Making steel

In these videos it shows how to make and how not to make Wootz Steel. This type of steel has an interesting pattern on it that is creating when making the steel not forging as apposed to the folded steel from Japaneses swords that get their pattern through forging (working the metal).

EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.


2. a.No looks fast and sloppy. Does not provides frame work. Only allows a side to be chosen by picking the most important factor. Not Specific enough to genral
    b. Yes. Frame work narrows the question down to a very specific topic. Takes a stance by having you choose a side. Specific enough for the topic.
    c. Yes. Frame work helps ask a specific question about not just hair styles but some thing about the customer. Has you chose sides between the different hairstyles I guess. Format Makes it very specific.
    d. No. Not enough to the question for adequate frame work. The sides chosen are to general. Not very specific.


3. Revised EQ: What factor is the most important in efficiently manipulating metal into a desired shape.

Lesson 1 reflection

Q1. What are you most proud of in your lesson 1 presentation and why?

A. I am most proud of the way I drew my audience in and kept them entertained not only with my topic but with the information and interactions with them. I didn't just stand up at the front, I handed things that I made at my mentorship out and showed them what I did to make each piece. This helped involve the class and ensured that I had their full attention when I taught them about the different colors of metals in blacksmithing.

Q2. What assessment would you give yourself?

A. AE

B. I would give myself an AE for multiple reasons. First I engaged the audience not just in one instance but throughout my entire lesson. I handed out things I made while working at the forge as props. This helped give them something tangible to keep them focused on what I was teaching. Second, I used body language to make my points more appealing. But even more so I used body language to show physical techniques used in blacksmithing. Third, I sited and referenced almost all of my sources including my interviewee both in the presentation and in the lesson plan. I showed information that my sources gave me as well as things I have actually tried and been taught in the workshop. Finally, and perhaps the most important, every one learned something from my presentation. Not just for a few seconds but something that they stored away and can use in the future.

Q3. What worked for you in lesson 1?

A. My props and pictures worked the best because they showed people what I was doing rather than me telling them. By showing them they have a better idea and can learn more about blacksmithing than if I simply told them. If a picture is worth a thousand words then the actual piece is worth a million.

Q4. (What didn't work?) If you had a time machine what would you have done differently to improve your lesson?

A. I would have gotten better pictures of the different colors of metal. I had a few but nothing concrete that can stick with them. I should have brought a piece of copper that I colored though heat treating. I didn't bring it because it is the wrong type of metal for me to be working with if I am a blacksmith ( I explained the differences in my presentation). I also should have let them study the pictures a little more. If I had much more information would fit into the presentation even though the time limit was constricting.

Another Extra Blog post... Making Razors

This shows all the steps required for not only forging the metal but everything till the finished product from tempering and annealing to polishing and honing. Awesome video with plenty of information.

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1. My working EQ is :What is the most effective way to manipulate metal using a hammer and coal forge?

2. The best way to manipulate metal using a coal forge is by keeping the proper heat in the metal without which the metal becomes to hard to move.

3. The most important source i have found is my 8th : properties, identifications, and heat treatment of metals.

4. My mentor is Caroline at the Orange county heritage museum where their is a blacksmith shop so I work on making tools and materials their. 

Independent Component 1 Approval

1. I plan to create 3 products that have income potential. I will plan out how to create them, what materials are needed, and then how long it would take to make them utilizing the skills I am learning as a novice level blacksmith. I am currently working on my Level 1 certificate for which I must successfully complete the following:

Level I: Novice

This certificate will be awarded to those who have completed the Level 1, basic training or the equivalent. They will have presented to their instructor the Farm Gate Hook (see drawing below) and have passed a safety test. By doing so they have shown an understanding of the basic skills of a blacksmith, including:

• Safety
• Nomenclature of the hammer
• Hammers and types of hammer blow
• Tapers (Square octagon, round)
• Handheld punch in a round hole
• Hot cut (chisel or top tool)
• Heat treatment
• 7/8 x 1/8 slot Punch (or equivalent)
• Hammer, eye drift (½ by 7/8)
• Monkey tool (precursor to making a hammer – level 2)
• Butcher (chisel or top tool)
• Upsetting
• Round tenon
• Smoosh-a-matic
• Forge welding
• Bending over the bick or horn

Find Level I Classes »

Class Project

Farm Gate Hook: Level I project figure 1

Farm Gate Hook: Level I project figure 2

2. I will show my 30 hours of evidence by keeping a log of time spent on: showing detailed drawings of the project, lists and cost of materials, estimated and actual production steps, and finally the products themselves. Examples of projects and drawings can be found at: http://www.calsmith.org/resources/education

3. Blacksmithing is a lot more than hitting a hot piece of steel with a hammer. To create something there are a multitude of steps needed. First you must find a purpose for the piece or vice versa. Next you must find what type of metal is best suited for the purpose, a soft metal or hard for example. Then, the final step, you have to plan out how to hit the piece and how you plan on physically making the item with the hammer and other tools. I've already learned there are lots of tools. With this idea in mind I will learn all of the necessary step and how to execute them properly using the art and science of blacksmithing.

This Month

Yes, before you ask, I have made more stuff.  Lots of people ask me to make things for them as soon as they find out my topic is blacksmithing. They ask me for things ranging from knives to bracelets, but this past month I have had to put them on the back burner. I am mentoring at the Kellogg house heritage museum in Santa Ana. Instead of working on metal this week we decided to work on with wood. We decided to extend the roof out over a platform right next to the shop. This area would be covered by a ceiling but still outdoors because there will be no walls so the roof is more like an awning. On this platform we plan to build a new forge. This new forge will still be coal fead but instead of being on a raised platform it will be on a brick forge. Too make this all possible we needed to have lots of wood for the ceiling, so this past month we have painted quite a bit of wood. I will post pictures below.

PS: I have also completed my square punch and leaf key chain.