Yes... blacksmithing is one those rare, rewarding crafts where you have to spend a total of about ten years making stuff to get to a point where you can just go ahead and make the stuff you wanted to make in the first place without having to make more stuff just to get started on it. :D Orrrr you could simply re-mortgage the ranch and spend thirty grand on all those tools right away. But where's the fun in that? You don't learn as much just buying everything off the shelf.
This channel continues to be a wealth of knowledge for aspiring blacksmiths, fantastic to have such an experienced person willing to share the information for free, even going the extra mile to include time stamps in the description for future reference. Thank you for continuing to do what you do.
You can never please all the people all the time, but I do enjoy your commentary while watching the process. Having the two in conjunction - explanation and example - helps some people cement the "what" with the "why" (myself included). Whatever the case, I've been a fan of your videos for years and love the work you put out - thank you, sir!
I agree. I would never want to offend John or make him feel like he made a mistake but the commentary on why he is doing these steps is so invaluable to a person like me. I’ve learned so much from these videos. If this is the way he wants to do it then I’m fine with it. John if you read this I’m here for what ever direction you go my friend. Though personally I get more from your words. Still a great video.
This video inspired me to make my own hammer! I started it roughly just after this video, and I am super close to finishing it! I took a large 1"dia. By 11" peice of rebar and upset it, forge welded some high carbon steel faces, and drilled then punched the eye! It just needs the eyes widened and have some finishing touches before hardening! 100% by hand might I add. I don't have power tools other than a grinder
You are by far one of the blacksmiths I learn the most from every video. As someone just starting out with limited access to classes, it's super appreciated
Cool format. It allows you to make an item without the audio issues from your gas forge or your power hammer and then you can go back and caption important parts and do the recap at the end.
I've made a few hatchets and altered a drill hammer into a rounding hammer. I just punched the eye of my first hammer all by hand. im watching your video for tips and inspiration, and man, did I get it. I can't wait to have it finished. I'm going to go for about the same shape it's exactly what's in my mind. Thank you for the inspiration.
I really enjoy this format. When making something I like to go back and watch again, so I like the option of watching the whole processes and/or the synopsis at the end.
This is truly awesome, informative, and beyond a wealth of knowledge. You, sir, are a man to aspire to be. I learned a lot, and I haven't started my Smith yet
I have to say. I have watched your channel for 3 years now I think. It is by far my favorite channel for many things. I love to relax after work and learn from you. I find your way of teaching to be a perfect balance of entertainment and knowledge. I hope to enjoy your channel for years to come! Cheers from Ontario! Keep up the excellent work.
Sir you are a motivational speaker and influence of people, Always love your videos and you inspire craftsmanship and super grateful for safety being taught. Thanks for the teaching Sir
Nice work John. This style video is rather pleasing. One, doing all the work in the forge then two, a nice little sit down talk from you. Well done, Sir!!!💪🏼💪🏼🔥🔥🔥👍🏻❤️🙏🏻
Cool video John. I was particularly pleased to see you pull out my favorite piece of equipment, Senior Squishy. Keep up the good work and we'll keep watching.
Loved this one! Great use of the swage block for the rounding face, I think I've only seen people grind that in, good way to keep a little extra material intact!
I love your videos, thank you John! I've got some 2" 4140 in the mail, hoping to work up to making my own rounding hammer like yours this year. Still need to make heavy tongs, and a guillotine because I can't afford a press but don't trust a spring fuller!
As always another great video. You are a very good teacher, I have learned a lot from you. This summer I had the great pleasure to instruct several young people about blacksmithing. I told them that I was mostly self taught using a lot of videos. I always recommend your videos
I watch your videos all the time, lots of information. I am amateur blacksmith and been making hairpin knifes from farrier rasps. Thank you for your work.
@@CorneliusFudgePop me too. Oddly enough, I stumbled across it looking for info on making charcoal. Now it has rekindled my interest in blacksmithing after many years of stock-removal knifemaking, and my wife is afraid I'm going to spend all our money building a forge. :D
Hey John. Great video but please also continue doing the older style where you really get into detail about each step. Those videos are one of the main reasons I actually started smithing. I just did my first ever forge welds this weekend following your video on the basket twist. After hearing you say so many times that forge welding is an essential skill for any smith I was so happy I pulled it off. The idea of trying it was very daunting to me this last year of forging but I finally gave it a shot after refreshing up on your forge weld videos. Thanks!!
Thanks John! your videos are very professional and well done. I liked the fact that you had no dialog while making this hammer and then talked about it after. I do like it when you are explaining what you are doing with other projects also. Thanks again!
Beautiful work as always, been saving watching this video till I could give it my full attention. I've learned so much as a blacksmith from you. Thank you
Wow really nice! Love your content sir, I've followed you for a number of years and I've always enjoyed watching your skills and projects every week. Thank you for all you do for us John, your an amazing teacher.
I look at something as "simple" as a hammer and think back to all those centuries when powerhammers and presses did not exist. I realize labor was cheap back then, but still... dang, that's a lot of work.
@@clinkerbreaker9332 indeed, but how common were those? I really don't know... but even in early 20th century America a lot of people were doing a good amount of smithing work by hand. Even for a bit after modern powerhammers had been invented. The point overall is that we're kind of spoiled today. Mere hobbyists being able to afford industrial-strength power tooling is very recent. And in most parts of the world, still quite rare. There may be more people making PW steel now than in any other period ever, and we don't even need it anymore. It's really just for looks nowadays...
Trip hammers have been pretty standard in most areas suitable for waterwheels since the 12th century, it was pretty much only the rural blacksmiths with relatively small shops who forged large items by hand in any period of history since then.
Absolutely beautiful work! (As always) Something about hearing you talk us through what you're doing is also satisfying. Love everything about your channel, sir!
Love to see that power hammer in action. Drifting eye was awesome. It was interesting to see complete forging process and then discussion. Hammer look cool👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥
Brilliant video thanks John I love how you've evolved your filming process, this feels like we're there watching you live like a hammer-in and I love it :) Cheers mate!
First class Blacksmithing. I will never get a power hammer or hydraulic press, Just all manual work meantime, I still have not got my shed up and running meantime, .However i did get some new video equipment and I will try and video the build of my workshop....
I count one hand too few for the fullering tool to isolate the front with no power hammer. I've got to get my 12 year old more involved. But I truly love the "making tools to make tools" part - even if unspoken.
Awesome work John. I like the new video format. I generally use my 2.5# rounding hammer the most as it's a good compromise between moving metal and wearing myself out (and keeping the tendonitis down to a minimum!).
I like the tool you made there, to protect the relief on the hammer, so simple so effective. Where you trying to achieve an hourglass eye? I noticed the way you were coming from both sides but never too aggressively. Thanks for the video!
What a fantastic how to vid. Really liked how you did a run after as well. And if you haven’t, please could you do a rundown on your grinders. Especially the giant one and the Wilton. That little thing was awesome!!!
Excellent, John! Saw the drawer handle collection in this video. The new viewers would need to do some serious research for the story/series on the handles. Have a safe week. 🐾🔥⚒🚒👨🚒
The explanation at the end clearly helpful Now if them you tube ladies that helping me make pepper jelly would do as such. Thanks again for the teaching Sir
Demo the whole thing followed by an explainer is really good format. All the questions are getting answered after forcing the viewer thought process. You may not see it that way, but you sure are a great mentor John!
Glad you liked it. The main goal is to encourage people to watch and I usually have a big drop off of viewers when I explain in more detail. This way those that just want to watch can do so then leave near the end of the video. I figure the ones that want the explanation are also the ones most likely to watch the full video anyway.
Hello John Well done a great Hammer and a tool with Charakter that Last a long time . Thank you for the Video an the Look in you working Take care have a good New week Yours Frank Galetzka
Great video and great looking hammer. I really like this style of video where you show the work then do a nice explanation at the end. Reminds me of Nils Olgren's axe videos.
Great video John. Really liked this platform. Gives people a chance to think while learning and remembering what they see you doing. The hammer turned out awesome. Thanks for sharing with with us. Fred. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻✋🏻✋🏻
I noticed the description timestamps but I think you can actually make video sections as well, I have seen some other channels do. Could be something to look into.
I have a very little experience with hammer and does holding the punch near really gets hot see that punch has a advantage but it might be a new skill handling it on plumb . But just to finish out should be helpful Thanks
It was certainly easier to concentrate on the forging and change the approach as needed without having to match the work to a narrative. I then edited the video, took notes on what I thought needed to be talked about and then recorder the discussion. Overall I think it was easier to both shoot and edit.
I think my favorite part of watching blacksmiths work is seeing them make tools in order to make tools.
Yes... blacksmithing is one those rare, rewarding crafts where you have to spend a total of about ten years making stuff to get to a point where you can just go ahead and make the stuff you wanted to make in the first place without having to make more stuff just to get started on it. :D
Orrrr you could simply re-mortgage the ranch and spend thirty grand on all those tools right away. But where's the fun in that? You don't learn as much just buying everything off the shelf.
@@dogslobbergardens6606
Truer words have seldom been spoken.
⛏⚔
@@dogslobbergardens6606 that is pretty accurate.
I get so mesmerized watching you work, that I forget to click the thumbs up .
This channel continues to be a wealth of knowledge for aspiring blacksmiths, fantastic to have such an experienced person willing to share the information for free, even going the extra mile to include time stamps in the description for future reference. Thank you for continuing to do what you do.
Glad you enjoy it!
You can never please all the people all the time, but I do enjoy your commentary while watching the process. Having the two in conjunction - explanation and example - helps some people cement the "what" with the "why" (myself included). Whatever the case, I've been a fan of your videos for years and love the work you put out - thank you, sir!
I agree. I would never want to offend John or make him feel like he made a mistake but the commentary on why he is doing these steps is so invaluable to a person like me. I’ve learned so much from these videos. If this is the way he wants to do it then I’m fine with it. John if you read this I’m here for what ever direction you go my friend. Though personally I get more from your words. Still a great video.
I second this as well
Best hammer making video I have ever seen!!! Well done Black Bear !!!
This video inspired me to make my own hammer! I started it roughly just after this video, and I am super close to finishing it! I took a large 1"dia. By 11" peice of rebar and upset it, forge welded some high carbon steel faces, and drilled then punched the eye! It just needs the eyes widened and have some finishing touches before hardening! 100% by hand might I add. I don't have power tools other than a grinder
Stopping to build the bolster was great… fun to see all the large tools getting used and all the hand work at the anvil!!
Also would like to thank you for not pinching the eye when fullering … see it way too often .. nice work nice hammer 🍻🍻
That is really easy to do
You are by far one of the blacksmiths I learn the most from every video. As someone just starting out with limited access to classes, it's super appreciated
Glad to help
that turned out beatifull John! I made one of those not too long ago, fully by hand. I am still proud of that!
You are either a lot more patient or a lot younger than I am to do all that completely by hand. Perhaps both.
The quality of your videos took a giant leap. looking good man :)
Cool format. It allows you to make an item without the audio issues from your gas forge or your power hammer and then you can go back and caption important parts and do the recap at the end.
I’ve watched this particular episode at least 5 times. Each time I learn something new!
Big Torbjorn vibes
Torbjorn is my favorite.
John, I really like this format of the video. It is almost like being in the forge with you. Thank you for a great video.
Glad you enjoyed it. Its a style I think I would like to explore in future videos
This is one of the best hammer making process videos I've seen to date without a doubt. Amazing
Thanks 👍
I've made a few hatchets and altered a drill hammer into a rounding hammer. I just punched the eye of my first hammer all by hand. im watching your video for tips and inspiration, and man, did I get it. I can't wait to have it finished. I'm going to go for about the same shape it's exactly what's in my mind. Thank you for the inspiration.
I like how you fitted the handle and wedge.
I really enjoy this format. When making something I like to go back and watch again, so I like the option of watching the whole processes and/or the synopsis at the end.
This is truly awesome, informative, and beyond a wealth of knowledge. You, sir, are a man to aspire to be. I learned a lot, and I haven't started my Smith yet
Glad it was helpful!
I have to say. I have watched your channel for 3 years now I think. It is by far my favorite channel for many things. I love to relax after work and learn from you. I find your way of teaching to be a perfect balance of entertainment and knowledge. I hope to enjoy your channel for years to come! Cheers from Ontario! Keep up the excellent work.
What a really nice hammer!! Beautiful job on the handle
This is next level production! More like this please!!!
Sir you are a motivational speaker and influence of people, Always love your videos and you inspire craftsmanship and super grateful for safety being taught.
Thanks for the teaching Sir
I've been needing a rounding hammer. I will be utilizing this information. Thanks!
Glad to help
Nice work John. This style video is rather pleasing. One, doing all the work in the forge then two, a nice little sit down talk from you.
Well done, Sir!!!💪🏼💪🏼🔥🔥🔥👍🏻❤️🙏🏻
Nice to see all the tools being used, even the LG not being left out. Thanks for sharing, hammer on.👍⚒
Nice hammer. Presented well. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.
John, you've become an artist with film and not just metal. Great cinematography!
Thanks
Cool video John. I was particularly pleased to see you pull out my favorite piece of equipment, Senior Squishy. Keep up the good work and we'll keep watching.
Loved this one! Great use of the swage block for the rounding face, I think I've only seen people grind that in, good way to keep a little extra material intact!
I love your videos, thank you John! I've got some 2" 4140 in the mail, hoping to work up to making my own rounding hammer like yours this year. Still need to make heavy tongs, and a guillotine because I can't afford a press but don't trust a spring fuller!
As always another great video. You are a very good teacher, I have learned a lot from you. This summer I had the great pleasure to instruct several young people about blacksmithing. I told them that I was mostly self taught using a lot of videos. I always recommend your videos
John you are too good at the forge. Everything looks easy when you see you doing it. 😀. Thank you for this great achievement. Kiss from France. Alain
I watch your videos all the time, lots of information. I am amateur blacksmith and been making hairpin knifes from farrier rasps. Thank you for your work.
Hi john sweet job you always knock it of the park
I always liked the straight edge you use and I just realized you made it yourself from a rafter square. Very cool
Nice hammer John , Enjoyed the power hammer work it . It's always good watching a blacksmith making his own tools . :)
You have come so far so quickly sir. You make me get even more excited to get into this trade
Nice "Gotcha!" segue at 1:20. Almost had me reaching for the Silvadene...
I love your style and you remind me so much of my dad. I’d love to put work on that hammer! What a beauty
He reminds me of my Dad too... except if it was my Dad there'd a be a *LOT* of cussing in the videos. :p
@@dogslobbergardens6606 I’m glad I found this UA-cam channel
@@CorneliusFudgePop me too. Oddly enough, I stumbled across it looking for info on making charcoal.
Now it has rekindled my interest in blacksmithing after many years of stock-removal knifemaking, and my wife is afraid I'm going to spend all our money building a forge. :D
Hey John. Great video but please also continue doing the older style where you really get into detail about each step. Those videos are one of the main reasons I actually started smithing. I just did my first ever forge welds this weekend following your video on the basket twist. After hearing you say so many times that forge welding is an essential skill for any smith I was so happy I pulled it off. The idea of trying it was very daunting to me this last year of forging but I finally gave it a shot after refreshing up on your forge weld videos. Thanks!!
Thanks John! your videos are very professional and well done. I liked the fact that you had no dialog while making this hammer and then talked about it after. I do like it when you are explaining what you are doing with other projects also. Thanks again!
Thank you very much!
I really liked the format of this video! Great job!
Glad you liked it!
Beautiful work as always, been saving watching this video till I could give it my full attention. I've learned so much as a blacksmith from you. Thank you
Awesome, thank you!
Phenomenal! Ya know a collaboration between you and will stelter and/or Alec steel would be a great thing I think!
Very nice. Love the compact shape. Well done 👍🏻
Glad you like it!
Great timing just about to make couple of hammers.
Clear and informative as always
Wow really nice! Love your content sir, I've followed you for a number of years and I've always enjoyed watching your skills and projects every week. Thank you for all you do for us John, your an amazing teacher.
I really enjoyed this John thank you for showing us how you make a rounding hammer.
Very welcome
The coal dust tip thank you its these small tips tht keep me coming back will for sure try it with the next hammer
Glad to help
Ah a nice video to relax to and enjoy on my day off, thank you!
Great job John. It is always a pleasure to see you work.
Love your work mate with regards from Australia.
Nice work John, that's a fine looking hammer!
Thanks 👍
Hello John! Perfect job as always. The hammer has the right weight and will satisfy any blacksmith. Cool! You are the best teacher.
Thanks 👍
Great video, was fun to simply watch the process and then hear the explanation at the end.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I look at something as "simple" as a hammer and think back to all those centuries when powerhammers and presses did not exist.
I realize labor was cheap back then, but still... dang, that's a lot of work.
@@clinkerbreaker9332 indeed, but how common were those? I really don't know... but even in early 20th century America a lot of people were doing a good amount of smithing work by hand. Even for a bit after modern powerhammers had been invented.
The point overall is that we're kind of spoiled today. Mere hobbyists being able to afford industrial-strength power tooling is very recent. And in most parts of the world, still quite rare.
There may be more people making PW steel now than in any other period ever, and we don't even need it anymore. It's really just for looks nowadays...
Trip hammers have been pretty standard in most areas suitable for waterwheels since the 12th century, it was pretty much only the rural blacksmiths with relatively small shops who forged large items by hand in any period of history since then.
@@garethbaus5471 yeah I phrased that very poorly. "Did not exist" is simply not accurate.
Aaawww.. I missed hearing; "Welcome back to BBB" and your naration. Now my morning coffee just doesn't taste right 🥺
I love excellent job on the hammer. Informative and entertaining.
Absolutely beautiful work! (As always) Something about hearing you talk us through what you're doing is also satisfying. Love everything about your channel, sir!
Love to see that power hammer in action. Drifting eye was awesome. It was interesting to see complete forging process and then discussion. Hammer look cool👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥
Glad you enjoyed it
Brilliant video thanks John I love how you've evolved your filming process, this feels like we're there watching you live like a hammer-in and I love it :) Cheers mate!
Glad you enjoyed it
John very nice job it turned out very well there. Hopefully you get great use out of it my friend. Forge on. Keep making. God bless.
Nice work John. I have one of those from old hickory forge and it’s a very versatile hammer in the shop.
First class Blacksmithing. I will never get a power hammer or hydraulic press, Just all manual work meantime, I still have not got my shed up and running meantime, .However i did get some new video equipment and I will try and video the build of my workshop....
Always impressive work John,you are a TRUE craftsman,and great mentor!GOD BLESS!
Awesome rounding hammer John. Thanks for the video. God Bless.
I count one hand too few for the fullering tool to isolate the front with no power hammer. I've got to get my 12 year old more involved. But I truly love the "making tools to make tools" part - even if unspoken.
Awesome work John. I like the new video format. I generally use my 2.5# rounding hammer the most as it's a good compromise between moving metal and wearing myself out (and keeping the tendonitis down to a minimum!).
I like the tool you made there, to protect the relief on the hammer, so simple so effective. Where you trying to achieve an hourglass eye? I noticed the way you were coming from both sides but never too aggressively. Thanks for the video!
Sorry I guess I should have waited till the end.
What a fantastic how to vid. Really liked how you did a run after as well. And if you haven’t, please could you do a rundown on your grinders. Especially the giant one and the Wilton. That little thing was awesome!!!
ua-cam.com/video/qIxdG6E8ouQ/v-deo.html
@@BlackBearForge thanks so much for sending me that link!!👍🏻 really enjoyed seeing what ya got.
Nice hammer, thanks John!
Excellent, John! Saw the drawer handle collection in this video. The new viewers would need to do some serious research for the story/series on the handles. Have a safe week. 🐾🔥⚒🚒👨🚒
The explanation at the end clearly helpful
Now if them you tube ladies that helping me make pepper jelly would do as such.
Thanks again for the teaching Sir
Hi John great video, can you do a video on your hydraulic press ?
Here is one I did several years ago. I should probably do an update on what I like and don't like about it. ua-cam.com/video/7lyVy7I_oGE/v-deo.html
Demo the whole thing followed by an explainer is really good format. All the questions are getting answered after forcing the viewer thought process. You may not see it that way, but you sure are a great mentor John!
Glad you liked it. The main goal is to encourage people to watch and I usually have a big drop off of viewers when I explain in more detail. This way those that just want to watch can do so then leave near the end of the video. I figure the ones that want the explanation are also the ones most likely to watch the full video anyway.
Hello John
Well done a great Hammer and a tool with Charakter that Last a long time .
Thank you for the Video an the Look in you working
Take care have a good New week
Yours Frank Galetzka
Looks great, nice job. I need to make some more hammers on my channel, haha.
Dudes got some gnarly hands and forearms lol what a beast! Been there done that in tool die work lol second ops made you strong 💪
Wow that power hammer makes short work out if it. Kinda wish you had it when we made mine :)
I guess you'll just have to come back sometime
@@BlackBearForge LOL any weekend you want :)
Very nice hammer, thank you for sharing. 👏
My biggest question in these kinds of videos is where do you get a piece of metal in that sort of shape and size to begin with?
This was some form of unknown scrap. But you can buy new 1045 or 4140 from places like McMaster Carr
Truly a joy to watch!
Really like and enjoy your work thank you
Thanks John!!’ Awesome hammer !
Nice job John.
you're a legend man
Great video and great looking hammer. I really like this style of video where you show the work then do a nice explanation at the end. Reminds me of Nils Olgren's axe videos.
He was the inspiration for tying this format. I think I'll be doing more like this in the future.
Great video John. Really liked this platform. Gives people a chance to think while learning and remembering what they see you doing. The hammer turned out awesome. Thanks for sharing with with us. Fred. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻✋🏻✋🏻
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you
Why, that's a mighty fine lookin hammer! Great video..
Nice hammer John,
A great hammer, well made
Hello John, another lovely and skillfully done project, mind offering any advice on how to do with, without a power hammer, or any good tricks?
Go back to his earlier videos, and you should find one without much power hammer usage
Mostly its just a matter of spending more time forging. But having a friend that swings a sledge hammer sure helps.
Lovely rounding hammer sir and a great video as ususal, i was wondering, your hydraulic press, is it shop made?
yes it is. It could use some refinement to make it better, but the power is there.
@@BlackBearForge Would love to see a video of that project and also learn more about how it is made.
I noticed the description timestamps but I think you can actually make video sections as well, I have seen some other channels do. Could be something to look into.
I have a very little experience with hammer and does holding the punch near really gets hot see that punch has a advantage but it might be a new skill handling it on plumb . But just to finish out should be helpful
Thanks
Great video, great piece, great discussion, and great scott! :)
Nice hammer, and nice format for the video. How was it to make this video compared to the other style?
It was certainly easier to concentrate on the forging and change the approach as needed without having to match the work to a narrative. I then edited the video, took notes on what I thought needed to be talked about and then recorder the discussion. Overall I think it was easier to both shoot and edit.
Hey John! I love your videos, I’m a new blacksmith starting out and I don’t have a lot of money for an oven can you show how to heat treat in a forge?
I have done quite a few videos on heat treating, many using just the forge for heat. Here is a play list ua-cam.com/video/gbPSYxexZYU/v-deo.html
@@BlackBearForge thank you! That’s a big help, keep up the videos!