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#1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:26 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
Our oldest is one of the laziest most disinterested idle minded kids I’ve ever known
Dude’s been driving me nuts for years with trying to get him to want to have some kind of hobby he works on. All the other boys have something that interests them. We forced him into MMA for a few years so that was SOMETHING and he liked it, but he would have quit out of sheer laziness if we let him. Well, COVID had his back.
So it’s been months without some kind of activity outside of games and tv. Horrible. He’s funny and comes up with jokes, character voices, thinks of funny scripts in his head, so I offered to do cool shit like use animation software (cause he can draw a little bit) we have and record different voices over the characters in joke sketches. But nope... not interested. Can’t even get him to keep a book of jokes that he works on.
Then out of nowhere he says, “So I’ve been thinking... like you say I should have something I work on... I wanna try blacksmithing and making knives. I’ve been watching this show where they compete on blacksmith projects and that’s something I see myself doing.”
Fucking awesome. Finally. Also just in time for Christmas. Wife and I put a bunch of tools and items needed for beginners on his wishlist that we share with the family. We’re getting him a small forge and a torch nozzle for propane cans.
Should be fun to help him get going on this. I know nothing but I like getting into whatever they’re getting into, so I’m sure I’ll be learning a few things about making shanks.
Watch it or we’ll cut you.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:31 pm
by clipless bumper
Good luck - torches and bored, wandering kids seem like a 'match' made in heaven
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:33 pm
by greatmutah
A friend from HS took up blacksmithing. He loves it. I think your kid will too.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:51 pm
by Tortuga
Our kids on parallel paths again - my youngest is into it, too. We got a MAP torch and made a forge using a gallon paint can and a plaster/sand mix inside to make it into an oven.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:52 pm
by Tortuga
We also made an anvil using a chunk of heavy I-beam and a large section of tree trunk.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:04 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
G-SPACE wrote:Our kids on parallel paths again - my youngest is into it, too. We got a MAP torch and made a forge using a gallon paint can and a plaster/sand mix inside to make it into an oven.
You’re a skilled tradesman. I’m gonna be the fancy yuppyesque dad stumbling through this shit.
I’ll hit you up for advice.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:06 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
clipless bumper wrote:Good luck - torches and bored, wandering kids seem like a 'match' made in heaven
You just can’t be happy for us can you? Just cause you couldn’t build the kind of father-son bond I am building doesn’t mean you have to poopoo the idea and wish bodily harm and property incineration on us.
Geez. I bet you’re the type of dude who spends years on a guitar forum where nobody has ever heard a clip of you playing....
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:12 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
greatmutah wrote:A friend from HS took up blacksmithing. He loves it. I think your kid will too.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:12 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
Ostinato Rubato wrote:clipless bumper wrote:Good luck - torches and bored, wandering kids seem like a 'match' made in heaven
You just can’t be happy for us can you? Just cause you couldn’t build the kind of father-son bond I am building doesn’t mean you have to poopoo the idea and wish bodily harm and property incineration on us.
Geez. I bet you’re the type of dude who spends years on a guitar forum where nobody has ever heard a clip of you playing....
Also WE WILL CUT YOU
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:29 pm
by Beef
That's a badass hobby, very cool.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:02 pm
by ajaxlepinski
Blacksmiths don't just make knives.... they also make boutique lighting fixtures for expensive homes.
You hammer out two of these a week and you're on the gravy train!!!
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/light ... lsrc=aw.ds
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:13 pm
by clipless bumper
Ostinato Rubato wrote:clipless bumper wrote:Good luck - torches and bored, wandering kids seem like a 'match' made in heaven
You just can’t be happy for us can you? Just cause you couldn’t build the kind of father-son bond I am building doesn’t mean you have to poopoo the idea and wish bodily harm and property incineration on us.
Geez. I bet you’re the type of dude who spends years on a guitar forum where nobody has ever heard a clip of you playing....
In case you couldn’t tell, I was being facetious and play lecture ranting back.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:18 pm
by itchyfingers
My father in law is big time into knife making, and I think his favorite show is called Forged in Fire. Anyway, he made all of us "kids" our own custom knives, I was pretty impressed when I heard about the whole process and the hours he puts into each piece. Coincidentally he is what some might call "lazy" or "disinterested". I think we all just have different things we gravitate towards. And for some of us, inactivity is our favorite activity.
Stoked to see what kinda cool stuff you and the boy come up with, Mike!
Here's my knife from my FIL, my favorite colors and fishbone rivets cause I like to fish...
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:27 pm
by clipless bumper
That is badass - you can see the quality and handcrafted aspects of it right away.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:43 pm
by RyanDistortion
Can't say I saw this coming.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:11 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
clipless bumper wrote:Ostinato Rubato wrote:clipless bumper wrote:Good luck - torches and bored, wandering kids seem like a 'match' made in heaven
You just can’t be happy for us can you? Just cause you couldn’t build the kind of father-son bond I am building doesn’t mean you have to poopoo the idea and wish bodily harm and property incineration on us.
Geez. I bet you’re the type of dude who spends years on a guitar forum where nobody has ever heard a clip of you playing....
In case you couldn’t tell, I was being facetious and play lecture ranting back.
Molten lacerations!!!
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:13 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
itchyfingers wrote:My father in law is big time into knife making, and I think his favorite show is called Forged in Fire. Anyway, he made all of us "kids" our own custom knives, I was pretty impressed when I heard about the whole process and the hours he puts into each piece. Coincidentally he is what some might call "lazy" or "disinterested". I think we all just have different things we gravitate towards. And for some of us, inactivity is our favorite activity.
Stoked to see what kinda cool stuff you and the boy come up with, Mike!
Here's my knife from my FIL, my favorite colors and fishbone rivets cause I like to fish...
That’s dope. And cool that he did that individualized.
So he’s a bum too huh?
something about them must be drawn to this kind of thing.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:15 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
I did tell them, that aside from it just being a cool hobby and PRECISELY the type of thing I’ve been pushing on him, it’s a skilled trade and the kind of thing that could get him some money. I’ll show him that pic.
I work for one of the highest of high end furniture/lighting/decor brands in custom antique reproduction in the country. I’m very familiar with what rich people will pay for fine craftsmanship.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 2:58 am
by VTM
Ostinato Rubato wrote:clipless bumper wrote:Good luck - torches and bored, wandering kids seem like a 'match' made in heaven
You just can’t be happy for us can you? Just cause you couldn’t build the kind of father-son bond I am building doesn’t mean you have to poopoo the idea and wish bodily harm and property incineration on us.
Geez. I bet you’re the type of dude who spends years on a guitar forum where nobody has ever heard a clip of you playing....
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:13 pm
by jgreenwd
A few resources for you in Christmas shopping:
Youtube channel called Green Beetle - Guy makes Damascus steel knives out of all kinds of different things (ball bearings, fish hooks, razor blades, farm implements, etc.). It's a good channel to follow to get the general gist of knifemaking.
Youtube channel called Pask Makes - Not specifically blacksmithing, but he does have a great video detailing how he built his forge from a gas bottle. Very budget friendly.
Anvils are expensive! My dad uses a piece of railroad iron in his machine shop. That can be had fairly cheaply.
He'll want a bench vise at some point (and a sturdy bench). It would probably be better AND cheaper to buy a good used one and clean it up/refurb it.
The one thing I wouldn't skimp on would be a good belt grinder.
Also, shit is LOUD! Get him using ear protection early.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 2:26 pm
by Tortuga
We had no luck turning up a piece of railroad tie... they seem to be a problem, because I don't think you can legally own one to even chop up. Heavy I beam was had for cheap and seems to be working plenty well for my son's rig.
Alec Steele is the guy my son is watching. Serious spazmoid, but is pretty good at showing that it *can* be done.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:30 pm
by lester
cool story Rubes.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:45 pm
by GuitarBilly
That's a cool hobby man. My uncle was into it and made some really cool stuff. He did make knives but he was more into making wrought iron gates, fences, furniture etc... My dad still has a lot of the pieces he made.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:37 pm
by Ostinato Rubato
Thanks guys. I’m peeping all these resources and suggestions seriously. He’s getting excited now that he can tell we’re having serious conversations about all the logistics of it. I hope it sticks, or at least sticks long enough for him to learn the feeling of pursuing something so that he can find the next thing if this doesn’t stick long term.
Re: #1 finally has a hobby interest - blacksmithing
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:55 pm
by jgreenwd
G-SPACE wrote:We had no luck turning up a piece of railroad tie... they seem to be a problem, because I don't think you can legally own one to even chop up. Heavy I beam was had for cheap and seems to be working plenty well for my son's rig.
They're legal to own. Like anything, it's how you go about getting it that comes into question (it IS illegal to dig/chop up old "retired" railroad line that's still on the ground...). We're really close to Birmingham. It's a bit of a major hub for railways and their repair facilities, I suppose because of the steel industry there. So it's not hard to find rail scrap around here (and apparently, if you're a certified welder, they're hiring all of the time for rail line repairs). At any rate, railroad track is just an i-beam with a thicker top section.