Blacksmithing - A lesson on making leaves

[@douglasfathers4848]

Thanks mate this is the best video I have seen on how to and how not to. I learnt more watching this video than any class I have taken . Thank you . :)

[@workingwithiron]

Ah man that's much appreciated. very Kind words. Plenty more like this coming up. I myself have taken a lot of classes and I see what works and what doesn't but I can bring you in right into the action and explain What's happening. Rather than having everyone sit around watching from a distance where nobody can see anything. Thanks for participating 👍 it's much appreciated

[@douglasfathers4848]

@@workingwithiron Looking forward to seeing them . Cheers.

[@bartweir1789]

When I was starting out I watched dozens of videos of forging leaves. This is by far the most in depth and up close I've seen. Excellent educational. Very well done with your breakdowns, step by step, tight/clear shots, and what not to do.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks for the kind words 👍. I'm just playing around with filming at the moment so it should get even better the more videos I can produce. Cheers 👊

[@ryanhosenfeld677]

EXACTLY! I was thinking the same thing when I was watching it. So many other smiths show you, but don't actually show you.

[@workingwithiron]

That's why I make these videos, I watch other videos and get frustrated that they don't show the actual visual you need to see to understand the process and reason. It takes so much more time to get the right angles with moving the camera and editing but it's worth the effort when it's appreciated, so thank you 👍

[@maxtrehus602]

He's the Bob Ross of forging. Subscribed.

[@workingwithiron]

That means a lot, thank you and welcome to the community 👍

[@adamclark6731]

I wish you offered on line classes, i learned so much from this one video. Thank you so much.

[@workingwithiron]

I've had a lot of requests for this so will look into the logistics of it. Thanks for asking 👍

[@steveguerrero9707]

You could just use the full radius edge of the offside IMO easier and faster than than adding extra steps Mark Aspery does a good video and also has three books that are well worth the cost, cheers

[@warrengatwood6316]

Wow I’ve struggled so much with this . I’ve watched so many talented artists in videos demonstrating this and this by far is this first one that makes it so simple. Can’t wait to try this again the weekend.

[@pauldavidblakeley1827]

The hammer blows and positions are carefully demonstrated so your forging will evidence this foundational level of seeing. Masterful instruction.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks a lot for your kind words 👍

[@wilhelmvonbergen2675]

and ill say he does not have worthless music playing and he explaining what he doing rather than just doing it

[@sdunca4864]

Folks- pay attention to his LEFT HAND as well- close to the hip- wrist move only (no arm) and relaxed, not extended elbow- Excellent video Bravo! Im trying to clean up my stance and this really stood out to me- Thank you for this vid- Subscribed!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks for the new sub, and welcome 👍 you will enjoy a future video I'm going to do on my style of forging, will explain the how's and the why's.

[@ugo7295]

Hello from Wyoming USA, Thank you, my leafs have improved 100%. Your video’s are great, easy to understand, follow, & execute. Keep them coming Mr Nathan. Warmest regards; “Ugo”

[@ianmcgougan1173]

I normally turn off the voice as it usually drives me barmy. But I found your voice instructions extremely easy to listen to. Thanks for a fantastic video.

[@workingwithiron]

Wow I appreciate that Ian, I can narrate a bed time story for you if you want 😂

[@ianmcgougan1173]

@@workingwithiron 🤣🤣

[@picklesnoutpenobscott3165]

This was slow enough for a beginner like me to really comprehend, not just memorize motions, but get the why of it. Thank you!

[@workingwithiron]

Ah man, no worries at all. Just passing on what I've learned over the years. Very welcome 👍

[@mikemullenix6956]

You have the best macro description of leaf making. Absolutely a master leaf maker . I like the technique, also the trying to hit the floor analogy

[@jdhurtz1234]

Just found your content. Your videos are totally awesome. I’m currently cleaning out my father’s house and I found some blacksmiths tools in his actic. Some hammers , tongs, and two anvils. The anvils look like they were made from railroad track. When i hit them the ring out really loud. Everything looks really old but is very functional. You can see hammer marks on the tongs like they were hand made. I used some lubricating oil to clean all the tools up and they look good. I’m exited to get started with learning from you. Thank you.

[@gsgomide]

What a great video!! Never thought I'd understand so much of what I've been doing wrong on a leaf video. The attention to detail and thoughtful camera positioning are really really outstanding! Thank you for making this!

[@workingwithiron]

Your more than welcome. If I can teach one thing then it makes it all worthwhile 👍

[@pjamestx]

What an amazing tutorial, from the great close-ups, to the oversized piece, to the clear explanations, everything about this was just perfect, well done!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks pjamestx, they are getting better the more we do. Thanks for the compliments 🙂

[@vincentmundy6860]

Wow, what a fantastic tutorial! Very clearly filmed and an excellent explanation of each step! I've snapped so many leaves in the past this is brilliant! Thanks Nathan 😁👍

[@workingwithiron]

You are very welcome, just passing the information on that I have learned. Thank you for watching 👍

[@davidedgar3037]

I have never been happy with my leaves and you have just shown me why. Top of the class. Thank you.

[@yorkshirejoinery2869]

Really enjoyed this, very clear instructions! I will have a go and feel well prepared!

[@workingwithiron]

Ah that's great to hear. Let us all know how you get on if there is anything you would do different etc.

[@jacoklopper4772]

Thank you taking the time explaining so well Sir. You're a great teacher.

[@patrickgrundtner6939]

This is probably one of the best if not the best instruction video I have ever seen. I'm just starting out and keep rewatching it. Every leave I made so far was better then the last one thanks to your help!

[@JackPinesBlacksmithing]

I’ve watched this video at least a dozen times over the course of the last year, and ever time I do I learn something new. Excellent technique and video. Would love to see more.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you jack, that really means a lot that im managing to help out. There is a lot of info in it so definately worth watching more than once. for example looking at the material move, then looking at the heat at certain processes, then hammer position and position of work n anvil etc. I incorporate all of this in to the videos for people just like yourself that re watch them as they are intended. happy new year sir!

[@willfoster7]

Exemplary demonstration! You are gifted and it is obvious that you make every effort to share your superlative skills! This is great and much appreciated!

[@jubilearly948]

best tutorial for leaf making I've seen. Answered a lot of questions I have had and issues I have struggled with as a beginner. Thank you for making this!

[@ultimatepiro]

I am a starter blacksmith, thank you for such a master piece of teaching. Now I have a strong base to create leafs and decorate my projects! Greetings from somewhere in the mountains of Costa Rica.

[@rolfeb]

Hi Nathan, can't add much to the other comments except that this is a great reminder to me that as well as the hammer and anvil, the third tool I need to remember to use more often is my brain. I kind of knew most of what you said, but hadn't been able to put it into use when I need to. I really liked how this video help bridge the gap between theory and it's application. I'm looking forward to more like this!

[@workingwithiron]

Many thanks Rolfe, I think this is the direction of the future videos, bridging that gap. Be good to see you again in future videos. Have a great day!

[@42NewGuy]

When I first watched this video, I had started forging about a month or two earlier. I was struggling to make all these discrete skills click into place and start working together. But when I found your video (since I had the precise issue you described with cold starts) I heard your advice on hammer strikes at 9:05. It is such simple advice, but it has become a constant cue I think of when forging: "Strike the floor, Not the steel." It has completely changed my forging technique. I think it has helped me to stop trying to hit the steel in a straight line, but instead think of the swing as an arc. So thank you, I really appreciate your amazing teaching here.

[@workingwithiron]

I'm glad I can help. Thanks for letting me know. Nobody has ever mentioned this way of thinking but it's something I realised a few years into the craft. There are also a lot of tips in the heart fire poker video and the practice piece you may gain a lot of help from. They're long but I think out loud while forging. Have a great day 😀

[@42NewGuy]

@@workingwithiron I will definitely put that video in my smithing playlist. Thanks, man!

[@dinodog6068]

There aren't enough blacksmith videos that show how to fix mistakes. Thank you for this.

[@workingwithiron]

You're very welcome 👍

[@timbrownblacksmithandknife5648]

This has to be the best leaf forging video I've seen.

[@GeorgiaOutsiders]

Best forging instruction I've found on KZbin, thank you it is much appreciated.

[@brianfalls5038]

My friend, not so long ago I tried making my first leaf and I used your technique and it worked just like you said it would. Many thanks for a very informative and educational video! Keep up the good work sir.

[@gregwells8764]

Im watching a master at work here. never seen anyone hit this accurately and hard ! superbly demonstrated. i now know ive got to try harder. lol.

[@imgrandpasmokey]

A beautiful leaf but better still was your teaching. Watching & learning is good, but your instruction was worth so much more. Thank you.

[@chrisblythman7692]

Excellent tutorial, the best I have seen on youtube. Your calm, relaxed no nonsense delivery added to the experience. Thank you.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks a lot Chris. I hope this is thee Mr blythman that taught me at college?? Am I right?

[@chrisblythman7692]

@@workingwithiron it is.😀

[@JohnDHarvey]

I initially watched this video quite some time ago. I've started teaching this method in my forged leaves class and the students have a much better experience. Thank you for providing this information.

[@mattsadventureswithart5764]

That was excellent. You deserve many, many, many more subscribers.

[@workingwithiron]

Appreciate the kind words Matt. KZbin doesn't show my content to many folk unfortunately but working on pleasing the algorithm. Just a steep learning curve is all.

[@ericsundby9334]

This is easily the best leaf video I've ever watched. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@magnusbergroth5319]

Thank you for the video. I appreciate the cut showing the crack. Very good 👍

[@paulorchard7960]

This is trade quality instruction! Watched a few of your videos but this is brilliant! Keep on teaching us Nathan, I for one will be paying much more attention in the next one!

[@workingwithiron]

Ah man, thank you. I'm just trying to improve every time. If it works out and I reach enough people I will keep doing them but if not, I will have to think about asking for a small fee for access to them to make it worthwhile me making the instructional videos as they cost about £400 to make a 20 minute video. The entertainment ones not so much.

[@MrJamesjustin]

Mate, this video is gold. I thought I was pretty good at leaves, but all of them have that crack. I never thought it would be so structural. I will certainly be changing my approach, and taking your advice. Thanks heaps mate. Great work

[@theronhoward5413]

That was the best instructional video I have ever watched. Thank you very much. Be Safe Theron

[@russellfox6619]

Great tutorial mate! By far the best i've come across so far. A friend showed me the nearside method recently and it has improved my leaf making greatly, your video really shows the how and the why of it in close up - bravo!

[@dougmackay6840]

This is a great tutorial. Wonderfully illustrating the "why" behind how to do the job. Thanks for your efforts.

[@workingwithiron]

you are more than welcome doug, thanks for taking the time to view and comment.

[@mattwyeth3156]

This is the best how to forge a leaf video that i have seen thank you for such a comprehensively detailed video it has improved my forging considerably i use to snap every leaf that i forged i just have to work on the thickness as they are sharp

[@clintonm2357]

You have given an astounding amount of thought to this shape and equaled that effort with this video. By far the best on KZbin and you’ve made me think about the right way to use shoulders. My anvil’s horn is about to get a lot more use.

[@CreativeDailyWorks]

Very good educational video. Thank you very much.

[@workingwithiron]

You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by 👍

[@oliviermalige3279]

Hi, I allways learn something from your videos, as a hobbyist I've learned SO much on YT ! Thanks for sharing and passing your knowledge !!

[@workingwithiron]

thats great to hear, you are welcome!

[@ijbewever2908]

i have seen alot of leaf forged but i have learned more from this one than all of them

[@gelanghaarteweile3048]

I don't know how much you could earn on giving an online class on YT but i would appreciate it! You have a nice calm attitude and explain it very well. I tried your explanations and guess what... it worked :D I would realy like to see some basic technics in forging with no powerhammer or other expensive equipment.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks for the great feedback, I'm so glad it's worked out for you. I've been asked a lot about teaching. If I were to do online classes it would be so much more in depth than these videos especially if people are paying for it as I would know they wouldn't just skip through the process and video. I will see what I can come up with in the near future. As someone who would benefit from this, what would you like to see? From absolute scratch or a bit more advanced?

[@gelanghaarteweile3048]

@@workingwithiron Hm... Your question is quiet difficult to answer... i am not a professional smith and i will never be because i am just too old :). I have my own little forge and no powertools like a powerhammer or a bandsaw at all. It is just a hobby for me and a bit of experimenting to see where all comes from and if i can make it and if i can wrap my head around some production processes. Some kind of physical and mentaltraining :) BUT: if i would start an apprenticeship basics would be nice because i hate to invent the wheel over and over again! :P Something like: basic stand in front of the anvil, hammer handling and some exercises to train it! Basic safty and personal protection gear. After ensuring that the people won't kill/hurt themself it would be nice if you can show how to make some basic tools to start forging or what tools are basic stuff from/with which you can make all/most other. (tong-making, drift-making, nail-making, hammer-making [dif. forms of hammers...] ...) plenty of stuff to show just to cover the basic tooling :) And than there is YT: most people think: monkey see, monkey do! And than they find out that they are lacking eye-hand-coordination in a craft that they literally never performed before... and patient! Patient is a virtue! There is no fast forward in drawing out a lumb of steel! :)

[@BSA-Legend]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, your great smithing skills are surpassed by your great teaching skills.

[@Outdoors_guy]

I have now made a few leafs this way and now I won’t go back.. the sharp triangle tapper works up so much cleaner and the drawing out of the stem is much much cleaner. Nice video, now just need to perfect my details.

[@brysonalden5414]

Thanks for this comprehensive, understandable contribution to the art.

[@cydrych]

I am just getting started and made my first leaf a few days ago. I wish I had seen this so I would have started off with this knowledge. I’ll definitely put it into practice from here on out. Thanks.

[@stantilton2191]

Once again very good improvement on technique. A simple change with dramatic results. Nice work.

[@johnjude2685]

Best leaves teaching, Sir Simply well taught 😮😊

[@johnjude2685]

Seen lots of KZbin but only a few that master the hammer as yourself and your videos are great great great for anyone who wants to listen and constraint for learning. Hopefully the word gets around and I'll share a few. Thanks

[@webneko9842]

You do a really great job at explaining the details of these things that a beginner can learn easiest from. Thank you for this. I learned so much that I didn't realize in watching other faster videos.

[@steve_____K307]

Excellent! I am so grateful for the time you spent creating this video. Thank you. I will put the tips to use.

[@joeleon5718]

You have some of the finest hammerwork I've ever seen. I love watching your videos, keep it up!

[@bruceprosser8332]

Outstanding! Thanks! This has so many other applications for arrowhead making, spear making and so on. Thanks again!

[@stephenahislop8154]

Thank you for the excellent video very informative and helpful.Missed your videos glad your back your better than ever keep up the good work again thanks

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks a lot, it's great to be back, hopefully for good this time 👍

[@dukedlf]

what an awesome tutorial. thanks for all the knowledge shared here.

[@billwinegar132]

Thank you for this video. I make a lot of leafs and look forward to putting your teaching to practical use.

[@Giirag]

Great video! Though it seems to me that the radius you choose on your anvil is more important, than whether it is the close or far side of the anvil.

[@CorneliusForge]

Amazing video. I appreciated the explanations and close shots. Thank you, I have learned a lot from this.

[@vrwcfounder]

Just learning blacksmithing and forging a bunch of leaves (with cracks) for practice 😀. Thanks for explaining why I was getting them!

[@workingwithiron]

Welcome to the crazy journey of forging. It's quite common to get them when starting out. Even following this way due to heat control and overworking the piece by bending back and forth a lot doing all the corrections new Smith's do. It will click though but this will get you to that aha moment a lot faster. Glad you can join us 👍

[@snowdogarmoury]

Oh man this is a great video! My leaves suck so hard and this showed like 10 things im doing wrong. Im going to get some 16 mm bar to do this a hundred times. Thanks Nathan, amazing as always.

[@workingwithiron]

You're welcome. Glad I can show different approaches to forging. You can do it with 12mm no bother. It's the same. I used bigger stock just for visual really.

[@Leanderdw]

Brilliant! Like watching the new Bob Ross. Well explained and a joy to watch. Thanx for creating this video and keep up the good work!

[@jensdavidsen4557]

Brilliant teaching here! I remember waaaaaaay back in 2014 when I discovered your channel with your exquisitely soothing video on forging a fire poker - thus was I introduced to blacksmithing - been at it since Autumn of that same year...just worked on forging a long stirring spoon this evening for a friend of mine for her French Press coffee preparation...until I ran out of propane...Cheers man! Glad to see your back at it!

[@workingwithiron]

Ah man that's awesome to hear, so glad I can inspire. That is one of my favourite videos the fire poker. Has it really been that long??? 🤯 I will have to re visit the pokers as they have so much potential and are great sellers. Glad to be back and have you back. Thank you 👍

[@dinodog6068]

Thank you for making this video. I have a devil of a time with the simple projects like this.

[@kansasprairieforge2918]

Thanks so much, this helps even us intermediate smiths! I was getting cracks and having leaves breaking off in my works but I wasn't sure what to do about it. Now I see the reason. And how to prevent it.

[@leborgne7041]

Wonderful video. The quality of the explanations is amazing!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you 😃

[@shawnmcintosh1574]

One word.... Outstanding!!!

[@clangoops8767]

Right advice at exactly the right time...

[@workingwithiron]

You been making leaves? Hope you can take something from the video

[@wilhelmvonbergen2675]

imho the best informative how to and how not to do it ive seen yet. it well filmed also

[@tek9102]

Well done video. Helped to understand what is actually happening.

[@ping170]

I've been annoyed by these cracks without understanding why... Now I know, thank you !

[@Logan.H.L]

Nice tutorial, thanks for the close up detail!

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Very nicely described! I noticed that it has been a year since your last video! I hope you havent gotten disillusioned. Who am I to speak its been over 2 years since my last video. you are an excellent instructor and amazing artist. please keep making videos. I learn so much from watching amd then doing. thats why I call this youtube university. blessings to you and Happy New Year!

[@mertonsilliker3686]

New to the trade. Lesson very well explained in an easy way. Spot on.

[@terrykleier5068]

Thank you for sharing. Nice video clearly explains the method

[@pw6295]

This was brilliant..Excellent teacher.

[@colewalter6398]

Thank you! I always enjoy your videos, they are very helpful to me. This one was particularly helpful. Hope you have a great day.

[@workingwithiron]

thanks a lot cole, thats what its all about, glad i can help. everyday is a great day, thanks for popping by.

[@jamesdeane5310]

well I've learned something new there Nathoo. I have noticed a greater success myself from making leaves myself using a similar technique to your second method. I didn't realise that the cracking from the 1st way was that bad.

[@workingwithiron]

Glad to hear that James. Yes I was surprised how far the crack went in too. I've never seen a cross section of the leaf before but I'm glad I did it now. I knew it would be there but not as far as it was.

[@tonywilkey4369]

Well executed the explanations along with the chalk references were spot on I take my hat of to you. Tony Artistic Blacksmith South Australia

[@jonathonmaes9406]

I learned soooo much!! Thank you!! I love how you take your time and went so in depth.

[@Qrunch]

Excellent and detailed. Thanks buddy!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Fantastic as always. Kinda had a Bob Ross vibe with this one! Leaves have always been a bugger for me, so I appreciate you doing a long-form video like this. I'll have to get some 5/8" bar and get to hammering...

[@workingwithiron]

Haha that's the best compliment I think anyone could have, he's a true inspiration for my work funnily enough. You can use the techniques shown on any size bar but the smaller the stock, the faster you will have to get through the heats and less bending as it's not as forgiving as the bigger stock. Hope you succeed with it, let us know how it goes 👍

[@johnjude2685]

Carving and painting skills also teaching skills at work. I'm watching hard trying to absorb part of your work Thanks

[@lenblacksmith8559]

I watched it again and again, going to do some forging at a mates place on Sat, where I'm storing some of my stuff. Will practice this and show my mate hopefully the correct way to do it like you do. Cheers Len.

[@b2bogster]

Thank you! This is great. This will help me alot. Could you do a video on how to do sharp transitions. Like when you want to isolate material but need a sharp corner. I keep getting tares where the small rat tail connects to the larger stock. I think I need to keep the metal hotter as I work it. Any comment would be great. I'm looking forward to more great videos. As usual I should have watched the last bit of the video because you answered my questions already 😆 but I'd still like to see how you do a sharp corner and taper a rattail out.

[@JFTaqua]

Great video , solved a problem I have had for ages. Thanks👍👍👍👍

[@brianfalls5894]

Great video! The way you demonstrated how to do this leaf made it very easy to see what you were talking about. You now have a new subscriber and I look forward to seeing more of your videos. Well done sir!

[@henrygardiner7740]

Great vid, Nathan! Aiming for the floor certainly delivers more striking power to the work. There’s a time for tap tap and then there is boom boom. I’m going to see if I can aim through the work when it’s time to move metal. Thanks!!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks 👍 yes it's something I thought I should mention as I've never heard anyone else talk about it before but I've been doing it my whole career and all the lessons I've had I've never been taught it. It should be part of the basic instructions for everyone starting out.

[@henrygardiner7740]

Yes, excellent! I looked at my leaf production and had no cracks. Then I looked back at your original leaf vid and realized that I’ve been using your technique from day one because I modeled my isolation after your good example!! Ha! Thanks again!! Keep these coming. Your work is beautiful!

[@jasonsytsma9367]

Had this very issue today. Awesome to find this video. Thanks

[@AndrewCollington]

Great video! Really appreciated the pace and explanations. Thanks for sharing - looking forward to seeing more.

[@workingwithiron]

You're welcome, they're coming for sure, just don't want to flood the channel, quality over quantity is what I'm aiming to achieve.

[@tomcarlson3244]

Very good educational video. Hammer placement and material placement is very informative.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks a lot for the encouragement, it's something I enjoy so Will be doing a lot more from now on 👍

[@dirkhafner9970]

Thank you very much for your concise teaching

[@northernfool7453]

Welcome back man, I miss your videos.

[@workingwithiron]

Let's gooooooo!!! We back!!! 😁👍

[@christopherconkright1317]

My anvil is new and I’m loathed to round the edges I spent near 800$ for a 100 pound anvil. I will work round it over time. I do have a guillotine tool. I have 5 dies I have not did anything with yet. I bet money I could make that same 45* round shape if I do what I thought for years. Get a thick piece of flat steel to make the bottom of the guillotine tool flat to not deform it then the top die to shape two sides. The leaf dies. Thanks you helped solidify my ideal.

[@workingwithiron]

If you have an anvil you can just use the very tip of the horn. Think about the shape. It's just a 'v' fuller just rounded out so the horn is the perfect shape. A tighter v at the smallest section of the horn or if you want a longer transition between leaf and stem just take it to the fatter part of the horn as you are forging it. I'm going to make a few tips and tricks videos next week so will add this in.

[@eckhardminuth4978]

Great video - and nice to see you back! Thanx

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks a lot, it's great to be back!

[@TODDSIMON-xu6qf]

Great teaching ,great technique.

[@ВладимирЛекомцев-ф7щ]

That is great video! I've learnt much. I used to make the leaves the wrong way, now I can do it right!) Nathan (if I remember correctly), you are very skilled blacksmith and to watch your splendid work and videos is a perfect time spending!