Old Falls Village - b.s. classes

  Jeff S. and Pat H. have finished week 5 of the beginner blacksmithing classes. It was nice to  have them be able to start up a coal fire in less than 5 minutes just before I get there to teach classes. They have gotten used to a brisk 20 minute warm up to build muscle memory and anvil conditioning. Once focused on the task at hand, we are now working on harder and harder projects with thicker and thick metals. They need to feel the metal beneath the anvil and hammer move to their own wills. We pushed it to the limits this week as we tried to emulate leaf making out of .375" sq HRS. We used a method out of an Alex Steele video to teach you hammer control and metal isolation.

  The week prior, we ended class by making the Frederick's cross according to my adaptation. This taught them that not everything they can envision turns out the way you want to have it. I think it set the bar pretty high for the wow factor. It is definitely  a huge step a head of making J hooks out of nails. Yet  drawing out metal is the foundation for all that we do in the beginner classes. This coming weekend, we meet with the board of Old Falls Village to show them what they are getting for their investment in the new blacksmith shop. Keep you posted in the weeks ahead as the adventures continue. 

Alan - Rustic Anvil Forge LLC

PS - we are designing our of touch mark on line with a vendor in Idaho. Expensive but worth it.