Sorry folks. As has been the case for several years, I'm not on here very often these days. But anyway, there is a guy who sells good quality blacksmithing coal about 2 or 3 hours from here. I just haven't gotten the chance to go get any. I built a coal forge but I think the chamber has too much vol...

Okay, I've been absent for a while... again... Anyway, how is this progressing for you? The forge looks great! It would work well as is with coal or coke. If you want to continue to use lump charcoal, then you may want to consider building up some walls around the firepot using firebricks or clay. T...

Thanks everyone. I had a great time at the Southeastern Spring Moot this weekend. It was fun spending my birthday with great people.

It's that time of year again. Time to raise a glass of your favorite beverage to honor the birth of one of our favorite rangers. Happy Birthday, Brother! Here's to hoping for many more!

I've seen some absolute masters with a 2X72 grinder. They do wonderful work. But there are things I need to learn first.

I found it useful to use a router to rough out the shape of the blade... that is... a narrow round point bit to cut a single line the depth of the thickest ridge of the blade, and a flat bit to rout out the profile of the blade shallowly. Then it was a flat carving tool to blend the two. I pride my...

Every time I log into this forum I am consistently amazed at the level of craftsmanship shown by our members. Excellent work, Eric, and enjoy the blade Ringulf! Fantastic work, Eric. You could ask a significant price for a piece like that...you're much better than you give yourself credit! Thank yo...

Okay, let me see if I can remember everything. This one was forged from 1/4" 1095 high carbon steel. It was heat treated and edge quenched to create the quench line as well as a differential hardening. It has a partial tang that - if I recall correctly - runs nearly completely through the handl...

Tractor Supply just opened a store in our town. I tried to order coal and have it shipped to their store so I could pick it up. Evidently there is a law or something here in NC that prohibits it. Stores in other states can get it just fine, but not here in the good Old North State. :roll: However, I...

Haha, yeah... If double-posting wasn't allowed, I'd have been banned about a hundred times over! :lol: Oh yeah, that reminds me... :P :lol: (Yeah, this is coming from the moderator who rarely comes around any more. Hoping to change that starting NOW.) I'm joking of course. But to answer the origina...

I'm super glad someone Necroed this thread! Boots have been a thing I've been thinking about, and after some research this plainsmen pattern seems to fit in pretty well from both an historical and Tolkienian Fantasy perspective. Certainly they seem to need a bit of modification, primarily that neit...

May I present to you my most recent likeness of Ringulf the Dwarven Ranger. If you can disregard the background and hight references around me it is rather convincing26229517_1955998551082923_5010168050072371895_n.jpg. I figured it was just some of your Dwarven clan. and the metal thing in the back...

Great answers and great links! As for what elvish folk influence the forging of the blade, I guess I have to understand where Angarth got some of his training/influence as a smith and decide who would have influenced Ruinferil to begin with. The influence she received on her first adventure would ha...

I PERSONALLY hated what they did with Orcrist. From a practical point of view - I don't think handling any of the replicas will teach you anything, as the official ones were all made to just to look pretty on a wall. For what it's worth a friend I knew back around '03 when the films were just out ha...

Okay, so after stalling as long as I can, this next year I am going to take the plunge into actual sword making. (No, I'm not taking orders on any at this time. :mrgreen: ) Anyway, I am planning to make blades for each of the members of my family. Each one will have its own flare and will be part of...