I commonly use two different kinds of forges, a gas forge or a coal forge.  The coal forge has a particular kind of relationship.  With some simple newspaper and air I can get this tool ready in 10 minutes.  During that time I am watching the smoke, the slight hint of flame coming up and most of the all the noise.  There is a certain change when the air is going through it.  This same sensation happens when steel is in the fire.  There is a small heat range that is ideal for forge welding, and at times I swear I can hear when the heat is there.  But that is a whole different topic.

There are some important things going on in the coal forge when using it.  Unfortunately I can not just throw steel in there and wait, as one does with a the gas forges.  First off I use coal.  Coal needs to “cook” and transform into “coke.”  The coke is the fuel in the fire.  It is what makes the forge able to do what it does best, burn.  A product of the process as well is klinker.  It gathers at the bottom and can really create a messy fire if not taken care of.  Klinker also with make a dirty fire and can add to the difficulty of forge welding. On three sides I have coal cooking into coke. The coke burning and in the center there is a void of intense, controlled heat in which I lay the iron.  I typically keep some kind of opening so I can see in there.  Every time I pull the iron out I destroy the fire a little at a time, which in turn has me gather it up getting it ready for the next heat.  Defiantly a relationship between the smith and the fire.  Not to sound to corny but a relationship of creation, life and death of that tool.

The last part is calming the fire down and letting it cook, in that, the next fire you can use some coke to help restart it.  Depending on the quality of coal and circumstances of where you are will vary on how you do this part.  The coal I use has a lot of fly ash.  I typically open it up and let it cool off and gather the coke afterwords.  I have seen some place a piece of wood in their fire in hopes to restart it again later, others completely throw everything away and start clean.

So if you happen to ever watch a smith at the forge, watch how he uses the forge.  It is a tool and its silence can speak volumes.

-Rory

for cabinets, dressers and other things that need a handle

A recent order came through where someone had purchased an aspen leaf key chain that  I forged and requested if I could forge some aspen leaf hardware.  Well of course!  I made 6 doubles and 6 Single hardware pulls.  The singles stand out 3/4″ from the door.  All have a 1/4-20 bolt.  These particular ones are 1″ 1/4″ long for the dresser its going to.  All have a clear lacquer finish and are $25 / each.

Singles:  $25.00/each + shipping and handling  

Doubles: $25.00/each + shipping and handling 

(put how many in the shopping cart and the price will update)

*they need so be a certain length or you have questions contact me or leave a comment.

A dish made out of reclaimed chain found in the scrap yard riveted together with some pieces of wrought iron from a wagon wheel.

A great center piece for a table. This has a clear lacquer finish as well.

 13″ wide          3″ tall          5 1/2″ wide            7lbs

$75.00 + shipping and handling

Tobbe and Tone, two blacksmiths from Oslo are building a sculpture of forged roses made by smiths from all over the world, a project called “Iron Rose For Norway.” To honor the victims of the unimaginable violence in Oslo July 22, 2011 and to let the love grow from hammers and fire.  With Colorado having 2 school shootings in the past Rocky Mountain Smiths hosted a workshop at Dragon Forge LTD to make iron roses to send to Norway.  We forged 12 roses that day.  Also had a local crew, The Sharpened Axe, ask to come out of film some of the event.  Below are links to the video and pictures that I took during our day.

Iron Rose for Norway

Watch this video on YouTube.

The Sharpened Axe

Watch this video on YouTube.

This is a custom order for a coffee table forged out of iron.  The client was directly involved with the design.  We focused on a simplistic design revolving around the forged arch detail complemented with an art deco feel.  This has a black and lacquer finish that is a great focal point for any room in sits in.

Below are some pictures of the progress. I draw the table to scale and get approval before I do any forging.  Then I print it to 100% scale and work from there.  Each piece is hand forged from standard square and flat stock.

 This coffee table is 24″ wide x 44″ long and 16″ tall. Bad boy weighs at 67 lbs

Thanks!

-Rory   (a Colorado blacksmith)

-Rory

Colorado Blacksmith

Available Knives for sale: http://isolatedreality.com/2010/12/07/rail-road-spike-knives-2/

Your local smith,

-Rory

Custom orders are always welcome.  Recently did an order for some aspen leafs on a forged ring.  These ring are about 4″ wide and quite attractive.  These aspen leaves are forged one at a time and treated on an individual level and made out of steel, bronze, and copper.  These leave are not cut out, but rather forged out of square material by hand.  Interested in something hand forged?  Let me know.  Always open for discussion and work with in a budget.

-Rory

Colorado Blacksmith