56FordGuy

Unfortunately, I've had very little time to do much of anything specific. I've been using the knife as much as practical as a 'daily' knife. Tomorrow night there will be some dedicated testing, then it should ship out on Friday to TheBisch. :)

I'm interested, but I can't commit just yet. May be moving before too long. Do you have a particular date in mind? If everything works out, I should be able to bring a propane forge, anvil, and some tools.

What type of event do you have in mind? A class, or just general forging? One day, or multiple?

I know there are some folks here that know more about this stuff than I do. I have a Clarion DXZ655MP, and it uses the Clarion CeNet port on the back. I want to go from the CeNet port, and put a female USB jack in the dash that I can connect an iPhone cable to. I don't want to go straight from the CeNet port to the iPhone, because I don't want to have a cable hanging out from under the dash when nothing is connected to it. I'd like to go with a plug in the dash to keep everything nice and clean. How can I do this? I can't find adapters from the CeNet port to USB. Am I just out of luck?

A good director/ striker team is impressive. A bad team doesn't last long.

[quote name='Spots' timestamp='1354760401' post='855522'] Ive got a 24 lb sledge but can't find anyone willing to swing the bastard. [/quote] Not sure I blame them...

[quote name='Spots' timestamp='1354737642' post='855340']...and the 10 lb hammer is good for when I've got a striker working with me[/quote] You need a big hammer! We used a block of steel striking anvil and a 14 lb sledge to forge a hammer this last weekend. Simple and effective. Looks like your stuff is coming together!

I love my propane forge. Coal has an advantage for doing large work though, it's easier to let something stick up out of the fire. There are a couple of blacksmithing groups here in Middle TN. One is located in Murfreesboro, and the other meets at in Fiddler's Grove on the Wilson county fairgrounds.

The knife arrived today. First impressions are good, it's definitely solid. The handle is a bit loose as someone mentioned before, but it's certainly a functional, comfortable knife. I should be able to get some testing done this week!

Great start, UncleJak!

New or used? Shelbyville TN has an awful lot of horse trailer dealers. Good luck!

Woohoo!

[quote name='Spots' timestamp='1353814265' post='850298'] Does anyone have any questions, comments? [/quote] Looks good so far, but you know that! For those just starting out, don't discount the big hunk of steel anvil idea. Lots of blacksmiths with 'normal' London pattern anvils also have a big hunk of steel on a stand as a 'striking anvil'. When you're working with hardy tools, the striking anvil being just a bit lower than your regular working anvil puts the top of the hardy tool at a normal height. It's also nice for working with a striker (hence the name) using a sledge hammer. If the striker misses a blow, damage to a mild steel block is much easier to repair than damage to the face of a 'normal' anvil. If you start out with just a big hunk of steel, rest assured that you will continue to find uses for it long after you get another anvil.

[quote name='Ray Z' timestamp='1353288601' post='847887'] We stopped at the animal shelter in Madisonville about a year ago. Wife wanted a cat. We ended up with a 2 pound cat and a 87 pound [way under weight] black German Shepard. He was on his way to get put down when I spotted him. Best dog I ever had. He is over 110 pounds now [about where he belongs] and smart as a whip. [/quote] It's a long and boring backstory, but just a few months back I rescued a black German Shepherd who was also significantly underweight, at 84 lbs. Had some medical issues, but it looks like we've got a handle on them. Don't run across too awful many black GSDs.

Looks like a good time had by all!

Looks good so far!

[quote name='maroonandwhite' timestamp='1353079632' post='846543'] The main thing I want is to be able to go in the store and have a pair fitted to my foot exactly. [/quote] Good luck! The Red Wing store in Madison, TN has measured my feet for every pair of boots I've bought from them. I've been told I was a 13, 13.5, and a 14- and not in that order! Seems it came up different every time they did it.

I've gone through 5 pairs of Red Wing boots in 6 years. I have a worn out set now, and will be buying something else. They all fail the same way. The leather on top of the steel toe used to wear through first, within the first 6 months. I started applying Tuff Toe to the last few pairs, that stopped most of that. The tope would last at least as long as the rest of the boot. Aside from that issue, the sole and inner lining where the steel toe is would wear out at about the same pace. The steel toe would start tearing up socks, so there was no point in having them resoled. I'm very unimpressed. I expect more than a year to 14 months out of a pair of expensive boots.

Just out of curiosity, what size steel stock did this knife start out as?

I'd like to take part, too.

I don't drink much anymore, but would make an exception for Lone Star. I'd like to try Pearl, too. Yeah, I know.

Pretty sure it's a Texas specialty, like Lone Star.

I met a gentleman a few months ago that built his own log home. Had a truckload of logs delivered, dried them and had them cut, then built it. Just curious, what do you not like about the kits?

There are cars outside every bar. +1 for personal responsibility!

Beats me. Booze and cars are just as dangerous.