I'm really grateful for your precise, clear, articulate teaching style. Many know their subject and can "do" , but not teach. I really appreciate the instruction in step by step format, without repeating the same things over and over, or saying "um" every three words. You make it clearly understandable, it all relates, and it's not condescending or shouting or filled with ego. How refreshing! Your video has helped me incredibly. Thank you so much!
I just found your channel, I am a fairly new blacksmith, just over 200 hours. I learned this techniques the hard way.. But this information just helped refine my skills! Looking forward to more videos. Thank you for your knowledge!!
I have watched countless videos for years and you just explained and demonstrated the most educational blacksmithing techniques i have been searching for! Very well done sir! Glad i found your channel and look forward to watching all of yor videos!
I've just started forging and welding as a part of a basic metalworking class. From my limited experience I've got to say your hammer strikes are incredibly precise and I can only hope to reach that level of control.
Thanks Dennis. You are like having a shop teacher here at home. I am still in the information gathering stage, but hope to be putting together all the elements together soon to start blacksmithing as a hobby. I live in the Bahamas and there are no local resources to draw from. Your videos are great in the way you not only show what you're doing, but also the how and why.
a very nicely done video, with excellent voice, and none of that do-irritating music; indeed, the sound of forging is its own music! I took a blackmithinh course in Sweden (Gränsfors Bruk, the well-known axe makers), 2x4-day sessions, and learned a lot, even made some "keepers", and you have done a great job of compressing the core techniques into a clear and amazingly-short video.
Thank you for the time you take speaking to the theory of what you doing, for me, that is an immense help. I like to know the 'why', as that sticks for me. Thank you again!
You make this look so easy. I have never tried hammering metal (plan to very soon -- just got my first forge), and I imagine I will appreciate this even more once I do, but even with no experience it's amazing what you do with that hammer. It's almost magical watching a carefully curved and shaped piece appear.
....thank YOU sooooo much for all this very interessting instructions !! YOU are such e friendli instructor !!! Kinde regards from a totali befinner !!!
This is an AMAZING tutorial for beginning smiths and even experienced smiths, because it can help us to better articulate the ideas to apprentices. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much. Im 13 and im trying to start up blacksmithing as a hobby and maybe one day nake a bit of money off of it. This video is really helping me in the learning stage.
Your video is great, I'm learning so many activities since this lockdown, one month and I got to play piano and guitar and now blacksmith but I don't have the tools though......
HI Dennis, another very informative video. One thing you might want to clarify is that although you clearly show it in the video, you should also emphasize in the voiceover that forging a point is done at the far edge of the anvil, not in the middle. This is a pretty common mistake that beginners make and probably accounts as many divots in the anvil surface as misses do. You might also want to discuss the shape of the cross pein because, as you know, most commercially made hammers have too narrow and too rounded of a pein. It is also worth mentioning that drawing out can also be done using just the edge of the anvil and the face of the hammer, assuming a proper radius on the edge. That is the way I usually do it.
Thanks Scott. I know I made it sound like I wasn't going any further with this subject ( so I really appreciate your concern) but that isn't the case. This video was just meant to quickly explain the techniques that I use in my videos and the way the hammer and anvil work together. That way people will hopefully be able to better understand the process as there watching me work. I will be expanding and reinforcing this information in latter project videos because I feel it is very important but I just wanted something to act as a foundation that can be referred back to. I think I covered the cross peen shape in the hammer reshaping video - did I not? As for hammering over the edge to draw out - I don't like doing that because it is real easy to loose track of what you are doing and forge too thin. You can see when I created the offset that I was checking the depth with every hammer blow to make sure I wasn't going too far. Good to hear from you again
Always a pleasure to see someone battling (peacefully) against the plethora of bad blacksmithing information on youtube, Dennis. Even thought I am probably more advanced than many of those watching your videos (I've been a hobbiest for 25 years) I still watch pretty much every one of your videos because I still pick up info that I had not been exposed to before. Keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot it helped me a lot getting started. Also great job on the sound, it's not like a lot of smithing vidéo where you can barely hear the guy talking because of the hammering and the fan of the forge.
On my channel I just did a sponsored product review on a forge and attempted to forge a part…NO EXPERIENCE…sure wish I had seen this video….just subscribed
For using the Cross-Peening method of hammering, that is using the backside of the mallet to make the metal wider instead of longer, what would I use if I had to use like say, a regular hammer to metalwork with? Is there any substitute that can be used to do this?
I like the way you teach. I noticed that when you hammer you seem to stroke the metal in the direction you want it to go with the hammer. like steering the metal. you didn't mention that you were do it on each blow of the hammer, your arm stroke are in a rotation action. you can really see it on the sped up sections.
Actually that's just an optical illusion. I always hammer directly into the metal. Sometime the rebound and or gravity makes it look like the hammer is glancing off the metal but the hammer blows are always aimed right at where I'm hitting ( or close to it - LOL ).
You don't need a lot to get started and usually the space you will be using will dictate how you can set up. For example, you may need to get a gas forge because setting up a coal forge isn't possible. My first forge was a propane torch aimed inside a short section of 2" pipe. I was using vise grips for tongs and a ball peen hammer. My anvil was an old sledge hammer head that was held in the jaws of a machinist vise. Everything you make or find after that just makes your life easier.
Thank you, this is the best instructional video on Blacksmithing I have seen.
I wholeheartily agree!
I'm really grateful for your precise, clear, articulate teaching style. Many know their subject and can "do" , but not teach. I really appreciate the instruction in step by step format, without repeating the same things over and over, or saying "um" every three words. You make it clearly understandable, it all relates, and it's not condescending or shouting or filled with ego. How refreshing! Your video has helped me incredibly. Thank you so much!
This video taught me more than 4 years of books, self training etc. In just 30 minutes
Years ago I took a blacksmithing class. The master Smith told us all that blacksmithing isn't about raw strength, it's about controlling yourself.
I just found your channel, I am a fairly new blacksmith, just over 200 hours. I learned this techniques the hard way.. But this information just helped refine my skills! Looking forward to more videos. Thank you for your knowledge!!
This is the most informative video I have ever watched!!!! Great Job
I have watched countless videos for years and you just explained and demonstrated the most educational blacksmithing techniques i have been searching for! Very well done sir! Glad i found your channel and look forward to watching all of yor videos!
I've just started forging and welding as a part of a basic metalworking class. From my limited experience I've got to say your hammer strikes are incredibly precise and I can only hope to reach that level of control.
Thanks Dennis. You are like having a shop teacher here at home. I am still in the information gathering stage, but hope to be putting together all the elements together soon to start blacksmithing as a hobby. I live in the Bahamas and there are no local resources to draw from. Your videos are great in the way you not only show what you're doing, but also the how and why.
Thanks for making this so much easier to understand than the books I've been studying. So much clearer!
best video that I have seen for a beginner blacksmith such as me...63 years young... you explain things very well... thanks so much... Gary
Simple, clear and to the point, thank you for sharing your skills !
a very nicely done video, with excellent voice, and none of that do-irritating music; indeed, the sound of forging is its own music!
I took a blackmithinh course in Sweden (Gränsfors Bruk, the well-known axe makers), 2x4-day sessions, and learned a lot, even made some "keepers", and you have done a great job of compressing the core techniques into a clear and amazingly-short video.
Thanks for uploading this and sharing your knowledge with us for free. You're a good fella.
Thank you for the time you take speaking to the theory of what you doing, for me, that is an immense help. I like to know the 'why', as that sticks for me. Thank you again!
This is fantastic. I'm learning right now and hope to get into this as a hobby this autumn (2020). Thanks.
Great video Sir, i hope to start sponsoring you here shortly. Thx
love the closeup it really helps clarify a lot of things
Some of the best if not the very best instruction I've found on youtube right here. Thanks Dennis.
Best blacksmithing videos on UA-cam! Thank you, sir, for your contributions! Forrest
You make this look so easy. I have never tried hammering metal (plan to very soon -- just got my first forge), and I imagine I will appreciate this even more once I do, but even with no experience it's amazing what you do with that hammer. It's almost magical watching a carefully curved and shaped piece appear.
He explains it great. His lessons are easy to follow and the results are remarkable. Thank you Dennis
Thank you. This was really helpful info
Great videos, they take it slow enough to keep up but fast enough to keep it interesting. I wish I could support, love the work
Thanks so much for all these tips.
thank you for taking the time to help others. I am just learning the basics , this showed me my mistakes. Keep them coming Dennis.
Nicely done, you make it look so easy and effortless. I’m working towards that goal. Thanks for your videos.
....thank YOU sooooo much for all this very interessting instructions !! YOU are such e friendli instructor !!! Kinde regards from a totali befinner !!!
Ya, I am interested in learning blacksmithing, this is the best info I have seen. Thanks
This is an AMAZING tutorial for beginning smiths and even experienced smiths, because it can help us to better articulate the ideas to apprentices. Thank you so much!
This channel is wonderful I’ve been wanting to learn how to blacksmith, you give out the most precise information thank you.
im gonna head out to the anvil and try this stuff tomorrow..pretty excited
I learned a lot thank you
This answered so many questions
Wow, I have just learnt so much in 13 minutes! Thank you!
Excellent instruction. Thank you.
Thank you so much. Im 13 and im trying to start up blacksmithing as a hobby and maybe one day nake a bit of money off of it. This video is really helping me in the learning stage.
You make it look easy.
This is fantastic.
Awsome video very informative and easy to understand.
Quite informative really enjoy your videos
Thank you very much I want to start the forge this summer it will serve me
So much knowledge in a short video. Fantastic work.
This is very detailed and clear. The explanations are helping me a lot as I get started in this art. Thank you!
Excellent video and detailed descriptions! Thank you!
Fantastically helpful and well-presented! Thank you so much!
Excellent instructions
Better than the intro of my own college class. Thanks DF
Fantastic, simple explanations. Thank you for your time and contributions.
Thanks Dennis, well explained.
Fantastic video. This is exactly what I was looking for and I happened to find it on the first try.
A lot of info fast. Thanks.
Awesome video
Thanks for the video. Watching it showed me where I was making an amateur mistake yesterday.
Thanks Dennis, invaluable information!
Thanks for this, been interested in starting blacksmithing and this has given me a good insight into the techniques
Nice video, you always do a wonderful job explaining the process's of forging. Good luck with the full time working shift (change).
Thank you very much. So comprehensive. I am gonna make tens of those loops just because it is soooooo fun!!!
Great video Dennis, love your work and skills and instruction, thanks for helping us all.
awesome. i hope to start forging soon.
You make this look so stinkin easy 🤣. This took me three tries before I even got it 🤣. I figured it out. Slowly. Haha
You're doing good - took me a lot longer than that when I got started.
Excellent ! I enjoy a lot your videos. I always wanted to blacksmithing, thanks for all the great info you provide!
Thank you for you videos. I'm am learning by leaps and bounds.
Your video is great, I'm learning so many activities since this lockdown, one month and I got to play piano and guitar and now blacksmith but I don't have the tools though......
HI Dennis, another very informative video. One thing you might want to clarify is that although you clearly show it in the video, you should also emphasize in the voiceover that forging a point is done at the far edge of the anvil, not in the middle. This is a pretty common mistake that beginners make and probably accounts as many divots in the anvil surface as misses do. You might also want to discuss the shape of the cross pein because, as you know, most commercially made hammers have too narrow and too rounded of a pein. It is also worth mentioning that drawing out can also be done using just the edge of the anvil and the face of the hammer, assuming a proper radius on the edge. That is the way I usually do it.
Thanks Scott. I know I made it sound like I wasn't going any further with this subject ( so I really appreciate your concern) but that isn't the case. This video was just meant to quickly explain the techniques that I use in my videos and the way the hammer and anvil work together. That way people will hopefully be able to better understand the process as there watching me work. I will be expanding and reinforcing this information in latter project videos because I feel it is very important but I just wanted something to act as a foundation that can be referred back to. I think I covered the cross peen shape in the hammer reshaping video - did I not? As for hammering over the edge to draw out - I don't like doing that because it is real easy to loose track of what you are doing and forge too thin. You can see when I created the offset that I was checking the depth with every hammer blow to make sure I wasn't going too far. Good to hear from you again
Always a pleasure to see someone battling (peacefully) against the plethora of bad blacksmithing information on youtube, Dennis. Even thought I am probably more advanced than many of those watching your videos (I've been a hobbiest for 25 years) I still watch pretty much every one of your videos because I still pick up info that I had not been exposed to before. Keep up the good work.
Many thanks for really good explanation. Love this channel
nice video, im going to begin to blacksmithing door handles, very helpful thank you so much, greetings from Peru
You are a master
Thanks for teaching Sir
But i got the information i desperately needed. So i thank you good Sir
Simple explinations with great camera angles.. Loved the video dude, keep em coming ^_^
Another excellent video. thanks.
Great video and explaination.
Thanks, very helpful.
Awesome! Thanks Dennis
Thank you for all the information. If you were to make a mandrill similar to the one you showed in this video how would you go about doing it?
great video!
Really enjoy watching your videos. Signed up as patron today
This was perfect!
Thanks a lot it helped me a lot getting started. Also great job on the sound, it's not like a lot of smithing vidéo where you can barely hear the guy talking because of the hammering and the fan of the forge.
You should upload a video of your forge.
thank you very much for your videos! It is great.
On my channel I just did a sponsored product review on a forge and attempted to forge a part…NO EXPERIENCE…sure wish I had seen this video….just subscribed
Fantastic!!
Thank you for the lesson, I will surely be referring back to this.
genius, thanks man. ive just subscribed
Great video! Thank you so much for the I depth description, it has been a big help! Keep up the good work!
Thank-you for sharing this information.
Awesome man, really enjoyed the teaching, just getting into the info stages. Your the man.
Can you do a video on all the different hammer patterns?
Thank you!!
For using the Cross-Peening method of hammering, that is using the backside of the mallet to make the metal wider instead of longer, what would I use if I had to use like say, a regular hammer to metalwork with? Is there any substitute that can be used to do this?
Great video, thanks, Dennis :)
very discriptive once again you have taught me alot over the time cheers from aus
great vid as usual Dman
Thanking you again Sir;
This video was awesome!!!!
Denis loving it !
Thanks
Are you Ron Swanson from parks and rec the show sound exactly like him very informative thank you
I like the way you teach. I noticed that when you hammer you seem to stroke the metal in the direction you want it to go with the hammer. like steering the metal. you didn't mention that you were do it on each blow of the hammer, your arm stroke are in a rotation action. you can really see it on the sped up sections.
Actually that's just an optical illusion. I always hammer directly into the metal. Sometime the rebound and or gravity makes it look like the hammer is glancing off the metal but the hammer blows are always aimed right at where I'm hitting ( or close to it - LOL ).
Is there a general list of equipment you will need? I would greatly appreciate one.
You don't need a lot to get started and usually the space you will be using will dictate how you can set up. For example, you may need to get a gas forge because setting up a coal forge isn't possible. My first forge was a propane torch aimed inside a short section of 2" pipe. I was using vise grips for tongs and a ball peen hammer. My anvil was an old sledge hammer head that was held in the jaws of a machinist vise. Everything you make or find after that just makes your life easier.
Thank you! That helped greatly.