Man that kid is pretty impressive. Takes a lot of skill to do what he does. With that being said I've worked at a smelting plant for 15 years and I've had hot slag pop into the corner of my eye. Hope this young man invests in some good safety glasses so he can do this for a long time without injury
Don't forget hearing protection. I'm pretty shure he had some on, I just want to add that. I've worked manual labor for 20+yrs and I'm basically deaf in one ear, and half deaf in the other. I couldn't imagine how quickly you'd go deaf in a smithy.
I have absolutely no use for a hammer like that, but I’m damn sure gonna buy one when they are available. What craftsmanship. As others have said I hope this young man will protect his eyes. He has years of productivity ahead of him if he takes care of himself.
I am a form carpenter in Washington state and very much looking forward to the availability of those hammers. Cheers and all the success to those involved!
Great workmanship throughout. I would like to ask that at that young age he should know that wearing proper eye protection through his process will allow him to see his finished work! Eye protection is cheap!
He did a hell of a job with that hammer. He'll be doing work like that a lot longer if old timers like you would tell him how important it is to protect his eyes and lungs.
And his back. It's an impressive shop, sadly with zero thought into ergonomics. Those anvils need to be higher, although he might have them at a similar height to the power hammers for efficiency.
@@HoLeeFuk317 yeah? How'd we learn? Bad experiences? The advice of others? I'd rather a ton of us who've already taken our damage seriously relay the message to him than let him find out the hard way. It's free to help the kid avoid injury, it only costs something if you say nothing.
@@HoLeeFuk317 I learned a lot of those ergonomic lessons the hard way between the ages of 20 and 21 working manual labor, I have been working at a relatively easy on the body job for an additional year since then. The tinnitus and pain definitely isn't age related yet, and it doesn't get much better once the damage is done all I seem to be able to do is avoid making it worse.
I'm sure Andrew was learning from Scott as much as the other way round. Seeing Scott sitting in the chair watching the work take place reminded me of the circle of learning. All he needed was a pipe and a beard to complete the picture.
What a talented young man who has his whole life ahead of him . Just imagine what he will achieve in his life time. Keep up the great work mate cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
Damn! This young man is truly talented. To think at his age he holds this much knowledge. He's got a great future ahead of him. Hope he finds a mentor such as yourself to guide him.
Very talented smith, that young man! I visited his website and his work; hammers, hand tools, top tools, bottom tools...the whole list is of excellent, A+ quality. He should be proud of what he has accomplished at such a young age! 👍
I was asking on the shop build video where you got that hammer! After a half hour of googling I had no luck finding out where I could get one and with this video it makes sense. Excited to get one of these for my job
It's cool seeing a young man with this advanced of a skillset and this much dedication. I've always wanted to blacksmith, but I lack the space currently. That said, I'm a welder/fitter and I'm starting my own business. I hope some day I get to the point where I need help and I plan to take on someone younger with an interest in learning a skill.. I had no one in my life to show me there were other ways of living.. Got addicted to heroin at 15 or 16. and lived a very dark life for a long time. I can only imagine how different my it may have been had someone, my father or another adult man, taken an interest in me. I have a son now, he turns 6 in two months. I do everything I possibly can to help him find what he enjoys (I have he gets into custom fabrication or something, since I have $20,000 worth of tools for those jobs that he can experiment with). I just want to thank you for providing a good example for me to mirror in my relationship with my son and other's around me - in real life, I have no one who is a good enough man to use as an example and just observing how you interact with us, the viewers, and the people you work with has taught me a lot. Thank you
I live in western ky and this young man makes me feel better about our state and country. So many young people don't even know what craftsman do let alone being one. God bless you for giving me more hope for our future. Keeping up the good work here in KY. Thank you and God bless
I have been watching each and every video you put out for several years and I have learned something worth keeping in my mind with every one of them. You‘ll be surprised to hear that I am a 75 y/o retired dentist and oral surgeon with a little shop to repair things around the house and make tools that I can make myself rather than shop around for them (and I have quite a few tools from my old office that are useful outside dentistry)! But I appreciate more than what I learn in the way of technical tips and tricks. I like the way you look at your work and your life and I especially like the way you interact and care for everybody around you that you live, work and interact with! Your work ethic and your social ethic is just the way I felt in my profession: if it is to be done it is worth to be done the best way you possibly can. Thank you for sharing that with us and greetings to you and your family from Mallorca where I moved to from Germany for my retirement. Keep up the good work.
You've put out an amazing number of great videos that I've watched over the years. I'll put this one on top. This gives me hope for the future of our country.
I can tell he has learned some of the Brian Brazeal methods for hammers and tooling. Those hardy cut off tools are a dead give away. It makes my heart smile when seeing the younger guys getting into this craft. We need more young blood doing this stuff.
One of the best things about the Brian Brazeal methods is that there is a well established system to train people in how to get things done. Very few living people in the US have a direct line of training that traces back to a master smith, proper training is a lot faster and more efficient than being self taught.
Scott, you are so magnanimous. We really appreciate the effort you provide to showcasing the expertise of others. In this moment, we'd like to show you our appreciation for exposing us to the richness of the world - and of the people living in it.
what a pleasant natured young man, and a joy to listen to two Americans who can speak good clear understandable English. unlike so many nowadays with their nasel whinning, throat choking straining, acrobating attempts at same. a real pleasure to listen to. the rest of you whinning groaners take note. Greetings from London UK, thanks
It is very apparent that he was raised right and taught the value of work ethics. Far too many people today are never taught the value of a hard day's work or what it takes to be successful in any indever you decide to undertake. He reminds me of liam hoffman and his ax making business.
Not having any of the skills you show on your channel , it excites me to watch a fellow with almost instinctive talents work at his craft but a 19year old , it's magnificent. I guess I'm living living their life through watching them I know so all I can say is thank you for the thrill of making your hammer for you. What a fine craftsman he is.
That young man is legitimately impressive. I live in TN and I am always looking for a good tool maker and he has jumped to the top of my list when I am looking for hammers or tools for the shop.
Oh my gosh! This young man, and I am sure there some others, truly gives us hope. His tenacity to learn at such a young age and his parents wise guidance and encouragement, has produce an exceptional young Blacksmith. Strong work, Andrew (mom and dad).
Good Morning, I have been following your channel pretty much from the beginning. I started framing at age 18, 1970, and still get excited when I see the lumber truck show up. Over many years I’ve covered all types of carpentry and construction. I love your passion for your tools especially the skillsaw. I live in New Jersey and on the East Coast we favor the arbor saw with the blade on the right. I still have my Father’s Porter Cable that was built in 1950. That’s what I broke in on. Still use them today as well as the Skillsaw. In fact I have probably over 40 saws in all. I share you passion for tools it now at 70 I wonder how much longer I will be able to use them. Well I wi use them until I can’t. I guess then I will spend whatever time I have left fixing and cleaning them. Thanks for the ride my friend. Love your channel and your devotion to our trade. Thanks
Very talented young fella. Obviously he has the desire and personal drive to excel at what he is doing. Fantastic to see a hard dirty old school trade being taken up by a new generation young man. Very cool
Sadly there's not nearly enough young men entering most trades, especially blacksmithing - why pay $275 for hammer when you can buy a Chinese factory made one from HomeDepot for $15. Soon, Americans want know how to make anything. Really worrisome.
I guess I don’t care if a big corporation starts making these hammers. I only want one designed by Scott, and made by this young man. It will cost more……I don’t care. I feel like I’d be investing in Scott and this young man. It seems these days we’ve been distracted by “looking more at the price tag, than the product/process”. If you think of it, obtaining and utilizing this hammer won’t cost you anything….rather it will pay you!
This hammer could more easily receive a design patent than a utility patent. Just don't fall for any of those commercialized "Let us patent your..." you see advertised. Intellectual property rights lawyers is the 1st line of opportunity to a "published" patent. Or an inventor can do it themselves. It us daunting however, but doable.
The problem with a patent is its only worth what you are willing to spend defending it. These will be in Harbor Freight in three years, we will know the difference between this soon to be made disposable version, versus one that is crafted!
@@TheRealCheckmate Why should a big corporation make money off his design. The patent is not that expensive considering the profits that could be made. However much demand for the product there is determines the profit, and he could always sell that patent, too.
Where I live the local fleet store sells a "Trapline hammer" which has similar use case too yours, it's a cross peen hammer with a bit welded to inward slope of the cross to for a digging bit. Albeit a bit more crude necessity really is the mother of invention in all professions.
This is what you call surrounding yourself with the right people. You are the average of the company you keep and this young man is a superstar. Great stuff!! Scott any chance you are going to auction off the exact hammer that he made there?
I'm so glad to see so much talent recognized in one video. Riley is a super human. Brian is very talented and has the youth and time to take on the task. Happy to see this coming together
Kudos to you both, just simply fantastic work from you both ! Cannot wait to get Andrew’s hammers in my welding shop and I have spread the word ( this video to half a dozen form companies. This is how i like things to work in the world that surrounds me. Thank you to you all at the Essential Craftsman team.
As a concreter in Australia I have been thinking and looking for this exact design to no avail. Identical to how I envisioned apart from we use start pickets often to form, so I would also make the digging side a claw to pull pickets then it’s be perfect. Beautiful hammer
Fascinating and instructive video with Mr. Andrew Larson. Started at about age eleven,when most boys are about to finish grade school..an age when many lads were apprenticed to tradesmen and craftsmen. How many eleven year old boys do we know that are that focused on acquiring a difficult skill set? Rare these days, even going back 30-40 years. In the 50's and into the mid 60's Jr high schools had basic introductory shop classes, wood, metal, auto, and printing...and for those inclined vocational high schools offered in depth learning and hands on practice....all now abandoned along with serious phys ed. Sad state of affairs that because off this void unions have trouble inticing apprentices to learning well paying skills. .. But young Mr. Andrew Larson is a bright spot....thanks for sharing with us.
Great to see such a talented young blacksmith. Spent 50 enjoyable years as a sparky. Keep hearing how many new tradesmen they will need in the next ten years as guys retire not enough young guys & gals going into the trades. Made a lot of money getting my hands dirty. Worked 5 days a week for a company that gave me great benefits & a pension and often did 25 hours a week moonlighting.
It is so wounderful to see a young man so knowledgeable and deadicated to his craft. It gives me hope that some will come along after I'm gone to be Master Craftsmen.
We used to see many many father son teams and thus apprenticeship’s were completed. Still today we see mentorship’s in the trades.. We are losing this to.. There are a few hobby folks moving into trades but not many.. 60 years ago we had high schools offering metal shop, woodshop and much more being taught.. Today it’s tough to find such anywhere in many high schools.. I must say though that thru efforts like this utube channels are helping folks find a way into trade.. thanks to both of you for this production.. ☺️
In a society that focuses too much time on young folks wasting time, it is good to see this young man using all his faculties and sharing his skills so many will benefit from. Thank you for sharing these serious skills! Respect.
My Dad was a Glazier in Las Vegas for almost 40 yrs. Was always too busy to use eye protection. the 2 nd time they had to take his Right Eye out to clean out metal shavings from the eye, he found the time.
Seeing this helps to rekindle the feeling that perhaps there is hope yet. Once in a while you meet an old soul and realize it. Andrew seems to display so many of the qualities needed to achieve a "good life", and I sincerely wish that for him. As someone who has been in the trades for more than sixty years and paid the price of injury and lots of wear and tear damage, I'd echo so many others here and just request that more consistent use of PPE be considered. The slight loss of freedom is a small price to pay to protect the gifts bestowed upon him. Outstanding story and video!
Love it. I share your admiration for this young man, his work ethic, the quality of his work. As a hobbyist metal worker and jeweler I really enjoy this kind of content. Thank you!
If I had the money, I'd buy one of every hammer he makes. I'm going to start learning to fordge this year. I've made a few small things with torches and a hammer, but what he does is truly an art. He's amazing and only 19 years old. Good luck with everything you do young man. You're going places that's for sure.
That was spectacular! I would like to hear the young man's story and how he came to possess such skills. My Dad was a builder and one of his grade school buddies had a welding/ fabrication shop. Wes Mallard Welding, Monroe CT. Superb fabricator and did numerous repairs of aging equipment. One thing that afflicted him after decades of hammering was nerve damage in his arms and shoulder, predominantly his dominant hand. When someone is at the start of such a career, there must be ways to innovate the current tools 'tor reduce the hammer shock conducted into the smithys arm and shoulder.
Dang, man, that is so beautiful.. your hammer design his skill in hot forming... You really landed on your feet in finding this shop. Thanks so much for posting, I have wanted to see such for decades. A+++
Beautifully setup shop (definitely great workflow options), great to see a young man turning out such beautiful work, I missed out on the first run, will be ordering one asap. I wish I could give this episode more thumbs ups.
What a bright future this young man has. I sure wish he'd use tinted safety glasses while he's forging since the heat produces extremely bright light, and over time that can damage the eyes since it's not natural light.
Great hammer! The years I spent clearing out footers while setting forms going between sledge, craftsman 24 oz, and then sometimes a shovel to make clearance for a form.
Andrew is a great smith, and all around great guy. It's been a pleasure knowing him for the past couple of years. I always learn something new when I see him.
Wow! What an inspiration to see such a master of his craft so early in his life. The products are simply beautiful, purpose built implements created by such an incredibly talented craftsman. Thank you so much for sharing this story!
That man has super skills. Very disciplined at what he does to have achieved that at his age. The good thing i love about craftmanship basically is that it gives you fulfillment and a lot of it in just making and building things. I would love to own a thing or two of what this guy has made. Much respect from 🇰🇪 Kenya. Thanks a lot for sharing this beautifully done video. As you say it "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK"
Brilliant. This gives this old carpenter a lot of hope for the trades and craftsmanship in the future. I have an Estwing dedicated to form work and the claw is let's say a bit shorter than it used to be because of digging with it. I will be acquiring one of these sledge spades as soon as possible for my last build which is my own house. and just as all the other old dogs have said, That young man needs to wear some eye protection at a minimum. Best wishes.
I have to applaud Andrew. It becomes really unusual to meet such a young man these skill levels and a great workshop he runs on his own. Bravo 👏👏👏 @Essential Craftsman keep up with the good work 👍. I'm a fan of your videos
I am not a blacksmith, but I grew up next door to one. His shop was a playground for me and my friends, so I recognize the tools and techniques. That said, I taught commercial woodworking/cabinetmaking for 30 years and I can echo your comments about the maturity and poise of this young man. I had a few students like him and they have all gone on to have successful careers. I am extremely impressed by his work and especially by his attitude and his ability to explain his process. It is rare to find a young person that has that depth of wisdom. His work is outstanding. (I do also echo previous comments about eye protection!)
This fine young man is amazing turning out a beautiful and unique product from scratch. The custom tooling he made to produce the curve on the hammer is impressive. When I see "Made in China" on everything today I want to lose hope in this country. But then I watch a video like this and I get a burst of hope that not all is lost and that we still have young people our there with a passion for working with their hands and making things. I left the machinist trade back in 1979 because I saw the writing on the wall for manufacturing here in the US but I still keep my hand in machining in my home workshop. I believe that true craftsmen are born. This sort of thing is in your blood and you have a passion for it.
ON TOP OF HIS GAME AT 19!! I WAS A WELL DOING MECHANIC AT HIS AGE, THANKS TO SOME GREAT MENTORS! WHAT EVER THE CRAFT, THERE ARE A LUCKY FEW THAT “GET IT “ FAR EARLIER THAN MOST!!
You and my dad might know each other my dad did concrete work in Las vegas around that same time and when I saw your photos at the start it brought back memories of me hanging around while my dad would lay cement! I hated it back then but I see and appreciate the hard work men like you and my dad do! His name is David Empey!
A well spoken young man who has a decent future to look forward to. Great craftsmanship at such a young age, kind of reminds me of myself when I was his age some 40 odd years ago.
As a few others have said below... It takes a lot of skill for a kid that age to do this. It's 2023 !! so even more... it takes a lot of sacrifice too. Most 19 year olds (and my youngest is now 19) care more about social media, cars, what their friends think and what they're doing - maybe more depending on where they live. He is a machine.
Very impressive! And as a man who works in the trades as an electrician, it's almost impossible to find and hire a young lad to work on our team. The last one quit before lunch! And let's not forget his parents, he must have a loving mother, and father. Also a hard find these days, not saying most are doing their best, but I believe we have structured our society in such a way that we've lost a very important element in raising our children insofar as two bread winners are now often required to maintain a household, but that's a rather tricky conversation for another time ;) I guess I'll admit that I miss the old days! At any rate, this young man brings to our modern world a glimmer of hope!
Man, I love this channel. It is such a joy to see you and your son try out different video formats. You both have true artistic instincts, on top of a wealth of craftsman wisdom. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures, it genuinely enriches my view of the world.
i'd like to try one out when they become available. I've always used the back of a regular claw hammer for form-digging, if that doesn't get it, a shovel is nearby. yes hammer gets dirty but i don't use it for interior work. It seems like swinging the extra mass while bent over digging would be tiresome but i may be surprised.
Man that kid is pretty impressive. Takes a lot of skill to do what he does. With that being said I've worked at a smelting plant for 15 years and I've had hot slag pop into the corner of my eye. Hope this young man invests in some good safety glasses so he can do this for a long time without injury
My thoughts exactly as I watched this young man with HEALTHY EYES…. Protect them!
Don't forget hearing protection. I'm pretty shure he had some on, I just want to add that. I've worked manual labor for 20+yrs and I'm basically deaf in one ear, and half deaf in the other. I couldn't imagine how quickly you'd go deaf in a smithy.
Highly skilled young man. I too hope he gets some PPE.
@Don Wilburn: I worked for 16 years in an ophthalmology clinic, and I couldn’t help but think the exact same thing!
I was thinking the same thing !!!!
I have absolutely no use for a hammer like that, but I’m damn sure gonna buy one when they are available. What craftsmanship.
As others have said I hope this young man will protect his eyes. He has years of productivity ahead of him if he takes care of himself.
I have a bit of a hammer collection. I'd buy this just because it looks so great. I don't actually need one either.
Same here. I’lol buy it in hopes that I will find a use for it someday.
Expect to pay in the hundreds of dollars I’m sure.
@@johnscott2076 I hope not. Looking at the rest of Andrew Larson’s hammers, his most expensive is $200. Hoping this is closer to the $100-$130 range.
Never say never.
I am a form carpenter in Washington state and very much looking forward to the availability of those hammers. Cheers and all the success to those involved!
Great workmanship throughout. I would like to ask that at that young age he should know that wearing proper eye protection through his process will allow him to see his finished work!
Eye protection is cheap!
He did a hell of a job with that hammer. He'll be doing work like that a lot longer if old timers like you would tell him how important it is to protect his eyes and lungs.
And his back. It's an impressive shop, sadly with zero thought into ergonomics. Those anvils need to be higher, although he might have them at a similar height to the power hammers for efficiency.
I agree 100% he has more talent at 19 than I will ever have but I want him to making these when he is 70
He'll learn. Non of us knew safety at 19 years old.
@@HoLeeFuk317 yeah? How'd we learn? Bad experiences? The advice of others? I'd rather a ton of us who've already taken our damage seriously relay the message to him than let him find out the hard way. It's free to help the kid avoid injury, it only costs something if you say nothing.
@@HoLeeFuk317 I learned a lot of those ergonomic lessons the hard way between the ages of 20 and 21 working manual labor, I have been working at a relatively easy on the body job for an additional year since then. The tinnitus and pain definitely isn't age related yet, and it doesn't get much better once the damage is done all I seem to be able to do is avoid making it worse.
I'm sure Andrew was learning from Scott as much as the other way round.
Seeing Scott sitting in the chair watching the work take place reminded me of the circle of learning. All he needed was a pipe and a beard to complete the picture.
What a talented young man who has his whole life ahead of him . Just imagine what he will achieve in his life time. Keep up the great work mate cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
Damn! This young man is truly talented. To think at his age he holds this much knowledge. He's got a great future ahead of him. Hope he finds a mentor such as yourself to guide him.
I don't think he needs a mentor
Very talented smith, that young man! I visited his website and his work; hammers, hand tools, top tools, bottom tools...the whole list is of excellent, A+ quality. He should be proud of what he has accomplished at such a young age! 👍
I was asking on the shop build video where you got that hammer! After a half hour of googling I had no luck finding out where I could get one and with this video it makes sense.
Excited to get one of these for my job
It's cool seeing a young man with this advanced of a skillset and this much dedication. I've always wanted to blacksmith, but I lack the space currently.
That said, I'm a welder/fitter and I'm starting my own business. I hope some day I get to the point where I need help and I plan to take on someone younger with an interest in learning a skill..
I had no one in my life to show me there were other ways of living.. Got addicted to heroin at 15 or 16. and lived a very dark life for a long time.
I can only imagine how different my it may have been had someone, my father or another adult man, taken an interest in me.
I have a son now, he turns 6 in two months. I do everything I possibly can to help him find what he enjoys (I have he gets into custom fabrication or something, since I have $20,000 worth of tools for those jobs that he can experiment with).
I just want to thank you for providing a good example for me to mirror in my relationship with my son and other's around me - in real life, I have no one who is a good enough man to use as an example and just observing how you interact with us, the viewers, and the people you work with has taught me a lot.
Thank you
I live in western ky and this young man makes me feel better about our state and country. So many young people don't even know what craftsman do let alone being one. God bless you for giving me more hope for our future. Keeping up the good work here in KY. Thank you and God bless
I have been watching each and every video you put out for several years and I have learned something worth keeping in my mind with every one of them. You‘ll be surprised to hear that I am a 75 y/o retired dentist and oral surgeon with a little shop to repair things around the house and make tools that I can make myself rather than shop around for them (and I have quite a few tools from my old office that are useful outside dentistry)! But I appreciate more than what I learn in the way of technical tips and tricks. I like the way you look at your work and your life and I especially like the way you interact and care for everybody around you that you live, work and interact with! Your work ethic and your social ethic is just the way I felt in my profession: if it is to be done it is worth to be done the best way you possibly can. Thank you for sharing that with us and greetings to you and your family from Mallorca where I moved to from Germany for my retirement. Keep up the good work.
I can only wonder how proud his parents must be, he’s AWESOME!
You've put out an amazing number of great videos that I've watched over the years. I'll put this one on top. This gives me hope for the future of our country.
Nice variation of a Stonemason's hammer, a wider pein for faster digging, larger face and cheek for added weight and ease of driving stakes.
I can tell he has learned some of the Brian Brazeal methods for hammers and tooling. Those hardy cut off tools are a dead give away. It makes my heart smile when seeing the younger guys getting into this craft. We need more young blood doing this stuff.
Don't worry, there's plenty. You just aren't looking hard enough.
One of the best things about the Brian Brazeal methods is that there is a well established system to train people in how to get things done. Very few living people in the US have a direct line of training that traces back to a master smith, proper training is a lot faster and more efficient than being self taught.
Scott, you are so magnanimous.
We really appreciate the effort you provide to showcasing the expertise of others. In this moment, we'd like to show you our appreciation for exposing us to the richness of the world - and of the people living in it.
what a pleasant natured young man, and a joy to listen to two Americans who can speak good clear understandable English. unlike so many nowadays with their nasel whinning, throat choking straining, acrobating attempts at same.
a real pleasure to listen to.
the rest of you whinning groaners take note. Greetings from London UK, thanks
I have a hammer from Andrew! It’s a 3.5lb classic rounding hammer. Great video
It is very apparent that he was raised right and taught the value of work ethics. Far too many people today are never taught the value of a hard day's work or what it takes to be successful in any indever you decide to undertake. He reminds me of liam hoffman and his ax making business.
Not having any of the skills you show on your channel , it excites me to watch a fellow with almost instinctive talents work at his craft but a 19year old , it's magnificent. I guess I'm living living their life through watching them I know so all I can say is thank you for the thrill of making your hammer for you.
What a fine craftsman he is.
That young man is legitimately impressive. I live in TN and I am always looking for a good tool maker and he has jumped to the top of my list when I am looking for hammers or tools for the shop.
Wonderful video EC! It's great to learn of a younger generation continuing on with a skill so it stays fresh in our lives for another generation.
Watching this young man work was a joy.
What a blessing.
Oh my gosh! This young man, and I am sure there some others, truly gives us hope. His tenacity to learn at such a young age and his parents wise guidance and encouragement, has produce an exceptional young Blacksmith. Strong work, Andrew (mom and dad).
Good Morning, I have been following your channel pretty much from the beginning. I started framing at age 18, 1970, and still get excited when I see the lumber truck show up. Over many years I’ve covered all types of carpentry and construction. I love your passion for your tools especially the skillsaw. I live in New Jersey and on the East Coast we favor the arbor saw with the blade on the right. I still have my Father’s Porter Cable that was built in 1950. That’s what I broke in on. Still use them today as well as the Skillsaw. In fact I have probably over 40 saws in all. I share you passion for tools it now at 70 I wonder how much longer I will be able to use them. Well I wi use them until I can’t. I guess then I will spend whatever time I have left fixing and cleaning them. Thanks for the ride my friend. Love your channel and your devotion to our trade. Thanks
One word comes to mind: Impressive. Impressive young man; impressive skill; impressive process; impressive product.
Thanks for the video. 👍
Very talented young fella. Obviously he has the desire and personal drive to excel at what he is doing. Fantastic to see a hard dirty old school trade being taken up by a new generation young man. Very cool
Sadly there's not nearly enough young men entering most trades, especially blacksmithing - why pay $275 for hammer when you can buy a Chinese factory made one from HomeDepot for $15. Soon, Americans want know how to make anything. Really worrisome.
I hope you have already patented this 'Form Setting Hammer'. If not, I urge you to do it as soon as possible. Thank you EC for this video.
@@TheRealCheckmate Bro hammer was probably the first tool ever used by man do not underestimate the hammer.
I guess I don’t care if a big corporation starts making these hammers. I only want one designed by Scott, and made by this young man. It will cost more……I don’t care. I feel like I’d be investing in Scott and this young man. It seems these days we’ve been distracted by “looking more at the price tag, than the product/process”. If you think of it, obtaining and utilizing this hammer won’t cost you anything….rather it will pay you!
This hammer could more easily receive a design patent than a utility patent. Just don't fall for any of those commercialized "Let us patent your..." you see advertised. Intellectual property rights lawyers is the 1st line of opportunity to a "published" patent. Or an inventor can do it themselves. It us daunting however, but doable.
The problem with a patent is its only worth what you are willing to spend defending it. These will be in Harbor Freight in three years, we will know the difference between this soon to be made disposable version, versus one that is crafted!
@@TheRealCheckmate Why should a big corporation make money off his design. The patent is not that expensive considering the profits that could be made. However much demand for the product there is determines the profit, and he could always sell that patent, too.
Where I live the local fleet store sells a "Trapline hammer" which has similar use case too yours, it's a cross peen hammer with a bit welded to inward slope of the cross to for a digging bit. Albeit a bit more crude necessity really is the mother of invention in all professions.
This is what you call surrounding yourself with the right people. You are the average of the company you keep and this young man is a superstar. Great stuff!! Scott any chance you are going to auction off the exact hammer that he made there?
I'm so glad to see so much talent recognized in one video. Riley is a super human. Brian is very talented and has the youth and time to take on the task. Happy to see this coming together
Kudos to you both, just simply fantastic work from you both ! Cannot wait to get Andrew’s hammers in my welding shop and I have spread the word ( this video to half a dozen form companies. This is how i like things to work in the world that surrounds me. Thank you to you all at the Essential Craftsman team.
As a concreter in Australia I have been thinking and looking for this exact design to no avail. Identical to how I envisioned apart from we use start pickets often to form, so I would also make the digging side a claw to pull pickets then it’s be perfect. Beautiful hammer
Fascinating and instructive video with Mr. Andrew Larson.
Started at about age eleven,when most boys are about to finish grade school..an age when many lads were apprenticed to tradesmen and craftsmen. How many eleven year old boys do we know that are that focused on acquiring a difficult skill set? Rare these days, even going back 30-40 years.
In the 50's and into the mid 60's Jr high schools had basic introductory shop classes, wood, metal, auto, and printing...and for those inclined vocational high schools offered in depth learning and hands on practice....all now abandoned along with serious phys ed. Sad state of affairs that because off this void unions have trouble inticing apprentices to learning well paying skills. ..
But young Mr. Andrew Larson is a bright spot....thanks for sharing with us.
Great to see such a talented young blacksmith. Spent 50 enjoyable years as a sparky. Keep hearing how many new tradesmen they will need in the next ten years as guys retire not enough young guys & gals going into the trades. Made a lot of money getting my hands dirty. Worked 5 days a week for a company that gave me great benefits & a pension and often did 25 hours a week moonlighting.
He does fabulous work but I can't believe he doesn't wear safety glasses I hope he doesn't learn the hard way, good video
Yes, I was also Very Surprised with all that knowledge and equipment, that he didn't wear safety glasses?
Wow what craftsmanship. Awesome video and looks like an amazing product.. Just ordered a 5lb’er.
It is so wounderful to see a young man so knowledgeable and deadicated to his craft. It gives me hope that some will come along after I'm gone to be Master Craftsmen.
We used to see many many father son teams and thus apprenticeship’s were completed. Still today we see mentorship’s in the trades.. We are losing this to.. There are a few hobby folks moving into trades but not many.. 60 years ago we had high schools offering metal shop, woodshop and much more being taught.. Today it’s tough to find such anywhere in many high schools.. I must say though that thru efforts like this utube channels are helping folks find a way into trade.. thanks to both of you for this production.. ☺️
In a society that focuses too much time on young folks wasting time, it is good to see this young man using all his faculties and sharing his skills so many will benefit from. Thank you for sharing these serious skills! Respect.
My Dad was a Glazier in Las Vegas for almost 40 yrs. Was always too busy to use eye protection. the 2 nd time they had to take his Right Eye out to clean out metal shavings from the eye, he found the time.
2014 to 2019. I worked in Jeffersonvill Indiana, Shepardvill Kentucky which I made great friends and still remember. Thank you Downey Ca ❤❤❤
Seeing this helps to rekindle the feeling that perhaps there is hope yet. Once in a while you meet an old soul and realize it. Andrew seems to display so many of the qualities needed to achieve a "good life", and I sincerely wish that for him. As someone who has been in the trades for more than sixty years and paid the price of injury and lots of wear and tear damage, I'd echo so many others here and just request that more consistent use of PPE be considered. The slight loss of freedom is a small price to pay to protect the gifts bestowed upon him. Outstanding story and video!
In Germany this type of hammer shovel combination has been around for quite some time, known as Maurerhammer.
Looks like a masons hammer, we have something similar but is way too light to drive stakes.
My gusse 65 years old press
Too light but good for digging
Both men are great! Young very industrious guy, older competent yet teachable man.
Every so often there's a reason for me to believe the younger generation is in good hands. Here's another reason
The kids are all right, don't you worry one bit.
It’s a real treat to watch a craftsman,Tons of respect 👍👊🫡🇺🇸 Made in the USA!!!!!
Love it. I share your admiration for this young man, his work ethic, the quality of his work.
As a hobbyist metal worker and jeweler I really enjoy this kind
of content.
Thank you!
If I had the money, I'd buy one of every hammer he makes. I'm going to start learning to fordge this year. I've made a few small things with torches and a hammer, but what he does is truly an art. He's amazing and only 19 years old. Good luck with everything you do young man. You're going places that's for sure.
Kentucky proud right there. Hope all us Kentuckians you meet were welcoming to you.
One of your best episodes. Well done.
That, my friends, is poetry in motion! Amazing talent
That was spectacular! I would like to hear the young man's story and how he came to possess such skills. My Dad was a builder and one of his grade school buddies had a welding/ fabrication shop. Wes Mallard Welding, Monroe CT. Superb fabricator and did numerous repairs of aging equipment. One thing that afflicted him after decades of hammering was nerve damage in his arms and shoulder, predominantly his dominant hand. When someone is at the start of such a career, there must be ways to innovate the current tools 'tor reduce the hammer shock conducted into the smithys arm and shoulder.
Beautiful. Man I love your channel, I've been watching a lot while stuck at home with covid. I can't wait to get back to work and swing my hammer!
Dang, man, that is so beautiful.. your hammer design his skill in hot forming... You really landed on your feet in finding this shop. Thanks so much for posting, I have wanted to see such for decades. A+++
Beautifully setup shop (definitely great workflow options), great to see a young man turning out such beautiful work, I missed out on the first run, will be ordering one asap. I wish I could give this episode more thumbs ups.
It can take you a long way, if you discover your passion early on. Good luck with your journey, Andrew!
So good to see some gentleman that has the work ethics of the past! Thank you for giving me faith in the future! He’s been blessed to teach!
What a bright future this young man has. I sure wish he'd use tinted safety glasses while he's forging since the heat produces extremely bright light, and over time that can damage the eyes since it's not natural light.
It's videos like this that bring me happiness, to see to different generations making and learning new things. It's an absolute pleasure! Thank you.
Great hammer! The years I spent clearing out footers while setting forms going between sledge, craftsman 24 oz, and then sometimes a shovel to make clearance for a form.
Kind of got a Ken Jordan moment there at the end with you in the chair watching Andrew.
Andrew is a great smith, and all around great guy. It's been a pleasure knowing him for the past couple of years. I always learn something new when I see him.
Truly impressed!
Outstanding video! I look forward to when these will be available thru the Essential Craftsman Academy.
Wow! What an inspiration to see such a master of his craft so early in his life. The products are simply beautiful, purpose built implements created by such an incredibly talented craftsman. Thank you so much for sharing this story!
He might not appreciate being called a 'kid". From what I witnessed he is unmistakably a young man.
Wow. 19 going on 40 is right. Andrew certainly looks quite at home in his shop. Great video.
Keep up the good work 👏
That man has super skills. Very disciplined at what he does to have achieved that at his age. The good thing i love about craftmanship basically is that it gives you fulfillment and a lot of it in just making and building things. I would love to own a thing or two of what this guy has made. Much respect from 🇰🇪 Kenya. Thanks a lot for sharing this beautifully done video. As you say it "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK"
Brilliant. This gives this old carpenter a lot of hope for the trades and craftsmanship in the future. I have an Estwing dedicated to form work and the claw is let's say a bit shorter than it used to be because of digging with it. I will be acquiring one of these sledge spades as soon as possible for my last build which is my own house.
and just as all the other old dogs have said, That young man needs to wear some eye protection at a minimum. Best wishes.
I have to applaud Andrew.
It becomes really unusual to meet such a young man these skill levels and a great workshop he runs on his own.
Bravo 👏👏👏
@Essential Craftsman keep up with the good work 👍. I'm a fan of your videos
This young man has the magic touch !
I am not a blacksmith, but I grew up next door to one. His shop was a playground for me and my friends, so I recognize the tools and techniques. That said, I taught commercial woodworking/cabinetmaking for 30 years and I can echo your comments about the maturity and poise of this young man. I had a few students like him and they have all gone on to have successful careers. I am extremely impressed by his work and especially by his attitude and his ability to explain his process. It is rare to find a young person that has that depth of wisdom. His work is outstanding. (I do also echo previous comments about eye protection!)
This fine young man is amazing turning out a beautiful and unique product from scratch. The custom tooling he made to produce the curve on the hammer is impressive. When I see "Made in China" on everything today I want to lose hope in this country. But then I watch a video like this and I get a burst of hope that not all is lost and that we still have young people our there with a passion for working with their hands and making things. I left the machinist trade back in 1979 because I saw the writing on the wall for manufacturing here in the US but I still keep my hand in machining in my home workshop. I believe that true craftsmen are born. This sort of thing is in your blood and you have a passion for it.
What a clean, organized, efficient, and spacious shop! Two words though - safety glasses!
ON TOP OF HIS GAME AT 19!!
I WAS A WELL DOING MECHANIC AT HIS AGE,
THANKS TO SOME GREAT MENTORS!
WHAT EVER THE CRAFT, THERE ARE A LUCKY FEW THAT “GET IT “ FAR EARLIER THAN MOST!!
That’s amazing.
You and my dad might know each other my dad did concrete work in Las vegas around that same time and when I saw your photos at the start it brought back memories of me hanging around while my dad would lay cement! I hated it back then but I see and appreciate the hard work men like you and my dad do! His name is David Empey!
A well spoken young man who has a decent future to look forward to. Great craftsmanship at such a young age, kind of reminds me of myself when I was his age some 40 odd years ago.
The kids good, and hes got his head on straight. He's got a very bright future ahead of him.
When we come across a dedicated young craftsman like that it gives you a little more hope for the future.
As a few others have said below... It takes a lot of skill for a kid that age to do this. It's 2023 !! so even more... it takes a lot of sacrifice too. Most 19 year olds (and my youngest is now 19) care more about social media, cars, what their friends think and what they're doing - maybe more depending on where they live. He is a machine.
This young man surely makes his parents proud. He's got the drive to be successful in life. I'll be purchasing *something* from him eventually.
Welcome To KY EC & Family/Whoever Came With .lol. ! Proud To Have You !
No college but the craftsmanship and pride he may have is more than many men have now days a true hard working man
Probably the coolest video you've made. Watching a 'master' in his craft is amazing!!! Well done!!!
I have a couple old two pound Stanley hex head framers.
They swing very well, I really like the hex heads.
I like the look of this two.
He's good.
Essential Craftsman I just happen to find your channel and now I am hooked. Thank you for sharing, this young man so impressive.
Very impressive! And as a man who works in the trades as an electrician, it's almost impossible to find and hire a young lad to work on our team. The last one quit before lunch! And let's not forget his parents, he must have a loving mother, and father. Also a hard find these days, not saying most are doing their best, but I believe we have structured our society in such a way that we've lost a very important element in raising our children insofar as two bread winners are now often required to maintain a household, but that's a rather tricky conversation for another time ;) I guess I'll admit that I miss the old days! At any rate, this young man brings to our modern world a glimmer of hope!
Most impressive and I don’t doubt this young man will have a long career ahead of him. good luck
Man, I love this channel. It is such a joy to see you and your son try out different video formats. You both have true artistic instincts, on top of a wealth of craftsman wisdom. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures, it genuinely enriches my view of the world.
A Awesome Video!
And a Aweso.e Young Man!!!
GOD Bless you all!!!!😇
i'd like to try one out when they become available. I've always used the back of a regular claw hammer for form-digging, if that doesn't get it, a shovel is nearby. yes hammer gets dirty but i don't use it for interior work. It seems like swinging the extra mass while bent over digging would be tiresome but i may be surprised.
That young man is truly inspiring.
Perfect!!! I’ll take two!
Future of America!
Can’t believe how young he is. So much knowledge and skill for his age. He must have been a blacksmith in a prior life👍
That young man is talented for sure.
Great video. Great job Andrew. And you yourself are very Humble and I love that about you.