Blacksmithing - Forging a flatter

[@Odin029]

I know absolutely nothing about blacksmithing, but it is a treat to watch a master craftsman at work.

[@elzorro9987]

It is so rewarding just to watch this kind of craftsmanship in action. I can only imagine how much more so it is for you in actually doing it. Great work.

[@torbjornahman]

ElZorro99 Thank you! Yes it's a special thing to make your own tools!

[@Dunko12]

I love watching black smithing videos

[@jusuttajah]

Must feel great to use tools that you have made.

[@papuette]

I feel like the artist is traying to show his work, and bunch of artists are opinioming about how he should do his work.Mister Torbjorn, your work is great. Thanks for the show.

[@joshuarosen6242]

There is something enormously appealing about someone taking a lump of wood or metal and using nothing but a few tools and a lifetime's skill, turning it into something useful. Thank you, I enjoyed watching you make that.

[@torbjornahman]

+Joshua Rosen Thank you!

[@killerkane1957]

Once again, your work is poetry in metal. It takes a flatter to make a flatter. Outstanding and inspirational. Thank you and keep working!

[@torbjornahman]

KillerKane Thank you very much! It doesn't take a flatter to make one but the cleanup of the face is easier done! :)

[@mkivy]

I could watch this all day...I don’t know what it is about watching talent such as urs! Thank u sir...

[@toonybrain]

Mike Ivy It’s the lure of excellence. One knows it when one is in its presence.

[@Mayo-Lord]

I didn't know a flatter could look so damn majestic, but you pull it off.

[@Psychentist]

It's so good to FINALLY see a smithing video where the smith has the damn sense to wear ear protection!!!

[@LordWurmz]

I came across this video randomly, but, it has deeply enriched my day. Thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@torbjornahman]

Matthew Freeland Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@verdatum]

I have no idea how I haven't subscribed to you until now. There are only a handful of smiths making really genuinely good quality videos on YT, and you're clearly one of them, and have been for years now. KZbin really needs to get better at matching content creators to interested viewers. Still, better late than never; glad I finally came across your channel!

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thank you!!

[@karenmaldonado1885]

verdatum i

[@nihathurkal3119]

verdatum h

[@georgecroney6168]

I just found the guy TODAY, yt can be really bad at recommendations

[@robg7704]

What a great video, I'm a toolmaker of 25 years, and Black smithing is so impressive, This is truly a beautiful skill. I want to start trying this.. Thank you again, you are truly inspiring for entry level people like me

[@torbjornahman]

Robert Gibb N1RLU Thank you very much! Glad you liked the video. Hope you try out some hammering in the future.

[@MuhammadImran-yq1qn]

You feel very joy when you use your tools by your own hands made.

[@mojjaba]

I am impressed by your craftsmanship. I was glued to your video watching every aspect of your working that piece of metal. Now I know what it took our forefathers to forge those impressive metal tools that help build our country. As I watched you making the hole for your handle I thought why not just drill it, I did not know another way. Thanks for the video.

[@torbjornahman]

***** Thank you! The real beauty of punching and drifting a hole instead of drilling is that nearly no material is lost. It just moves to the sides, which makes it almost as strong as it were without a hole.

[@TomGlander]

I usually don't watch entire videos on YT... this one was an exception because of its exceptional quality and content. Learned more watching this than I've ever learned reading about the process. Thank you. Powerful stuff.

[@torbjornahman]

Tom Glander Thank you very much!

[@thaGkillah]

Torbjörn Åhman Don't you have to secure that wood on that Iron with a ring or screw on the top, so it streches there and gives it maximum of grip?

[@torbjornahman]

thaGkillah For top tools (struck tools) like this you don't need a fancy handle, and it's not wedged in place. Should be easy to replace and the loose fit does not transfer so much of the vibrations

[@thaGkillah]

This information was very helpfull! You got a very good point. One more question if I may. For example the flat part of that Iron. It looks incredibly nice (almost industrial grade), but i am asking myself how to make the surface of the flat part even more clean and flat like computer processor heatsinks without scratches. Is that even possible for a black smith?

[@torbjornahman]

thaGkillah A larger exactly planar surface might be tricky without machining, but you can get a mirror finish without problem.

[@supernewuser]

You sir, have just earned yourself a subscriber.

[@beaal5641]

beautiful work! Amazing how much work goes into what at first glance seems like the simplest tool.

[@Woozeesh]

Great video. Shows blacksmithing as a very refined craft versus a backyard hobby.

[@Mulletmanalive]

Watching you wail on that steel with a sledgehammer makes me so unreasonably happy

[@azashukri5322]

Amazing work sir! Your attention to details and your patience with the piece is outstanding! Thank you.

[@torbjornahman]

Aza Shukri Thank you!

[@DannyProton]

Duuude, that was excellently made! You should be really proud of yourself!

[@sandraohr2730]

The Space Kitten Commander

[@frankdosantos1]

You sir are a master craftsman, it's a pleasure to watch you work. Thank you.

[@mortarsquad12]

I have been checking my subs everyday for a new video of yours... Best video yet!

[@torbjornahman]

adam anthoni Thank you!

[@Keifsanderson]

Under the video window, next to the "unsubscribe" button, you can click on the "settings" gear and check the box to be notified when new uploads are posted. You get a nice email every time something pops! Cheers.

[@mortarsquad12]

SWEET~

[@lordskorpius1971]

Sir, I love watching you work. It's my go-to asmr relaxation videos. Well done sir, well done!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you Gerald!

[@sacmis19]

that accuracy, hit by hit

[@SquirrelsForAll]

Just fantastic! You make this look so easy, but your skill level is certainly beyond most craftsmen. Thank you for sharing.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@MJFAN666]

Looks so beautiful!! Work reallly paid off!

[@gamccoy]

I really enjoyed watching this. That's hard work! But the result was truly beautiful. I know nothing about blacksmithing but can admire the work of those who do.

[@tylerstiff8]

I know nothing about blacksmithing but damn.. that was entertaining.

[@terapode]

tyler stiff Agreed. So entertaining.

[@paulofurtado4925]

tyler stiff im not the only one then .... looking at great stuff that i know nothing about!!

[@naesatt]

+jack arkell It is rather addicting, isn't it?!? My brain won't stop thinking about all the useful stuff I can make now! =D

[@balabhaidholakiya1566]

@@terapode જા

[@ROGUPA]

Mr. I found the quality of your job very remarkable and even hard to believe. Such an incredible dedication and commitment to achieve perfection. Congratulations.

[@torbjornahman]

Oh, thank you!!

[@dylanhowell9635]

screw a gym membership, im just going to start blacksmithing! very creative, very smart.

[@OstrichesSmell]

I'm a woodworker and I know nothing about smithing. This was really cool! Looked like fun.

[@torbjornahman]

Pat Cyr Thanks! It is fun, you have to try it out some day.

[@girliedog]

very nice, loved watching this process and the finished product is beautiful

[@radbcc]

Excellent design, engineering, craftsmanship, and fabrication. Thanks...

[@pjhalchemy]

Really enjoyed watching your processes and techniques without all the fluff and jabber. Artisanship like this feels like its being lost today, thank you for continuing it and sharing your fine work with us. I am curious what RB material you started with and why? Thanks Much! ~PJ

[@torbjornahman]

pjsalchemy Thank you very much! "RB material"? Do you mean the clay thing?

[@pjhalchemy]

Torbjörn Åhman You are Most Welcome! Sorry I should have said the Round Bar material you started with...ductile iron, G2 gray bar, steel?? and why that material? Thanks!

[@torbjornahman]

pjsalchemy Ah, ok. It's steel. For this one I used an odd custom steel which I think is closely related to AISI A514. Easy to forge but hardened it's pretty tough stuff. I got some pieces for free so... You need a fairly hard surface but at the same time tough and not brittle. Any heat treated medium carbon steel would work fine for a project like this. Gray bar or cast iron is not forge-able and the brittle properties would not work either. And for a casting to work it would have to be cast steel.

[@pjhalchemy]

Torbjörn Åhman Thank you for more lessons. I didn't know that about gray bar or ductile iron, but should have thought more carefully. I can see from the properties of the various forms of A514 you can achieve your goal of toughness but not brittle especially for a flatter being struck by another hammer. Many years ago I build a forge from a truck brake drum and tried some small projects but never spent enough time to get solid with the techniques...been thinking about doing it again though for a couple of projects. Thanks Again!! Look forward to seeing more of your Fine work.

[@damann112]

Really like the Calculations to figure out how much steel is needed. Nice job on the whole video and Hammer

[@torbjornahman]

damann112 Thanks!

[@tdavote4owen]

I don't know why, but for some reason, I think black smithing is cool

[@generico366]

The reason is because it's fucking awesome.

[@TrevorPhillips2024]

I'm guessing you also like digging and like the idea of hunting

[@woodhog4154]

+Ethen Rosas What is wrong with digging and hunting? At least I could survive if ever caught in a disaster or the SHTF scenario.

[@IMatchoNation]

+qwerty 11716 Isn't it iron-ic, don't you think?

[@nextlifeonearth]

+Landroverdude101 If my dad works at Ford it won't be adopted in his genes. Unless there's a society where everyone with a specific gene only is able to work at Ford and thus survive unlike the people who don't, there is no such thing. I'm taking this way too seriously. Smithing is cool and it ain't my genes saying that, it's smithing itself.

[@reedcooper1138]

Beautiful craftmanship!! Although in the beginning the long handle on that sledge made me nervous, I made that mistake 30+ years ago and I still hurt remembering that!! Love your flatter die giving beautiful radiuses for strong tool! Thanks

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! :) I probably should shorten it a bit....no accidents yet though.

[@Turin-Fett]

23 and finally decided to go to college. Studying biology because it will get me a "good job" truth is I fucking hate it, and I wish I was doing something like this. Exactly this actually. But as my father told me, "artwork wont pay the bills." Someday my college degree will pay for me to beat on steel. I miss shopwork and using my hands to create things. Tired of pencils and keyboards. Anyway, I have really enjoyed watching your videos. I like seeing the steel come to life. You do a very good job, and I hope one day I can do the same.

[@torbjornahman]

pepr8picante I do the keyboard thing professionally so this is a good contrast to that.

[@matthiasofgondor]

Talk about upsetting. You are a champion! all those sledge blows to upset the flatter into it's final shape. I love making things like that, requiring sweat equity and hard work, it makes me remember all the effort I put into it's creation when I then use it

[@torbjornahman]

Matthew Fraser Thanks! Yes, it forms a special bond between the tool and the maker :)

[@howiewolowitz6842]

Smithing level 100

[@Nox·Corvus01]

was that a runescape pun

[@Logie-lx3qc]

Skyrim.

[@brandonedwards1181]

Logan Kaan God bless skyrim

[@Nox·Corvus01]

+Logan Kaan once I said runescape it made me feel old

[@Logie-lx3qc]

Ozm8ey Plays Yep, Runescape was good part of my childhood.

[@Zeemike1]

A great video...shows the skills of the blacksmith and how impressive they are. And I knew little about that trade.

[@craftedworkshop]

If only metal was as easy to work as that clay.... :)

[@idontuploadjustwatch]

if you get metal hot enough, you can mild it like clay, but only once

[@sheezy3962]

Mercury? Maybe not.

[@Scugzerker]

@@idontuploadjustwatch You can even use your hands at that stage... also only once.

[@seabears_hate_circles]

Ahh vernier calipers, or as I call them "very near" calipers. You do great work, I can watch your videos multiple times and get the same entertainment and education I got the first time. You are a true craftsman.

[@torbjornahman]

LoadedMod94 Thanks!

[@gregfarley5737]

What a great idea to use clay to practice before actually making it from metal.

[@owendavies5565]

Coal dust. You answered the question in my head as to what you use when punching a hole. Thanks

[@Helsling]

Uses a flatter to flatten a flatter. Yo I heard you like flatters.

[@albertowilliams8740]

+Helsling Brainexplode.exe

[@nommy8599]

+Alberto Williams I didn't think it deserved that much flattery.

[@kevinmeijer2913]

Brain.exe stopped working. Reason: mind blow

[@victorbitter583]

+Helsling the joke fell flat on some.

[@waffelmonster3049]

+Helsling yeah, he stressing it by using a manual flatter as well.

[@mikesheppard6810]

Beautiful work. That flatter is a piece of art.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@davisx2002]

Well done Son of Odin

[@Snafu6996]

I do like this video in that it shows how the tool can be made using round stock and construction of a swage tool for ease of construction and for upsetting the face of the tool. I my self might have started off with a square bar and heated then upset one end then use the swage tool to forge the face. The reliving of the internal edges of the swage tool to larger radii makes for a tool that not only looks good but is less prone to edge fracture. Well made sir!

[@80spodcastchannel]

beautiful smithing...that is almost too nice to use now..

[@Wildman4910]

Very nice, there's nothing like tools you've made yourself. My hats off to you sir.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Yes that is nice... and you can only blame yourself if they break or don't work as they should. :)

[@tomasmerino1039]

Sadly, to forge a flatter you need... a flatter. Great video anyway, the smithing is incredible!

[@torbjornahman]

Tomas Merino Thank you! You don't need a flatter, it just makes the grinding easier. If you're careful you can make a pretty flat surface with just a hammer.

[@tomasmerino1039]

I can imagine but I'm pretty new at blacksmithing, slowly gahering the tools, mostly for knifemaking but already forged a pair of tongs, not perfect but handy ^^ The thing I need the most is a belt grinder, files are slow and if the technique is bad the result won't be even, I can tell by experience lol

[@torbjornahman]

Cool. Belt grinder is on my list too! Quite expensive buggers...looking for a used one.

[@tomasmerino1039]

Yeah, really expensive... I'm thinking about making one myself, there's some really good over internet and you can save good money

[@torbjornahman]

That's always an option!

[@sam10685]

I love watching your video's over and over again.

[@torbjornahman]

Very cool!

[@darrenneblett5234]

Its like sewing for tools

[@martowasserman5553]

wow. you are an unbelievably skilled blacksmith, congrats! i bet you got decades of experience.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! No, just a couple of years....

[@jazspersilverraven9800]

to make a flatter, use a flatter

[@chartle1]

which came first the flatter or the flatter. :)

[@gr1nder07]

Cliff Hartle the later

[@DaisiesofHate]

You'd probably just grind it flat if you didn't already have a flatter.

[@jttech6834]

You could simply put a half inch plate on top and hit it with a hammer.

[@jmyers9853]

i don't know which i am more jealous of, your power hammer or the swedge block. i already have a flatter

[@ad5304am]

Dobra robota.Dziękuję i pozdrawiam!

[@jhimysanchez1875]

The best thing about these videos is that you learn both in theory and practice

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@Bastardoplus]

14:12 Muttley's laugh

[@KamDaOrcuh]

Sidney Morais LOLOLOL

[@gonzaga2418]

Kkkk bem por aí

[@AFGaskillJr]

Nicely put together video, I wil watch this one a few more times before I try my hand at a flatter

[@Atristiel]

I thought that one's supposed to drive some sort of a wedge into the top of the wooden dowel to make it expand, holding the metal better.

[@torbjornahman]

Atristiel For top tools (struck tools) like this you don't need a fancy handle, and it's not wedged in place. Should be easy to replace and the loose fit does not transfer so much of the vibrations.

[@edgarmilson8686]

I will not be happy until I have watched all of your videos. Great work! Nice Flatter....

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks

[@sergiomdp2002]

If you use a flatter to flat a flatter, how do you make the first flatter of all?

[@torbjornahman]

+Sergio Ariel Díaz Díaz :) You just grind or file it flat.

[@richardwills3927]

adam an eve

[@sergiomdp2002]

***** So hardcore.

[@overmanonfire]

It was amazing watching you create that peace of Art, thanks for shearing !

[@alex46215]

this video should be named How to make a Flat head screw driver.... THE MANLY WAY

[@benmcdrury636]

Clay demo is actually really good idea for testing good job

[@lrmodranoel]

Very beautiful

[@Trebor359]

That. Was. Incredible. Truly amazing work.

[@roman.venica]

14:43 Honey, I'll make the dinner today!

[@xsbiggy6349]

Thanks to your inspiration, i will be picking up my new anvil in two weeks and my sons and I are building a forge right now.

[@torbjornahman]

Brandon Waterman Thanks! Great to hear. Good luck!

[@harharhar6525]

How to make a round peg fit into a square hole.

[@waxyTOOL]

Absolutely beautiful. I love watching talent in action forging vintage tools. Good Video.

[@lmeza1983]

Very good job but it looks painfully expensive to make one of these.

[@CoffeeGoblyn]

Luis Fernando The main expense is time and effort! :D

[@bradleyhamilton4409]

+MichaelKingsfordGray I agree! Tools such as this have so much more worth than anything you can buy off a shelf.

[@toddavis8603]

I make wood handles on the shaving horse from time to time. I love the way you punched thru hot iron, for wood handle!

[@miraakapocrypha733]

6:26 you make a flatter using a flatter :)

[@xxxItchyxxx]

Thanks for showing us this work process! Very interesting, that's craftsmanship!

[@ivanbluet48]

This is literally Törbjorn's hammer! (overwatch pun)

[@braiansingh9730]

BlockBuster_48 i understood that reference!

[@Klunken16]

Not a pun

[@zennmaximu3218]

being a blacksmith sure is a hard work

[@mikkelgran9689]

can you make a Q&A ?

[@TheTornor]

static.communitytable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hot-dog-ftr.jpg

[@mikkelgran9689]

PLZ i am biggest fan EUW

[@torbjornahman]

Mikkel Gran Hmm, I don't know... What do you want to know?

[@mikkelgran9689]

How did you feel when Northug won the five mile? ;)

[@torbjornahman]

Mikkel Gran Terrible... but that's pretty irrelevant. :)

[@deegeeooh]

beautiful craftmanship and an excellent video to show it !

[@Isalys555]

There's something of erotical in this video. A big thumbs up for the great blacksmith you are. Thanks for the video!

[@ImineResveratrol]

Erotic*

[@MrKirby2367]

I sat mesmerised for 17.13 min. Great job!

[@torbjornahman]

Bloodaxetheirritable Haha. Thank you!

[@remige2006]

Why am I so much excited when I see a very red hot piece of iron? ( may be it is the devil inside of me who says: "Finally! out of there..."

[@workinalday4351]

Great video, a tremendous amount of work that was put into forging that. Glad you made this, my son has been asking me to make a forge, he want's to try to forge a sword, so I figured I would forge an old style war hammer at the same time. This video gives a little reality slap regarding how much it takes to work steel. Thank you for making and posting this.

[@torbjornahman]

Workin Alday Nice to hear! Forging swords and "war hammers" are not exactly beginner projects though :) I would advice to start off small scale and work your way up, or else you would probably get discouraged fast.

[@torbjornahman]

Ian Lynch Nope! The problem really is that most of it is just fantasies :) Very little is based on techniques or limitations of the real world. It might look cool but totally worthless in function.

[@williamdetempolivre]

what usualy you do to the metal shavings that are left of a cut or hammering?

[@torbjornahman]

Not much...

[@williamdetempolivre]

So, they are pretty much useless?

[@torbjornahman]

William de Tempo Livre If you refer to "scale" that falls off hot steel, that's iron oxide. Can't do much with that. Theoretically you could reduce it to iron again in a bloomery furnace...

[@williamdetempolivre]

Hum... I understand

[@bernardopatino6263]

I really like this video transports me to a special time, the colors of the steel when you mold it I see everything in effects that inspire me to pass them to the canvas that is the best I can do.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool. Thanks

[@MarkRobertCuthbert]

Metric all the way - get rid of quarter this and 8/16 that. Metric is Easier and Simpler. 10 mm, 100 mm, 1000 mm (all 10's = Easy)

[@lol49031]

not all the time

[@lol49031]

+Haeral imperial can be more accurate at times since the spaces between the unit is bigger and i dont have to adjust the ruler as much, sides its harder to guesstimate 1m vs 1ft, metric is useful when ur drilling holes cuz den u don nid to have 2 different sets of bits, anyways are u all that bad at fractions?

[@lol49031]

+Haeral its easier to place the instrument accurately since there will be less parallax error when u have bigger divisions

[@lol49031]

+Haeral im saying you will have less parallax error with bigger divisions since the divisions are further apart so you wont misread them, i may just be a blind fuck tho

[@adamcarson6294]

sainglain are you a dumbass because the whole industrial world uses imperial

[@garyevans5335]

Another great video, thanks! I particularly liked the bit where you are filing the face flat, just the sort of thing I had to do as exercises when I was an apprentice. However in those days I would not have to spend too much time "crowning" and "chamfering" the faces I was trying to get flat 🤣

[@krillansavillan]

4:17 Super Smash Bros!!

[@hasdrubal121]

I liked the vid. I thought the way you sped up certain parts was good as it showed the whole process as well as cutting down on the view time. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your vids. Thanks for sharing.

[@wam3d]

Congratulation. Excelent work. Please help me with a question... I want to bend a 1/2 iron bar, but the circle is too close, is 3.5 cms diameter, and the bar is too short. ¿How do you will bend the bar? I attach a pictur of the bar. i.imgur.com/pu0qPQw.jpg Thanks.

[@torbjornahman]

+Alejandro Arias Thanks. I don't quite understand what you're trying to do. Are you making a new part and use the yellow as pattern, but the yellow has too small rings? You need to calculate the length needed quite accurate first.

[@wam3d]

+Torbjörn Åhman Thanks for answer me. No, i need to bend the bar like the yellow template. :)

[@torbjornahman]

***** Ok, I would measure and calculate the length first and then form the eyes/rings on each end first, then bend the rest, I think.

[@wam3d]

+Torbjörn Åhman Thanks, i will try.

[@SEVERS72]

Hi! I respect people who are able to work qualitatively hands!

[@ishmailvladimir]

How did you make the flatter that you used to make the flatter though? o_0

[@nathandonoho4660]

+Ishmail Vladimir - Same steps, save making the actual piece flat, instead of using a flatter you would use the face of your anvil. Consolidate heat to that specific spot and lay it face down on the anvil, strike the hammer end and it will make that portion flat.

[@charlesissleepy]

+Ishmail Vladimir how did the first blacksmith forge his first hammer and anvil? *o_0*

[@nathandonoho4660]

+charlesissleepy The first thing mankind used.... Was rocks.... They used rocks... And as technology progressed, so did the metals used and the ability to make tools from castings and other various methods of forging. Pretty neat history if you care to look into it.

[@charlesissleepy]

Mithaniel Marr i kind of figured but its still kind of wid to think about. Like along the lines of what would you do if you were on a deserted island. Even knowing what coud be made, how its made, and having all the materials means little without the heritage of necessary tools. You could work around a lot of things but modern tools make it much easier

[@glockfan112]

How did the first blacksmith make his tongs?

[@vows2sweden]

Skickligt, fin video! Sådant här gör att man blir stolt av att vara svensk och german! Skicklighet och inget onödigt babbel i amerikansk anda om hundar, fruar, vad man tycker och tänker, vad man föredrar och all annan ointressant skit. BRA GJORT, Torbjörn!

[@Paccamaxa33]

Хули тут говорить? КРАСОТА!!! Молодец мастер!!!

[@imilkdude]

i know nothing about forging but this was really therapeutic to watch. lol

[@SceneArtisan]

13:18 Psycho, stabbing someone in the shower.

[@desertmulehunter]

Hand forged...that thing is beautiful, work of art!

[@torbjornahman]

gone fishin Thank you!