrown.

[@joranviken390]

haha, you're right. The pneumatic hammers always look as if they are impatiently waiting! god bless

[@PRNadh]

excellent work done.

[@salomao1971]

A sua arte nos dá prazer,não fique tanto tempo sem postar videos,pois assisti-lós é um grande aprendizado e um deleite para os prazerosos na arte.

[@torbjornahman]

+Salomão Silva Oliveira Thanks.

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

Excellent as always!!

[@abasderasik3366]

from TRG Malaysia nice jobs

[@tiborwolf7952]

Schöne arbeit! Gratuliere!

[@Neraxia]

14:50 Nice , but why you had to spoil it with those V dents ....? 15:05 Question answered. Bows to you Sir.

[@polaris8126]

Very good video again! :) Thanks very much Torbjörn! :)

[@mr.morocco8032]

Always excellent .good luck .

[@aistisG]

as always a great job

[@enzod]

thank you your videos are very precious and appreciate. ciao enzo

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@s.a.3220]

как всегда великолепно!браво мастер!

[@CruiserMac]

Great craftsmanship !

[@Dyadko.Maksym]

Nice work!

[@Pavol-Pivka]

Good job. You're skillful.

[@Akenaton2223]

Parabéns mestre, parabéns, belo trabalho !

[@a.j.4338]

Perfect, I learned a lot , thank you!

[@leonchekk9]

Nice video Torbjörn as always. Could you please make a short video of your fire place and the blower you're using . Just like you did in the powerhammer video previously .

[@torbjornahman]

+Leon Temlin Might do that since several people have asked... it's nothing fancy though :)

[@TwistedIntentions79]

I can watch this for hours

[@voodoo8796]

That was fantastic!

[@morgan-jadeironworks8313]

I know the video has been up a while.....but just a thought. When you forged the up set corner on the jaw....you struggled with the steel bending between the corner you were forging and the end of the jaw where you were striking the steel to upset the corner. it may help to isolate the heat by quenching the jaw end down with in 1/2" of the corner. Also start upsetting at a 45 degree angle, once you have a good upset formed then you can complete the bend to 90 degrees and true it up......just a suggestion that may be easier for you. This tip was past on to me by my mentor and it made forging an upset corner much faster and simpler. As always thanks for your videos....

[@torbjornahman]

No quenching on this one, it's spring steel. Thanks anyway.

[@morgan-jadeironworks8313]

Torbjörn Åhman then you can use a torch to isolate your heat if your worried about quenching.