8 Dec 17'
"We attended the two day course.
It started with a sensible amount of health and safety, and then we were straight into forging!
We learnt how to heat metal to an appropriate temperature, and then how to use a hand hammer before moving swiftly on to using the power hammers.
Nigel demonstrated how to perform each step of the basics of forging, and then left us to get on and try ourselves. we improved rapidly, from a very unsure start to feeling more confident and actually producing some satisfying results.
Day one, we made pokers with fancy twists and decoration a shovel and a bottle opener, all forged from mild steel bar.
Day 2, Nigel asked what we would like to do, and Ben opted for making Damascus steel, which he made from scrap hack saw blades and banding, all stacked up than fire welded together. the resulting things he made from it (several spoons and a knife) are truly beautiful.
I made a steel 'Amonite' which i then forged into two white hot steel blocks, then melted it in the forge to make a steel 'Amonite Fossil'
We stayed in one of Nigel's caravans, had an open fire outside... a great couple of days.
Thanks Nigel!"