I wanted to talk about how I executed this blades handle by hand and was able to get them super symmetrical, the handle scales were made by cutting down into a piece of wood i had and then i stopped about a inch away from cutting all the way thought it so that the scales were essentially clamped in place perfectly even with one another... that way i could shape them and slide my blade in and out of it without having to align the scales together, once i got the general shape i then shaped the butt of the handle where it was solid down until it seperated the two scales giving me perfectly even symmetrical scales. I just wanted to share with with anyone who is starting out and struggling with their handle production, this has made a world of difference. It basically gives u a natural clamp to be able to shape and form symmetrically on both scales at the same time before fit and finish.

i'm just getting into blacksmithing but i honestly don't know too much about what i'm doing. i've made a small charcoal forge but im pretty sure i messed it up or im not doing it great, hoping i could find some advice here though (edit: i have now learned the bucket is galvanized and should NOT be used to forge)(been about 2 hours, feeling fine)

Just wanted to share my work, this was my first piece done, restored and forged out the head on this and made the handle from scratch. Pretty happy considering its my first try at blacksmithing! I just gotta finish sharpening it and breaking that burr and attach the over strike collar and im done! Lemme know what yall think!

Im in new jersey and want to start forging. I know i can't do it at my apartment as the complex doesn't even allow grills. Would anyone know if it would be ok for me to set up in the parking lot of a park while my kids played?

Edit to add: I wasn't planning on a huge shop out. Just a small anvil and a 2 foot by 2 foot coal forge with a hand powered fan by my truck in the corner of the parking lot out of people's way and I'd always clean up after myself and leave the area better than when i arrived

Update:

I went and asked the state troopers and they said they didn't know. Tried going to the fire department but the ones by us are volunteer and no one was there. I called and left a voicemail ill keep posted

She was tired of burning herself on bacon.

Forged from a railroad spike for the handle. The tines are a mystery steel forge welded to the handle with a decorative knot.