Every time I hear someone talk about blacksmithing being a man's hobby or men's work I just laugh and laugh and then tell them to watch your videos Jennifer. I don't care if you are a man or a woman anyone who moves steel the way you do is one thing in my mind and that simply is TALENTED. I read on one of the forums your brief story about how you came to hammering steel and your earlier years learning from books and putting written word to practice with hammer and steel and I for one am completely blown away with the amount of time and energy and materials you must have gone through in order to get where you are today. Your knowledge and willingness to share it with others is incredible for the blacksmithing community as a whole. I know it's a lot of work to make these videos and doing all the editing and everything else that goes in to it but I just wanted to tell you thank you and at the very least I am extremely appreciative of you doing it for all us. Keep up the great job and I look forward to seeing more of your work. I'd be very interested in seeing you and Roy Adam's from christ centered ironworks getting together for some type of super project. You both have that great classical approach to blacksmithing that would go together like bread and butter lol. Hope you have a fantastic day/week/year.
Hi, I really, really appreciate your kind words.. RUclips is one of those love, hate relationships for me.. I love, love, love getting out good content for people like yourself.. and yes, it does take 2X the amount of editing because of the cameras.. I was hoping to generate more content once I'm moved into the new school.. but with aging and working fully time on the horses I don't have as much energy to spread around.. Your assumptions and observations on the number of materials and experimentation leave me with a bunch of insights for sure.. I'm sorry I did not respond to your generous and kind comments sooner.. I've been away from this type of media for awhile now.. Thank you again.. I really mean it.. Thank you..
The precision evident in the finished pieces is always amazing to me since it is achieved by pouding steel with a hammer on an anvil. In your case in every video, you make each hammer blow do a precise job. Thanks for posting yet another video. Such a pleasure to watch. It makes one dream that he can make it and want to go out there and try it.
Thank you Ives, Glad to see you are poking around videos and taking the time to comment.. Makes a difference for sure. These are definitely worth a try but the Video #1 will show a much easier way.. Just a little upsetting and space between boss and jaw.. Makes it much easier. Happy New year.
@@jlpservicesinc1452 I am sure a much easier way might be interesting but, as interesting as this one? Realy? I have parts of box tongs lying around (got taken away by a contract), and I was inspired by the Hungarian blacksmiths when I forged them. I liked their way of keeping a lot of mass in the jaws, forging them at an angle and keeping the mass next to the boss. Interesting that the two techniques would come out looking much the same. However, your method produces a sturdier jaw which is probably required for 1-¼" stock. Mine are for ¼"x ¾" flat stock. Beefier is not required in this case I believe. I'll weld the reins this week… I think… Thanks again for these videos where I learn so much. And I am not alone, I'm sure.
I use flat jaw tongs the most.. Then hollow jaw or bolt tongs.. Box jaw tongs certainly work the best for flatwork as it lessens the possibility of the stock popping out of the jaws with side profile work. Over the years I think I have 2 pairs of box jaw and don't even know where they are.. :) Well I know where 1 pair are.. :) chuckle..
Thanks Jennifer. It was good to see you take on and coach us through a project like this. I saw you and your demo trailer in Fitchburg this summer. The trailer is awesome and I love the pieces you are creating, but I hope someday you’ll be setup in a shop that has better acoustics than the trailer for your videos. Keep up the great work! Very impressive.
Your welcome Jay, Blacksmtihing school is coming along slow and steady. With covid and a full-time work schedule it's hard to get things done quickly.. The trailer is terrible for acoustics.. Much better with the doors open but even then it's just a large eco chamber.. Not worth it to put in foam or something to absorb the sound and reverb.. This time of the year the trailer is very cold.. I have a heater for it this year but still have to keep the doors closed sorta.. I wear earplugs when I work in there.. With the Panasonic GH5 filming the sound is better as I wear the lapel mic. I've been struggling to produce content at all and might go with a Patreon pay-to-view account.. Happy New year.. Thanks
Hello There Rob, Happy new year.. These particular tongs are for a little heavier work.. I like my tongs stought. Many who work with me or take lessons end up liking the little bit more heft as well. Video #1 in this series will be for lighter weight tongs with a space between the pivot boss and the jaw.. Much easier to make.. Scale from 1-10 will be about a 3.. I've decided that the 1-5 scale is to sharp of a curve so will go to a 1-10 scale. On a scale from 1-10 these are a solid 5.5, maybe even 6 depending on forging prowess. Your welcome.
Thanks, you too! We will have to see.. There might be some changes coming to the channel.. The announcement will be on the Patreon page and youtube community once I make the decision..
Happy New Year! Best wishes of health happiness and modicum of prosperity! Love the video and the opportunity to learn God bless now Crawford out🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
Tip I learned recently is that some people have a tapered radius of the edge of one side of the anvil, maybe 1/8" up to 1/2" from one end to the other for any radius choice you desire available. On your anvil, tiny radius by the flat horn tapered to the large radius at the round horn would blend in nicely. Where as on my anvil (100 lb William Forester coach maker) it's so small I may only go to 1/4" instead of 1/2"
Not a fan of 1/2" radius on the anvil.. Largest radius I have ever had on an anvil is a 1/4".. I've never needed anything larger.. This being an anvil that is nearly brand new it's easy to remove the metal but impossible to put it back.. So, I don't recommend taking metal off a new anvil unless you know exactly what you want for radius and length. I do very small adjustments as I go along and that way I can get used to the anvil and it's functions.. As I forge I watch the results and if I don't like what I am seeing I take just a smidge more off. I'm nearly to the radius I want now.
Great video, thank you. I like the measured pace of work and the clear explanations. Would you normally forge with the bench facing you, or are you doing so to suit the camera and space available. I would think it sticking out might get in the way somewhat ?
Thanks.. You are welcome.. I try to keep the information as concise as I can.. because of the length of the videos, i get to feel like I'm just talking to myself so I kind of get quiet toward the ends.. The side shelf is technically supposed to face away from the person.. This is a right-hand pattern anvil. and I have it in a left-handed position. Because this anvil does not have any kind of a shelf or drop like on a North German pattern or a London pattern anvil.. having the side shelf facing me is handy. it gives me a corner face (90 degrees both left and right of my body centerline). So scarfing chain is easy. I also find it handy when beveling since the shelf is heavy and imparts a good solid feel when working on it. I'm getting ready to design my own style of anvils and they will have a side shelf on both sides.. The side shelves are very handy once one figures out the advantages. Good catch on the space.. All the videos are recorded in a trailer and space is it at a premium ..
@@jlpservicesinc1452 Many thanks for your detailed reply, much appreciated. I have 2 London Pattern anvils so I don't have a side shelf. I work with the horn to my hammer hand [right] and the Hardy to the left. As a young fella, I used to strike in a 3 man shop and that was the way they all worked, so that is the way I tried when I came back to Smithing 50 or more years later. I guess we all find our own way of doing things that suits us best and I have made sure there is plenty of room to work all round my main anvil. Both mine are cast steel and the cutting plates are as hard as the main face so never get used for cutting. I do keep edges and corners on them really crisp and find this comes in handy from time to time, most often for marking out and cleaning up. I look forward to one day seeing your new design in action
Brand new.. Well a few years old now.. You can order one too from www.blksmth.com/ernst-refflinghaus-anvils/ Holland anvil makes a great product as well and is here in the USA.. I'm a huge fan of buying new especially if starting out.. If cared for well an anvil is a lifetime investment.
@@jlpservicesinc1452finally!!!! I have been searching the comments to see if that anvil is a Refflinghaus.. I’ve looked at the hollands and the ER and the taper from the face to the bick/horn is just lovely on a refflinghaus, compared to a Holland. Another lovely anvil is from Hoffman forge. They are closer to the Holland in design but closer to ER in finish. I truly enjoy your content, and passion for the craft. Keep up the excellent work! You are inspiring to many others.
@@larryduttry9400 LOL.. Feel free to reach out with questions.. I'm happy to answer.. Yes, it's and Ernst Refflinghaus.. Brand new import from Germany thru Shadygrove blacksmith.. It's a 2019.. I was told they only make 5 of these in the 460lbs a year.. I chose this model because this was the narrowist face width for the weight.. I do have plans in the future to have my own pattern cast in a 500lbs model out of H13.. Sadly the longer it takes to finish the school the less likely this will actually happen.. If it does take place the anvils design will incorporate all the desires I've wanted over the last 40 years smithing. My anvil design moves away from traditional designs in some regards as I'm looking at efficiency at the anvil.. I'm hoping to post a lot of content once the school is open for business..
@@jlpservicesinc1452 well I have always wished for a very specific anvil design but everyone always comes up short somewhere in features somehow.. it figures the ones that I like the most are the most expensive and from Germany which tells me they are old world quality. I appreciate your response and look forward to more of the school in the future. I have always wanted to attend a school and get experience from a true professional. Sometimes it can get expensive with fuel and materials and mostly time, to learn from trial and error but videos like yours help immensely to provide some information that removes some guess work. 25 years of on again off again relearning what was mentally misplaced and the muscle memory is also somewhat aggravating at times. That’s why these videos are so helpful. It’s not a full replacement for school but it’s definitely enjoyable to watch a passionate teacher doing what they enjoy and helping others somewhat straighten that really big learning curve.
I'm very limited on room.. It's a trailer so can't stand in front of the vise without running into the anvil on something like that.. Rather be on the safe side of the anvil and have control vs falling into it. :) LOL.. By the way.. Anvil is 460lbs. Stand is 300lbs and it's locked into the trailers frame which is a lot.. :)
@@jlpservicesinc1452 am watching the basket twist handle video you made 2 yrs ago, can definitely hear the echo of being in a trailer, maybe cut out some "windows" you can open up? Might be cooler also with some air flow, and cold rainy days can close them up🤔
@@billwoehl3051 They already open.. It's a demonstration trailer.. This was filmed in winter.. Gets mighty cold.. In fact you can see ice sticking out of the slack tub in that video.. :) I've been shopless since 2004 years. the primary shop is housed in the trailer.. Well at least until I finish the school.
Happy new year Jennifer! I absolutely love this channel, I've probably learned more from you than from any other youtuber. But please get a better microphone 🥺 It's very hard to hear or understand what you're saying. Please don't take that the wrong way, It's just that I don't want to miss anything 😉
Happy New year.. thanks on the channel.. I have a lapel mic.. Time comes in short order.. Lucky to get any videos at all.. The sound is all reverby because of the trailer it's all steel and basically like talking into a pail.. When the doors are open it's a little better.. To run the lapel mic I have to use a different camera and wasn't going to get into that.. I was fortunate enough to film yesterday 12/31and edited this morning 1/1/2022 so you guys would have another holiday special to watch.
Every time I hear someone talk about blacksmithing being a man's hobby or men's work I just laugh and laugh and then tell them to watch your videos Jennifer. I don't care if you are a man or a woman anyone who moves steel the way you do is one thing in my mind and that simply is TALENTED. I read on one of the forums your brief story about how you came to hammering steel and your earlier years learning from books and putting written word to practice with hammer and steel and I for one am completely blown away with the amount of time and energy and materials you must have gone through in order to get where you are today. Your knowledge and willingness to share it with others is incredible for the blacksmithing community as a whole. I know it's a lot of work to make these videos and doing all the editing and everything else that goes in to it but I just wanted to tell you thank you and at the very least I am extremely appreciative of you doing it for all us. Keep up the great job and I look forward to seeing more of your work. I'd be very interested in seeing you and Roy Adam's from christ centered ironworks getting together for some type of super project. You both have that great classical approach to blacksmithing that would go together like bread and butter lol. Hope you have a fantastic day/week/year.
Hi, I really, really appreciate your kind words.. RUclips is one of those love, hate relationships for me..
I love, love, love getting out good content for people like yourself.. and yes, it does take 2X the amount of editing because of the cameras..
I was hoping to generate more content once I'm moved into the new school.. but with aging and working fully time on the horses I don't have as much energy to spread around..
Your assumptions and observations on the number of materials and experimentation leave me with a bunch of insights for sure..
I'm sorry I did not respond to your generous and kind comments sooner.. I've been away from this type of media for awhile now..
Thank you again.. I really mean it.. Thank you..
The precision evident in the finished pieces is always amazing to me since it is achieved by pouding steel with a hammer on an anvil. In your case in every video, you make each hammer blow do a precise job. Thanks for posting yet another video. Such a pleasure to watch. It makes one dream that he can make it and want to go out there and try it.
Thank you Ives, Glad to see you are poking around videos and taking the time to comment.. Makes a difference for sure.
These are definitely worth a try but the Video #1 will show a much easier way.. Just a little upsetting and space between boss and jaw.. Makes it much easier.
Happy New year.
@@jlpservicesinc1452 I am sure a much easier way might be interesting but, as interesting as this one? Realy?
I have parts of box tongs lying around (got taken away by a contract), and I was inspired by the Hungarian blacksmiths when I forged them. I liked their way of keeping a lot of mass in the jaws, forging them at an angle and keeping the mass next to the boss. Interesting that the two techniques would come out looking much the same. However, your method produces a sturdier jaw which is probably required for 1-¼" stock. Mine are for ¼"x ¾" flat stock. Beefier is not required in this case I believe. I'll weld the reins this week… I think…
Thanks again for these videos where I learn so much. And I am not alone, I'm sure.
Excellent as always. I find I use bolt and box jaw tongs most often.
Thanks for sharing.
I use flat jaw tongs the most.. Then hollow jaw or bolt tongs.. Box jaw tongs certainly work the best for flatwork as it lessens the possibility of the stock popping out of the jaws with side profile work. Over the years I think I have 2 pairs of box jaw and don't even know where they are.. :)
Well I know where 1 pair are.. :) chuckle..
Thanks Jennifer. It was good to see you take on and coach us through a project like this. I saw you and your demo trailer in Fitchburg this summer. The trailer is awesome and I love the pieces you are creating, but I hope someday you’ll be setup in a shop that has better acoustics than the trailer for your videos. Keep up the great work! Very impressive.
Your welcome Jay, Blacksmtihing school is coming along slow and steady. With covid and a full-time work schedule it's hard to get things done quickly..
The trailer is terrible for acoustics.. Much better with the doors open but even then it's just a large eco chamber.. Not worth it to put in foam or something to absorb the sound and reverb.. This time of the year the trailer is very cold.. I have a heater for it this year but still have to keep the doors closed sorta..
I wear earplugs when I work in there.. With the Panasonic GH5 filming the sound is better as I wear the lapel mic.
I've been struggling to produce content at all and might go with a Patreon pay-to-view account..
Happy New year.. Thanks
Happy New Year! Thankyou for the instruction and the inspiration!
Happy new year!
Stellar video. I learn so much from your work. I loved the bar break in the beginning. Whoof!
Glad you enjoyed it!
"hi I'm Jennifer, behold my arms that I will snap 3/4" steel bar with, like butter"
Rob, I was shocked myself.. A notch both sides to snap like butter.. Cheap steel.. :)
Great video, and excellent instruction on these tongs. I’ve been wanting to make a few sets of these. Thank you for this !
Hello There Rob, Happy new year.. These particular tongs are for a little heavier work.. I like my tongs stought.
Many who work with me or take lessons end up liking the little bit more heft as well.
Video #1 in this series will be for lighter weight tongs with a space between the pivot boss and the jaw.. Much easier to make.. Scale from 1-10 will be about a 3.. I've decided that the 1-5 scale is to sharp of a curve so will go to a 1-10 scale. On a scale from 1-10 these are a solid 5.5, maybe even 6 depending on forging prowess.
Your welcome.
Happy New Year and hope you had a great Christmas too! Great video as always. Finally found the time to watch it. Thanks
Happy new year. Glad you found some time. Thank you.
Good to see you and hope to see more videos from you this year. Great detail on all your videos stay safe and happy new year
Thanks, you too! We will have to see.. There might be some changes coming to the channel..
The announcement will be on the Patreon page and youtube community once I make the decision..
Happy New Year Jennifer, I hope 2022 treats you well!! Love the video
Thank you! You too!
Happy New Year! Best wishes of health happiness and modicum of prosperity!
Love the video and the opportunity to learn
God bless now
Crawford out🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
To you also.. Great new years for sure..
Tip I learned recently is that some people have a tapered radius of the edge of one side of the anvil, maybe 1/8" up to 1/2" from one end to the other for any radius choice you desire available. On your anvil, tiny radius by the flat horn tapered to the large radius at the round horn would blend in nicely. Where as on my anvil (100 lb William Forester coach maker) it's so small I may only go to 1/4" instead of 1/2"
Not a fan of 1/2" radius on the anvil.. Largest radius I have ever had on an anvil is a 1/4".. I've never needed anything larger..
This being an anvil that is nearly brand new it's easy to remove the metal but impossible to put it back..
So, I don't recommend taking metal off a new anvil unless you know exactly what you want for radius and length.
I do very small adjustments as I go along and that way I can get used to the anvil and it's functions.. As I forge I watch the results and if I don't like what I am seeing I take just a smidge more off.
I'm nearly to the radius I want now.
By the way.. If a larger radius is wanted or needed that is where different fullers come in..
@@jlpservicesinc1452 good points, I'm a beginner, so, still a lot to learn, thank you, Jennifer 🤔
Looks good , wish I had your hammer control .
Keep at it.. It will come..
Great video, thank you. I like the measured pace of work and the clear explanations.
Would you normally forge with the bench facing you, or are you doing so to suit the camera and space available. I would think it sticking out might get in the way somewhat ?
Thanks.. You are welcome.. I try to keep the information as concise as I can.. because of the length of the videos, i get to feel like I'm just talking to myself so I kind of get quiet toward the ends..
The side shelf is technically supposed to face away from the person..
This is a right-hand pattern anvil. and I have it in a left-handed position. Because this anvil does not have any kind of a shelf or drop like on a North German pattern or a London pattern anvil.. having the side shelf facing me is handy.
it gives me a corner face (90 degrees both left and right of my body centerline). So scarfing chain is easy.
I also find it handy when beveling since the shelf is heavy and imparts a good solid feel when working on it.
I'm getting ready to design my own style of anvils and they will have a side shelf on both sides.. The side shelves are very handy once one figures out the advantages.
Good catch on the space.. All the videos are recorded in a trailer and space is it at a premium ..
@@jlpservicesinc1452
Many thanks for your detailed reply, much appreciated.
I have 2 London Pattern anvils so I don't have a side shelf. I work with the horn to my hammer hand [right] and the Hardy to the left. As a young fella, I used to strike in a 3 man shop and that was the way they all worked, so that is the way I tried when I came back to Smithing 50 or more years later. I guess we all find our own way of doing things that suits us best and I have made sure there is plenty of room to work all round my main anvil. Both mine are cast steel and the cutting plates are as hard as the main face so never get used for cutting. I do keep edges and corners on them really crisp and find this comes in handy from time to time, most often for marking out and cleaning up.
I look forward to one day seeing your new design in action
Love the swivel tool rack on the anvil stand❤️ got a video on it?
There are a whole bunch of videos on the channel..
Here is the one on the stand and shelves..
ruclips.net/video/MlOF8RrXqlA/видео.html
Thanks
@@jlpservicesinc1452 thanks, they're awesome ❤️👍🤔
@@billwoehl3051 Your welcome Bill..
Which one of us does not?
That anvil tho 😍
Brand new.. Well a few years old now..
You can order one too from www.blksmth.com/ernst-refflinghaus-anvils/
Holland anvil makes a great product as well and is here in the USA..
I'm a huge fan of buying new especially if starting out.. If cared for well an anvil is a lifetime investment.
@@jlpservicesinc1452finally!!!! I have been searching the comments to see if that anvil is a Refflinghaus.. I’ve looked at the hollands and the ER and the taper from the face to the bick/horn is just lovely on a refflinghaus, compared to a Holland. Another lovely anvil is from Hoffman forge. They are closer to the Holland in design but closer to ER in finish. I truly enjoy your content, and passion for the craft. Keep up the excellent work! You are inspiring to many others.
@@larryduttry9400 LOL.. Feel free to reach out with questions.. I'm happy to answer..
Yes, it's and Ernst Refflinghaus.. Brand new import from Germany thru Shadygrove blacksmith..
It's a 2019.. I was told they only make 5 of these in the 460lbs a year.. I chose this model because this was the narrowist face width for the weight..
I do have plans in the future to have my own pattern cast in a 500lbs model out of H13.. Sadly the longer it takes to finish the school the less likely this will actually happen..
If it does take place the anvils design will incorporate all the desires I've wanted over the last 40 years smithing.
My anvil design moves away from traditional designs in some regards as I'm looking at efficiency at the anvil..
I'm hoping to post a lot of content once the school is open for business..
@@jlpservicesinc1452 well I have always wished for a very specific anvil design but everyone always comes up short somewhere in features somehow.. it figures the ones that I like the most are the most expensive and from Germany which tells me they are old world quality. I appreciate your response and look forward to more of the school in the future. I have always wanted to attend a school and get experience from a true professional. Sometimes it can get expensive with fuel and materials and mostly time, to learn from trial and error but videos like yours help immensely to provide some information that removes some guess work. 25 years of on again off again relearning what was mentally misplaced and the muscle memory is also somewhat aggravating at times. That’s why these videos are so helpful. It’s not a full replacement for school but it’s definitely enjoyable to watch a passionate teacher doing what they enjoy and helping others somewhat straighten that really big learning curve.
Lol, "snapped off like butter" meanwhile uses a 300+ lb anvil to brace against for leverage 😛😁👍
I'm very limited on room.. It's a trailer so can't stand in front of the vise without running into the anvil on something like that.. Rather be on the safe side of the anvil and have control vs falling into it. :) LOL..
By the way.. Anvil is 460lbs. Stand is 300lbs and it's locked into the trailers frame which is a lot.. :)
@@jlpservicesinc1452 👍🏼❤️
@@jlpservicesinc1452 am watching the basket twist handle video you made 2 yrs ago, can definitely hear the echo of being in a trailer, maybe cut out some "windows" you can open up? Might be cooler also with some air flow, and cold rainy days can close them up🤔
@@billwoehl3051 They already open.. It's a demonstration trailer.. This was filmed in winter.. Gets mighty cold.. In fact you can see ice sticking out of the slack tub in that video.. :)
I've been shopless since 2004 years. the primary shop is housed in the trailer.. Well at least until I finish the school.
Happy new year Jennifer! I absolutely love this channel, I've probably learned more from you than from any other youtuber. But please get a better microphone 🥺 It's very hard to hear or understand what you're saying.
Please don't take that the wrong way, It's just that I don't want to miss anything 😉
Happy New year.. thanks on the channel.. I have a lapel mic.. Time comes in short order.. Lucky to get any videos at all.. The sound is all reverby because of the trailer it's all steel and basically like talking into a pail.. When the doors are open it's a little better.. To run the lapel mic I have to use a different camera and wasn't going to get into that..
I was fortunate enough to film yesterday 12/31and edited this morning 1/1/2022 so you guys would have another holiday special to watch.
@@jlpservicesinc1452 Ok.. That sounds challenging 😅 But thanks for all your hard work. If you set up a patreon account I'd be happy to donate
@@jondrud3742 www.patreon.com/jlpservicesinc
@@jlpservicesinc1452 Done ;)
@@jondrud3742 Thanks.. Your very kind..
That make 3 patreon supporters.. Pretty awesome..