It’s always great to see a creator work through the process rather than have all the numbers up front. Whether it’s engineering, smithing, or crafting, sometimes we don’t have all the answers up front so seeing how one works out the task/problem is both enlightening and emboldening.
I certainly think one needs to be able to work to a specific set of measurements. But I much more enjoy letting the work flow just to see where it goes. Much more fun for me anyway.
Keep at it and you will create a perfect head. During the great depression, my grandfather used his father's coal forge to weld farm implements for area farmers. His tools are used on our farm today. They have held up to constant use for nearly 100 years.
Reassuring to see that even the seasoned pros struggle with their forge welds from time to time, but even better that you turned it into a teachable moment. Great stuff as always.
John, thank you for sharing your trials & tribulations as you worked through this fantasy figure head. By sharing what worked & what didn't (so far), we can learn from what you did/learned!
@@BlackBearForge I forgot to say that on your mentioning Mark Aspery made us to subscribe to him. I bought some of his books for my daughter and I. Many thanks for the heads up!
John. Very nice job. Very nicely explaining video this week John. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. God bless.
John! I've been making dogs (AKA - K9's) and love watching how you made your "kritter" Been using the bend over and weld the seem technique with good success. I need to watch your making punches videos again... Loved the eyes on your "critter avce horns" Your teachings are truly inspiring and have not missed many. In your comments I want to make sure you hear me loud and clear... THANK YOU! Your explanations of what your doing, and how your doing it, along with the with the "shoulda-coulda-woulda" helps make me think through all of the processes I want to accomplish. Kinda like playing chess, thinking through the next five moves only I'm playing against myself. 1" x 1 1/2" is a forgeload of material to move. Keep it smoking hot! And as always thank you! Forge on my friend!
Perhaps this creature is within the realm of gargoyles 🤔. Thank you so much for showing this project and I feel compelled to make a gargoyle for myself too. 😅
Definitely in the realm of a gargoyle in my minds eyes. Very nifty lil feller in the whimsical fantasy category. No offense if whimsical fantasy wasn't your goal. But alot of technique and learning by experience you shared here. Thanks so much! Blessing Sir Crawford out🙏⚒️🔥🧙🏼♂️
@@BlackBearForge just thinking. Add 2 drop horns and a bit smaller snout.... And you've got yourself a plausable Jacobs sheep! Perhaps and idea for the future! Best of luck
I watched that video years ago and always thought I'd like to try their technique. Never got around to it, so it's nice to see you giving it a go. Just another example of how much has been lost over the years on this side of the pond, imo. Watching videos from former eastern bloc nations always seems to surprise me with some new tip or technique.
I love your videos, They’ve helped me a lot and are very educational. I’ve always used a gas forge and I struggle to weld things, because of that I’ve been interested in a coal forges but I know little about them. Could you do a beginners video on coal forges?
I like the concept, but not having a power hammer, I might give it a go by upsetting the end of a bar and seeing if I can get myself enough mass. With selective cooling might be able to get metal closer to the right location as well.
Hello John This Projekt worked very Well a ramshead with Details and Charakter. Not the most bad and dangerous looking face but he had the when i got angry i am very dangerous look on his face . Thank you for sharing your skills Have a good New week Best wishes Yours Frank Galetzka
It's an interesting piece John. I'd love to give one a shot but I'm unfortunately out of fuel. I use charcoal and it's gotten too hot and dry to make any. Just getting started and money is not a thing I have much of. Guess it will have to wait til it rains a day or two. Still thanks for the videos, I really appreciate being able to watch the steps and learn some new things while I wait on weather.
@@BlackBearForge Yep, that's why I'm shut down for the time being. I did find a place where I can buy bituminous coal, 50 pound bag for $65. Is that a fair price.
Just an idea for you,where I live in Australia I can go out and collect charcoal from the bush where there has been a fire go through, just put down a plastic sheet and knock it off with a hatchet then put it through a half inch screen. I have been doing this for years and it works well. Takes no longer than it would to collect the wood which you still have to burn to make charcoal.and summer is the best time to do it. Cheers Dave
I'm not sure what you're actually asking, a hammer is a hammer. Perhaps you're seeing something in this video you didn't understand and should perhaps be asking a different question.
@@BlackBearForge when you use one hammer to strike another one, like using it instead of a drift, i ask this because its not good to hit to regular hardened hammers against each other? i thought one, the striking hammer was a softer steel, also how about doing a monthly figure head, like you did with the hook of the week, you must have a big ol pile in the scrap bucket again
The tool being struck should always have a softer head that way you don't have the risk of flying metal. Fullers, punches and drifts are only hardened on the working end not the struck end .
I re read your comment and will point out that John was hitting a fuller to shape the snout not another hammer. Similar looking tool but different use, always struck never swung and has a soft end.
Rofl it was meant to b a rabbit jk.my first chainsaw carving of a bear when I was 13 was the best pig I have ever carved .one look of the nose and it was clearly a pig so it got finished as one. My mentor was confused about the well crafted pig 🐖 he stated that is sometimes how it works then showed me his pile of artistic firewood
@@BlackBearForge Thanks i will go look again , but i think you have to pay for lot of his content ? he is undoubtedly good i just wish he was more accessible
The bulls got a very cool expression Thanks for the video
It’s always great to see a creator work through the process rather than have all the numbers up front. Whether it’s engineering, smithing, or crafting, sometimes we don’t have all the answers up front so seeing how one works out the task/problem is both enlightening and emboldening.
I certainly think one needs to be able to work to a specific set of measurements. But I much more enjoy letting the work flow just to see where it goes. Much more fun for me anyway.
There’s a fine art to eyeballing it.
@@BlackBearForge Same here John, Improvisation needs creativity while build to print needs rigor. Blackmithing demands both. Thank you for the lesson
Keep at it and you will create a perfect head. During the great depression, my grandfather used his father's coal forge to weld farm implements for area farmers. His tools are used on our farm today. They have held up to constant use for nearly 100 years.
You're video's have become like blacksmith crack. I'm addicted.
Reassuring to see that even the seasoned pros struggle with their forge welds from time to time, but even better that you turned it into a teachable moment. Great stuff as always.
John, thank you for sharing your trials & tribulations as you worked through this fantasy figure head. By sharing what worked & what didn't (so far), we can learn from what you did/learned!
Hard to believe that was made from a block of metal, you have a creative talent for sure.....
This was a really cool and creative video!
Now that looks a super fun experiment. My daughter is most enthusiastic,. Thanks John! -Wendi
Have fun!
@@BlackBearForge I forgot to say that on your mentioning Mark Aspery made us to subscribe to him. I bought some of his books for my daughter and I. Many thanks for the heads up!
Very creative !
Thank you! 😊
Beautiful
Thanks for sharing with us John. Good job on the forging and fine tuning the animal head. Stay safe and keep up the good work. Fred.
Thanks for the video. It is amazing what can be made with some steel, a hammer and heat.
A devil of a job John.
John, that anvil is sounding fantastic. Loved the video.
Thanks John....as always well done!
Very cool head! Looking forward for the next one!
You are a great black smith jhon You did a great job on making that that would look pretty neat on a gate what a great idea
Wonderful video and project. Thank you for all of your efforts and hard work.👏👏👏
That haunts my dreams, excellent video!
John. Very nice job. Very nicely explaining video this week John. Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. God bless.
Thanks 👍
Ben watching a bunch of Mark's videos as well lately. Great video John keep up the good work
I always enjoy your videos! Thanks for sharing & inspiring us. It looked to me like you had enough drawn out at first for a set of deer antlers.
I like the concept, it turned out really cool!
Looks great and your videos are inspiring. Thanks from Scotland.
Glad you like them!
That was a great video.
I wish I had a fraction of your talent and creativity
Army
Just want to thank you for all of the shared knowledge and time you put into each one of your videos. Great job 👍
I appreciate that!
John! I've been making dogs (AKA - K9's) and love watching how you made your "kritter"
Been using the bend over and weld the seem technique with good success. I need to watch your making punches videos again... Loved the eyes on your "critter avce horns"
Your teachings are truly inspiring and have not missed many. In your comments I want to make sure you hear me loud and clear... THANK YOU! Your explanations of what your doing, and how your doing it, along with the with the "shoulda-coulda-woulda" helps make me think through all of the processes I want to accomplish. Kinda like playing chess, thinking through the next five moves only I'm playing against myself.
1" x 1 1/2" is a forgeload of material to move. Keep it smoking hot! And as always thank you!
Forge on my friend!
Another excellent video. I like to watch these after church most Sunday’s.
Also happy 4th of July to you and the Mrs.
Perhaps this creature is within the realm of gargoyles 🤔. Thank you so much for showing this project and I feel compelled to make a gargoyle for myself too. 😅
Great Lesson John. Thanks
UA-cam that keeps going even with a yellow jacket buzzing his head shows you his dedication. :-O
very cool great video i really like the way you talk noobs like me through what you are doing and why thank you
Glad you enjoyed!
Another awesome video! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Definitely in the realm of a gargoyle in my minds eyes. Very nifty lil feller in the whimsical fantasy category. No offense if whimsical fantasy wasn't your goal.
But alot of technique and learning by experience you shared here. Thanks so much!
Blessing Sir
Crawford out🙏⚒️🔥🧙🏼♂️
Fantasy is definitely the goal
@@BlackBearForge just thinking. Add 2 drop horns and a bit smaller snout.... And you've got yourself a plausable Jacobs sheep!
Perhaps and idea for the future! Best of luck
I kept seeing a Doberman while you were under the little giant hammer.
Thanks for the idea. Haven't tried a head yet (mainly because of the forge welding) so this might be another direction to try..
There are many possibilities without the need to forge weld. I'll try to look at more options in future videos.
Wow I like it
I watched that video years ago and always thought I'd like to try their technique. Never got around to it, so it's nice to see you giving it a go. Just another example of how much has been lost over the years on this side of the pond, imo. Watching videos from former eastern bloc nations always seems to surprise me with some new tip or technique.
I love your videos, They’ve helped me a lot and are very educational. I’ve always used a gas forge and I struggle to weld things, because of that I’ve been interested in a coal forges but I know little about them. Could you do a beginners video on coal forges?
Great video, I’ve always wanted to try something like this. You may have just given me the inspiration to give it a shot. 😉
Very cool
I like the concept, but not having a power hammer, I might give it a go by upsetting the end of a bar and seeing if I can get myself enough mass. With selective cooling might be able to get metal closer to the right location as well.
Your work is cool, but that anvil is awesome.
Thanks 👍
Hello John
This Projekt worked very Well a ramshead with Details and Charakter.
Not the most bad and dangerous looking face but he had the when i got angry i am very dangerous look on his face .
Thank you for sharing your skills
Have a good New week
Best wishes
Yours Frank Galetzka
Awesome..
It's an interesting piece John. I'd love to give one a shot but I'm unfortunately out of fuel. I use charcoal and it's gotten too hot and dry to make any. Just getting started and money is not a thing I have much of. Guess it will have to wait til it rains a day or two. Still thanks for the videos, I really appreciate being able to watch the steps and learn some new things while I wait on weather.
The dry weather is why I don't make more charcoal. It's too bad its so expensive to buy charcoal
@@BlackBearForge Yep, that's why I'm shut down for the time being. I did find a place where I can buy bituminous coal, 50 pound bag for $65. Is that a fair price.
Just an idea for you,where I live in Australia I can go out and collect charcoal from the bush where there has been a fire go through, just put down a plastic sheet and knock it off with a hatchet then put it through a half inch screen. I have been doing this for years and it works well. Takes no longer than it would to collect the wood which you still have to burn to make charcoal.and summer is the best time to do it. Cheers Dave
Ive heard that the issue with gas forge welding is that when propane combusts it creates co2 and water, whereas coke/charcoal only create co2.
That sounds like a good theory.
I was thinking a donkey not a rabbit when he mentioned it
Would like to see a donkey/mule crafted. Very similar.
Looks like a Minotaur head
Has the cat peaking its head through the window always been there?
Not always, but for a few months now
I'd have those hors be mor like a California ram where they are sweeping back around the ears. you also forgot the ears.
I thought it was going to be a duck at first.
I had a uncle who had a ball nose it was bulbis and red
Aloha John🤙🏽⚒️QUICK question: Are you running your Chili at full Psi when forge welding? My apologies if you’ve answered this already.
I run it at 21 PSI which is the maximum recommended by the maker
@@BlackBearForge mahalo John!
I missed it....and cant make out what he said.....what does he add to make the weld????? thanks guys!!!
That would be flux. Its used to help keep the material clean in the fire.
whats the correct name for a striking hammer when you are using it to hit another full hard hammer?
I'm not sure what you're actually asking, a hammer is a hammer. Perhaps you're seeing something in this video you didn't understand and should perhaps be asking a different question.
@@BlackBearForge when you use one hammer to strike another one, like using it instead of a drift, i ask this because its not good to hit to regular hardened hammers against each other?
i thought one, the striking hammer was a softer steel,
also how about doing a monthly figure head, like you did with the hook of the week, you must have a big ol pile in the scrap bucket again
The tool being struck should always have a softer head that way you don't have the risk of flying metal. Fullers, punches and drifts are only hardened on the working end not the struck end .
I re read your comment and will point out that John was hitting a fuller to shape the snout not another hammer. Similar looking tool but different use, always struck never swung and has a soft end.
@@davidbutler3661 thanks David
Rofl it was meant to b a rabbit jk.my first chainsaw carving of a bear when I was 13 was the best pig I have ever carved .one look of the nose and it was clearly a pig so it got finished as one. My mentor was confused about the well crafted pig 🐖 he stated that is sometimes how it works then showed me his pile of artistic firewood
17:17 What the hell is even that ?
Define "" a lot of videos by mark aspray"" hes only got about 6 and they are all 10 years old lol , that guy just wont share !!!
Probably a few dozen. While Mark isn't a serious UA-cam creator he does have 121 videos listed with the most recent in the last 2 weeks.
@@BlackBearForge Thanks i will go look again , but i think you have to pay for lot of his content ? he is undoubtedly good i just wish he was more accessible
He’s also got a long demo video on the Rocky Mountain smiths channel
Mark has a lot of videos posted to ABANA's UA-cam channel and there are some on the CBA UA-cam channel as well. All free for the watching