Blacksmithing

The following pictures show some of the tools I use, have made, or plan to make through blacksmithing.

This is a leaf spring from a truck. The steel used for these things is very good for making tools and blades, mostly because of its ideal carbon content.

This is an antique forge blower I restored. The purpose of this blower is to supply air to the fire, making it hotter. I chose a hand-crank blower over a modern electric one because it is easier to contol air flow, and it conserves fuel.

This is the forge. 

This is clinker, a glass-like material that forms in the forge after continued use. It is a result of impurities in the fuel.

My hammer and my anvil. The anvil, although small and made of low quality cast iron rather than steel, serves my purposes well. 

A step by step walk-through of the starting of the forge.

 Me, working at the forge.

A piece of glowing hot steel.

A twist pattern, created by heating the metal to red hot, clamping it in a vice, and using a wrench to twist.

A fire-poker I made.

Some more shots of smithing. The middle picture in the left column shows some of the other objects I've made, including a few chisels, a semi-complete pair of tons, and a semi-complete knife blade.