Hi everyone, my name is Edgared (Ed) Troche. I'm new to the craft, but have being interested in bladesmthing/blacksmithing for as long as I can remember. Finally was able to participate in an intro to bladesmithing at Broken Hammer Forge and realized I don't want to keep postponing the journey, so I started putting together tools/equipment and join ABS. Looking forward to learn from and appreciate everyone's craftsmanship and wisdom.
Outside of bladesmithing, I've been a combat medic (68W) for the Army National Guard for the past 14 years, and in my civilian side I work as a chemical engineer (regrettably not in the metallurgy sector). Attached is a picture of my first knife.
Any advice and guidance is greatly appreciated.
Safe forging everyone,
Ed
Welcome to the pit, its a deep hole of never ending learning. Remember, "We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy."
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
Welcome, honestly you will be happy you made the move. Everyone in this craft is about as good in heart as it gets. I wish you the best on your journey, and I hope a magic Genie appears and gives you enough money to afford the tools haha. All jokes aside this ABS forum is simply the best tool you can invest in for knowledge of experts who will give you key advice!
Respectfully
Michael
Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen. I do need that genie to help me pay for the tools and a new shop, since my wife doesn't seem to amuse with all the tools in the garage (some all around the house...), and is already asking where exactly I'll be storing all of them permanently, ha ha ha. Although, I'm lucky she seems really into it, and already started practicing with her leather stuff to build sheaths for the blades!
Also, if anyone now of any event or a good scrap yard near or around Southern Maryland and would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated!
V/R
Ed
"I do need that genie to help me pay for the tools and a new shop"
Bob Bryenton
Solar Storm Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 953-0016
Email: [email protected]
https://www.solarstorm.ca
“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" -- Arthur C. Clarke
When I first started out, I built my first forge. There wasn't the plethora of tutorials and YT videos, etc. showing how to build a propane forge that there are now. I had to work with other smiths to learn it. I used a pair of channel-lock pliers as tongs and a ball peen hammer. My anvil was a cheap POS from Harbor freight.
I joined the local blacksmith's guild and started going to their events. Someone was always selling tongs and hammers, and other related stuff for much less than the price of new tools.
Yard sales in more rural areas are also a good place to shop. A few years ago, I picked up a 150# Fisher anvil for $125 from a yard sale.
What I couldn't buy, I learned how to make.
You build your shop up slowly, the same way you eat an elephant. One bite at a time.
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
Hey I can absolutely understand that the amount of wealth in information we have access to is truly almost unlimited. With youtube, the ABS Forum, the countless online classes, ABANA information for free: etc.; if you don't believe you can find out what you need, then you are misinformed. The age of access to information is truly impressive. And also cheap entry made materials from vevor or harbor freight is very impressive. That being said I suppose where I live is different region and the price cost of better materials has gone up a lot. I think it would be undeniable that buying a new Quonset hut assembly, a newly made anvil, and even just the price of knife steel has gone up since I have been buying it in the past two years. I got started two years ago just welding and reading about knifemaking from my dads old books. Then I borrowed my dads homemade ground anvil out of four 1" plate steel welded and ground together. Then I put a couple of pieces of rebar into the coals of my double barrel wood stove and started hammering to make my first tongs: https://youtu.be/pHgPi-D-Lcw?si=w4nkKP8NkvNuTG3G. Now if I am alone in the world in believing that things are expensive, then I will accept being wrong, but I have been watching FB market place and criagslist for about 2 years now for an anvil about 170lbs (that is in working condition). I currently am saving to buy a Holland anvil and plan to pay about $2,000 to purchase and ship it here.
I guess what I am saying is that this craft has given me so much passion and inspiration that I can hardly sleep at night thinking of new ideas. That being said it has been very expensive. (If I was a accountant I would loosing my mind).
Respectfully
Michael
