It's funny to go back and rewatch these older videos and notice differences, like how much your anvil rang back then.

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

Things to evolve over time. Hopefully the videos will continue to improve.

@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740

4 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge , I'm coming to you form the future. Rest assured that your quality of production and filming are most certainly continuing to improve. Perhaps at a rate no other you tube Smith can match. Joey van der Steeg comes close as does Torbjourne Ahman. But your cutting edge in the filming department. Not going to make claims as to the best Smith, I find that rude. Your quality of workmanship is top tier. Your teaching skills are top tier. Your presentation is as well top tier. Your rapidly approaching 94,000 subs. Now you know too much...I've corrupt your time line. This comment is scheduled to self distruct upon your reading it. Blessings abundant sirSir Crawford out. P.S. yup same old fart that haunts your comments, just different phone. So now there's 2 of me to give you subs and likes and silly headed comments!

@caleblandry1780

3 ай бұрын

@@BlackBearForgethey have i have been binge watching all of them you definitely got a thing for making videos got some amazing scenes of the forge and different things

it's kinda funny how i watched videos 2 years ago and didn't pay much attention because i was not progressed far enough to put the information into my work. now i go back and watch videos previously viewed with, now, a new perspective or degree of appreciation.

@BlackBearForge

3 жыл бұрын

Thats one of the great things about KZread. You can always go back to revisit the early material.

Preach safety all you want. It helps remind us of things that can go wrong.

@AnyMotoUSA

3 ай бұрын

I was forging a flat stock blank in my shop a couple weeks ago, my friend was over. I stopped what I was doing and said I'd better put some safety glasses on and I shit you not the next blow launched the blank right into my glasses. I would've been burned at the very least, and my friend learned a very valuable lesson (so I gota good reminder too!)

@caleblandry1780

3 ай бұрын

Yes was just about to say this the other day I was twisting wrought for a ring and hand slipped burnt clean through my heatproof cloves and deep into my thumb now I rush around the shop less if something ain’t gonna work it ain’t gonna work ain’t worth the days off the forge

I enjoy each of your classes. The safety ones are a must for any new to the art.

I built a coal burning forge, I've just finished building an 2 " X 72 " Belt grinder. Only got a shed to finish then mount my second handed 5 in vise and my 22 lb homemade anvil is going ontop of my 4 ft railroad track as my post.I'll first temper my vice as my first job as a blacksmith in training. Lots of thanks to people on you tube like you John.

And for the record, I appreciated your "Blacksmith's Challenge" video. I appreciate all I've seen, so far. I like absorbing some of your knowledge. Thank you!

I take good information from all your vids.

Your videos are great! I'm just starting out, and each video has been a wealth of knowledge! Keep it up, you're inspiring..

2 hammers at once is definitely smart to get rid of the damn cold shut on the peen. Thank you sir

Hey I just found you with this video. I can’t speak for everyone but I’m trying to get into blacksmithing and I always find information helpful I don’t care if I hear it a million times that helps it stick and I like free stuff so if you do giveaways in the future I’ll be watching out

That’s so badass I’m here just getting to the point where I’m gonna try my first hammer and axe and he just made 2 hammers in one video 😅

I’m still watching some olde videos haven’t seen them all yet and I have too say the quality has improved vastly. The new microphone and camera are so much better now. You’re still very informative . I could see you as a shop teacher in a high school either metal or a wood shop teacher I do believe . Hanks for all the great videos and information John

I forgot to comment on safety and challenge video’s. Maybe mark those beginners lesson. I know so little about this I love to hear all of it.

Definitely mix safety as you go, this is how I'm learning anyway :D, but I'm watching all your videos also, so I'll get to the full safety videos soon I'd imagine.

Well at 52 Im only 3 classes into my level 1 training at the Orange County Blacksmith Guild but i know that I will be forging my own hammer as soon as possible. Thanks for the knowledge that you post on your channel.

I love you man ,I really learn from you much respect from Algeria )

I like safety videos and free stuff!

I love your videos, anyone who unsubscribed because of blacksmith challenge videos isn’t worth your attention. Once I get my new shop setup (just relocated) I’ll do the challenge and send you the results!

Hi John, I'm enjoying this video immensely. I heard your skit about safety, and how very few people responded to your safety videos. I have absolutely no problems with anybody addressing safety whatsoever. I am constantly preaching "Safety First, Foremost and Always," and I do so without reservations and no hesitation. Thank you for always keeping safety in mind. As for your freebies... I am subscribed to your channel, but don't have much time to be visiting KZread a lot with life being life n'all. I received your email inquiring about what kind of hammer I am interested in. I'm glad I found this video because now I can watch, study and learn some of the steps that goes into hammer making. Thank you for your always well done videos. James, Anchorage Alaska

Two Birds with One Stone. Nice one John

I made a round punch very similar to that one by cutting the handle off a REALLY cheap spud wrench I got from Harbor Freight. I broke the wrench, but the handle made an amazing drift. As a bonus, there was a 3/16 hole in the opposite end that I've used as a rivet set.

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

Good recycling effort.

What a clever idea. Forging two hammers at once and ending up with a matched set, a cross peen and a straight peen. So you got me thinking, if you were to fuller them on diagonal, then you would end up with a matched set of diagonal peen hammers, a left and right. I got to try this. Thanks for sharing this idea.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Should work fine, but I haven't tried it.

@longhorn7809

3 ай бұрын

Don't neglect to make a video of it Please

I enjoy watching your videos based on your craftmanship mastery, I learn a lot thank you. Just a quick comment, I cannot wrap my mind around why people feel the need to hit the dislike button, if I dislike something there are a lot of other videos to watch. I've seen this before and it's been silently nagging me somewhat...the psychology of it really.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Luckily not to many people go there. the average is 99.6% 👍

@tomcarlson3244

4 жыл бұрын

I think .4 dislikes is way off should be zero in my opinion. You are offering instruction, if you don’t need it or agree with it don’t use it.

@trentboling7880

3 жыл бұрын

Possible for someone to hit the wrong button on accident? Can't see any other reason.

Interesting process and can see the benefits in making two at once. Thanks John.

Hey, John, its been a few years, and I know I would love to see challenges. Is there a way to poll your viewers and see if maybe more folks would be interested in participating in challenges now? Enjoy your instructive content, and as a new member (joined last year, but havent been able to participate yet due to distances of events) of the RMS hopefully I'll get to meet you some day.

John, after discovering your channel just a few weeks back, I have been watching your videos in order as best as possible. I did watch the safety videos all the way through because it’s always interesting listening to someone talk about a subject they are passionate about. I also have watched the giveaway and blacksmith challenge videos. I think you hit the nail on the head with the safety videos. Some of us can sit through safety lectures after a lifetime of doing it. Most can’t though. Smaller snippets of safety “pointers” and “reminders” throughout your videos will be better received. For the BS Challenge video. I think that is all in the name of the video. Maybe, “How to always be learning as a blacksmith” or “A tip to improve your blacksmith skills.” It’s all in the name. By the way, loved that video and have just purchased four bars of 1/2” to start on this weekend. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos and seeing your videography skills improve.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

thanks for the tips. Hope you continue to enjoy the videos.

@clintkees6158

3 жыл бұрын

i know the safety parts can be dry and hard to keep people interested in. i have been watching people like yourself and big dog forge because neither of you are famious celebs. you are real people and i feel that is the best to learn from not someone making tons of money just with a face and name now... you live your craft and that is where the wealth is at. all that info accrued over your experiences is worth more than gold... just got to find a way to help others see it as gold. so for the safety thing maybe make it interesting some how? for the covid announcement big dog made a robot thing to address the issue and the video was him building it. it drew in the audience in a unique way. just an idea i thought i would share. love all the content and yeah i do believe i am gunna subscribe and all the bells n whistles XP

I love the way your showing me how to make my hammer when i get started on mine Great job ! I'm just Curious How many time's you ever hit your hand with you Whaling your hammer at that punch Lol You have Great aim with your hits bud I love your videos Your a great teacher keep up your great work buddy

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

So far I have been lucky not to

I'm always up for learning a new technique of hammer making

Thank you

I just found you vids, I love them!!!

Great video. I just found your channel and I subscribed. I am looking forward to more videos. Bill from Seattle

So far, working with charcoal, only klinkers I've had were from the nails I left in the pallet wood I make into the charcoal, if I don't use pallet wood, then I don't get klinkers,.

Dear sir, I love your videos. I think you are one of the best blacksmiths online. Thank you so much for sharing what you do and know. But!!! I have a suggestion, try to make shorter videos, most people don't have such long attention spans. I think you could get more views that way. Thank you again for sharing with all of us what you do best!

Nice video..

Gracias por compartir, saludos desde Uruguay

Great videos true craftsmanship thank you from across the pond

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Didn't realize how much weight you've lost until I go back and rewatch some of these oldie but goody vids again! Good job man!

thank you for this video John, I may try this 2 hammer at once method with my first try. i have a air/hydraulic press so i think i'll try to make "drawing" dies for it to do the piens

Love your videos very informative great to see you working with a coal forge in the UK is almost impossible to get a good gas forge so most work with coal Keep up the great work 👍

@jgclark45

6 жыл бұрын

look for Alec Steele, I think he is Norwich he sells burners, he is all over youtube

Sorry to hear about the people who didn't like safety and the challenge. I enjoy your videos. I've watched Mark asberry for a few years. I don't know how your giveaway works. Mostly I watch to see if you have a better way than I know how to do. I also like df in the shop channel. Right now your my favorite Smith. Thanks for all the videos every one .

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Not everyone will enjoy every video. Mark is an excellent teacher I enjoy watching him work. The giveaway was a one time drawing and it has already been done. I may do another one in the future.

Hope you find the center mark quick. Your glove is smoking. LOL Easy to understand the need for a long punch or drift.

John, great video as always. I do have a suggestion, i would love to see you punching eyes and making hammers and axes, all on the hydraulic press. From making the punches, drifts and any other dies it takes. You would be the only one on you tube with such a video. There are a few vids on this subject but no one goes into any detail at all. And since a lot of us are getting presses and not power hammers these days i think it would be some great untapped content. Either way thanks for all the great vids.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

I do plan on addressing that. My current punch setup needs a bit of tweaking, so I will likely start by making the new system as part of the video and then compare it to the old.

@joemajor6066

6 жыл бұрын

Sweet i cant wait. I too am tweaking my punch setup over and over again. I cant seem to get it to punch straight every time, it could just be the operator,lol. I look forward to see how you approach press punching.

John I am just thinking to try my first hammer, this is great idea. I need both Cross Pein Hammers. Thank you. I have quite a few cut offs of W1. Can I use that for hammers or maybe handled punches and chisel?

Hello John, I enjoyed this video very much. I also like that you offer folks your safety observations that stem from your long experience in the craft. I didn't watch the safety video all the way through; I was in the mining industry for many years and was familiar with the cautions that you present. It's useful information though, for those who may be just getting started, and really don't know their way around a workshop environment. I'm looking forward to your video or videos about making charcoal. I have been using local coal for fuel and like you, find a lot of clinkers in the fire. Also, I like seeing you use the "Little Giant" and I wonder where you get the dies for it? Thanks!

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment, I am glad you're enjoying the videos. Little Giant still sells dies www.littlegianthammer.com/

Wish I was you next door neighbor.. And could help you out in exchange for knowledge

I am enjoying your videos John. I would like to make a small axe and my propane forge does not get hot enough for forge welding and would like to try punching the eye and would like your input on the best way to go about this. I punched a hammer eye with the two holes as on your previous hammer video and it worked well but the axe eye has a such a long eye the Brian Brazil style punch may be better. I made a axe swage from 1" stock but it came out two small and will not fit through the 1" hardy hole so I may need to make some sort of swage block with a rectangle hole. Thanks for sharing your craft.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Opening your post vise just the right distance can be a very handy spot to drift an axe. It's a bit tall so I don't so it unless it's the only option. The way the vise jaws curve away also provide an ideal shape to support the underside of the blade without deforming.

Biscuits are the bane of barefoot boys!

My subscribers list just keeps growing, I don’t know a lot of reasons why people would unsubscribe a channel. Maybe just to clean out channels they are not interested in at all anymore.

John I love all your videos

Curious, what kind of gloves do you use? I notice it starting to steam or smoke when you were enlarging the center punch mark? Like your videos a lot, setting up my own blacksmithing shop. Gathering tools and really looking forward to making my own tools and projects..

@BlackBearForge

3 жыл бұрын

Kevlar hot mill gloves. I generally buy from Pieh Toolpiehtoolco.com/contents/en-us/p6640.html

If all you had was a piece of pipe and a bunch of different welding rods, what rod would you recommend using to fill the pipe for a hammer blank?

Which technique do you prefer after trying the Brian Brazil method ? Which one is easier on the user to do? I am fixing to embark on making my own hammers and find this information very useful

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

I prefer either predrilling the outer ends and punching the center or punching round (which forges out into an oval eye). I have never found the Brazil style punch to be an improvement.

Really enjoy all your videos learn a lot from them. Steve, Nottingham England.

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

I liked the challenge, I thought the drawing out of tapers was really good.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I will have more in that series in the near future

@lenblacksmith8559

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks John.

I'm not sure it "cancels" the error so much as it makes the error symmetrical

I have been looking at it closer and it looks like what I though was a welded on face is just the weld used to square the edges. still something vibrates with every hammer strike. Is that normal? I have a 18x18" oak log square hewn to hold my anvil up. Anyways safety tips are cool and necessary.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

I thought that bad weld might be what you were seeing. It came to me that way many years ago. I suppose I could put some more weld in that spot to fill the hole. I think the vibration is due to the chains becoming loose on the anvil and is the same as the vibrations that make the anvil ring. My most recent video deals with that issue, so hopefully it will look better as well as sound better.

John, I know you advocate using a drill press for beginners. Would you recommend drilling a true center hole and then using a round center punch; similar to when you drilled two holes for the oblong punch? Almost a Center pilot hole?

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

It might help, but I haven't tried it

@TheirsHopewithJesusChrist_277

5 жыл бұрын

With me coming from a machining background 3rd generation my dad was a machinest and my grandpa was a machinest and ive been through some college machining classes before joining the military. I chose a different path and am now trying to get into blacksmithing. I think a hole drilled in the center would probably keep the punch centered as you punch through your work piece.

You mention lack of multi tasking leading to burning (over heating?) the stock. Question: I left an axe bit in my wood stove to burn out the remnant plastic/wood and totally forgot until the lady pulled it out glowing. Now it is easy to dent the bit on it, can I attempt to re-treat or temper this piece or have I ruined it?

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

It can be re hardened and would have needed it after any amount of time in a wood fire anyway. But not knowing whether its air, oil or water hardening makes it more difficult to know how to proceed.

John: Do you taper your hammer head hole one way or both from top and bottom?Thanks...Nice demo.....

@BlackBearForge

2 жыл бұрын

Both sides for an hourglass eye

@ericsprado4631

2 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge Thanks John..

A curiosity John, what is that large tapered mass beside your little giant 25lb power hammer? What do you use it for? Cheers , Michael McDonald

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

That is a cone mandrel. It is used to truing up rings

I have an other question for you. How can you make a bigger hammer from scratch when you only have a small/medium hammer ? Because my hammer is too small and I can't beat the Steel easily when it comes to make a bigger hammer with a larger piece. It's way harder to compress the steel. Is there a better way than juste making a little bigger hammer and scale up ? Also Thank you for your video very, very helpful ! And Congrats on your 20k Subs

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

Certainly buying a bigger hammer, even a cheap beat up used one, will give you something large enough to forge a new hammer. Otherwise its probably just a matter of using a 2 pound hammer to make a 2 1/2 pound hammer and go up from there. Pre drilling the eye so you just need to punch out the little web between the hole will make that much easier. Then leaving the peen end fairly blunt you could grind to finish.

Sei que fazer os furos desta forma faz parte da arte em forjar metais. Mas não seria mais efetivo furar com uma furadeira e depois sim realizar o forjamento necessário?

@BlackBearForge

2 жыл бұрын

It can be at times. But you lose more material than you do with a punch. There are many ways to approach the same problem

Great video, i must say there is an issue with the audio... you have the mike too close to your mouth, or the mike level is too high. Please, set your mike to a non-distorting level, it can ruin a whole video. Thanks, take care.

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you fore the observation, I will do some experimenting with audio options in the next video to see what works best.

@freddydoe6347

6 жыл бұрын

Yes audio is very bad please do something.

Instead of turning the workpiece, could you just turn the punch?

I've noticed that you don't generally wear hearing protection while hammering. Any particular reason?

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

I took the time to quite the excessive noise from the anvil so I don’t need to. You’ll probably find that most smiths don’t tend to when at the anvil.

@michaelscott8226

4 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge I saw the video of you resetting the big anvil. Its so quiet now that it sounds like you're hitting a piece of lead. Just enough metallic sound to know it's there. Loving the blacksmithing for beginners playlist.

If a hammer has to be forged with a hammer, where did the first hammer come from?

Did you ever get around to a charcoal manufacturing video?

@BlackBearForge

3 жыл бұрын

Not yet we were under a complete outdoor fire ban most of last year.

Hey John, Your gloves are smoking! (at about the 18 minute mark).

Man you people are something. I can hear grunts and groans.. the audio is blah blah blah. Who cares the man is working.. that's what it sounds like. If that deterred you from learning anything then that is a shame. John don't apologize for anything. No need to be catering to these cry babies. Great video. Just what I have needed to see tonight to get me on track for tomorrow. Thank you sir.

@clintkees6158

3 жыл бұрын

i gotta agree. like yeah sure the audio isnt great... but does any of this shop featured look like a damn studio? no of course not... it is a shop. and this is a working man trying to share his knowledge with what he had at hand.. why not applaude that he tried and succeded at all? when dealing with what you have at hand.. you have to know that not everything will be aces. it is what you do with the hand you are dealt that makes the metal of a man. it is not about the hand that was delt but the actions after. i am a big fan of your work good sir and i truely hope to watch and learn for many more years to come!

what is sucker rod?

@BlackBearForge

2 жыл бұрын

Its the connecting rod that goes from the above ground portion of a pump to the well head in the ground. Typically found in oil wells.

Just shows how impatient people are nowadays. Safety is so important when working with hot metal, sparks, flying chips, and hot parts all are hazardous.

You said the hammer you used in this video was a 1.5 lb. I asked you about a hammer before. Think we got mixed up... I like the design of the 1.5 lb. Itd be cool as a 2.5 lb. The peen is a slimmer design and the face is a large flat square. Line those..

You could use two punches and let one cool while you use the other. Faster work and fewer heats. Just saying...

What is the difference between coke and coal?

@BlackBearForge

2 жыл бұрын

Coke is what coal turns into after the the volatils are burned off, its a pure form of carbon. Coke is to coal what charcoal is to wood.

your videos are really enjoyable and informative however the face of your anvil drives me crazy! looking forward to more videos

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Just what is it about the face of the anvil?

@anthonyd7637

4 жыл бұрын

Apparently nothing lol

The audio in this is worse. It was better befor. It's probably diferant on diferant divises

Thats sad that the safety and other videos lost you subscribers. I would bet money many people on here aren't blacksmiths and just like watching you make stuff.

Why not trun the punch and not the work peace

@BlackBearForge

10 ай бұрын

If you naturally tip the punch one way or the other turning the punch won't help correct the problem.

If I could recommend one thing it would be to pull your mic a little further from your mouth other than that I love it and other videos made by you.

oh john redo audio fuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

By all means let me jump in my time machine and see if I can go back and fix that for you. 😉

@petepeterson4540

5 жыл бұрын

don't get smart with me just voice over it some things or words you can't understand if it's to much to ask forget it you can't do it fine but I have edit videos I think it could be done . it's your channel I don't have to hit the like button like I did and I can change it at any given time and not just change it for me but everyone going to see other ways of doing things I am sorry you feel the need to insult me nicely but insulted I am. much love peace you do with your channel what you want. you could have said yes I know pete but I was tired and didn't feel the need to change the video.when someone with a implant can't hear. Oh well better luck next time buddy huh!

@BlackBearForge

5 жыл бұрын

No intention to insult you at all. If you know of a way to voice over a video that has already been uploaded and published to KZread I would love to know about it. I have looked for ways to go back and edit older videos, but have never found an option. If you watch the more recent videos you should notice a big difference in the audio quality after investing in better microphone options. But in the long run, I am a blacksmith trying to make videos, not a video producer trying to forge things. We can either accept the videos for what they are or not have videos. Sorry if it was hard for you to hear and sorry if you can’t take a little joke about not being able to go back and fix what is already finished.

@petepeterson4540

5 жыл бұрын

oh yes I know you have great videos I have many others I have watched except where you forgot to turn it on the audio that is.

@petepeterson4540

5 жыл бұрын

the only way is maintain a library of videos dub over video upload keeping a copy mark the old video as private or contact youtube to find out how to delete a video rename it such as edited to improve sound quality forging hammers upload saving copy on stick.

Had to have my earphones on, could not deal with the audio. Bummed!

Microphone sounds over modulated.

Tried again, just too many little grunts and groans and clicks. Darn it! So informative yet too annoying. "Info-noyance"

@BlackBearForge

6 жыл бұрын

Well I certainly don't mean to annoy anyone. Some of the of the grunts and groans simply come with hard work and some from being a bit older than I would like. But I will try experimenting with the audio input to see if I can find a better system without investing a months income on professional audio equipment.

@Finn-McCool

6 жыл бұрын

John Switzer you sir, are a gentleman and a scholar, and a very entertaining/informative videographer. The experience I had was compounded by the fact that in order to not wake my slumbering wife I had a very good set of headphones on and the nuanced audio was too much to handle. I've watched it with a level of background noise and it's much easier to digest. I apologize that my comment was offensive in any way. Just trying to make a point. Thanks.

I apologize for the unsolicited comment, and realize this video is from a year ago, but I believe your sub loss had less to do with your content and more with presentation. The audio on this video is so awful. I can hear WAY too many noises I shouldn't, and what I most want to hear (your explanation) is horribly muffled and distorted. Content is great though. It's like an online blacksmith class