Will Dobkins' business, Homestead Iron in Squires, Missouri (in the Ozark Mountains). He and his wife started by repurposing old garden tools with new handles. Realizing that these old tools were much better than the tools available today, he decided to make his own tools. In this video, we watch will work in his shop forging tools while explaining his blacksmithing methods and materials.
Will’s mission is to “make useful, lasting, purposeful use of our natural resource” while producing quality products.
Will uses C1075 steel for all the cutting tools. He does not use rebar or railroad spike steel because it is or unknown content and he cannot ensure the quality. His tools are guaranteed for a lifetime. He drills and rivets all the tools, not using any epoxy or other adhesives.
Will demos an antique Fly Press that he uses to work the steel, alternatively with hammering. He has many attachments for this old machine and describes many of their uses.
We see will use a fuller as a hammer to form a trowel blade. He then demonstrates sharpening the edges and his single step heat treatment (tempering). The finished trowel has a differential hardness - the edges being extremely hard and the center handle connection being softer and springier.
In Part 1 Will shows us his hand tools and explains the materials, use and advantages of each tool.