That's great John. I like how you are honest and a genuine person. Thanks for sharing. Personally I think it looks great.

I love your honesty about your work. You are a true craftsman and a gentleman

You are one of the most talented teachers I've ever seen work, thank you,,

Great work, I think the rustic appearance adds to the handmade character!

I appreciated the Roy Underhill comment. He was a huge inspiration to me. We all learn much more from our mistakes. Success comes from mistakes. Love the hook!!

I had to watch this twice before I caught how the hole was formed. Very clever.

Thank you John, I am not a good blacksmith, and for the longest time I would watch your videos, then go out to my shop and tinker around, sometime doing a technique you showed but most the time just something I knew how to do. Then about a year ago I decided to do the project that you were doing (if I had the material) and force myself to finish the project. This did two things for me, well two major changes, besides all the side benefits of learning. One by doing and completing the project it forced me out of my comfort zone, and made me a much better smith. Two it has taught me that I can do more complicated projects, and now when someone comes and ask me to make something, I have the confidence to take on the project, see it through, and realize that even a basic blacksmith like myself can achieve the results I want or need if I put the effort in. Forever thankful Lunch Box Charlie.

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful, keep up the good work

@aliceharvey1226

4 жыл бұрын

Charles Zimmermann Wow, great lessons learned, thanks for sharing that insight. Breaking through that comfort zone is so freeing, I’ll bet you smile a lot more working in the shop now. And I’ll bet you are a better blacksmith than you think.

I like that you showed your own faults, rather than fixing it off camera, editing, making it look great, then pretending that all goes perfect every time. Nice work

“I got the idea!!”, and I love the hook- made with skilled hands. I appreciate that you take time to share your passion with Blacksmithing!

That bendy bar clamp is awesome. If only securing other things was so easy.

I love the hook idea. We have a saying in our industry, as Kenny Rogers put it, 'Know when to walk away', or in the case of my wife, 'Know when to run!'

Awesome. Happy Easter

Good project. I was thinking of making a cross, but I was afraid I would burst into flames. This was interesting, entertaining and educational... I appreciate your putting this video out..

"well you get the idea" made me laugh. You are awesome for giving us so many ideas!

Fascinating process. I enjoy your videos.

How appropriate for this being Easter Sunday. So glad you show us that even you are not exactly happy with a project you are working on.

An ideal Easter Sunday Hook'of-the-Week. I think some people might find it offensive, but I would provide a small pair of forged nails for mounting it to the wall. I am not intending to be offensive, but I feel that would be the most appropriate way to hang this hook.

Even though it's not perfect it still is a great instructional video. Plus it emphasizes that which we should watch as we go. The square bar in the diamond eye was news to me as I dont reckon I'd seen that b4. Solid gold content to us new folks. Sorry my comment is late silly old work got in the way. 🙏 blessed be and hope Easter was great day for you Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

You bet John, I got the idea, grin.... Good video, thank you,

Still a good idea. They don't always go well. Thanks for sharing

You should make a "Wonky Bits" or "You Get the Idea" Section to your shop for discount stuff.

I love the nod to Roy. As always, great video.

I like to use my chipping hammer to randomly hit the cross to give it the wood texture look. Several of my customers like that. Take care and God bless you John.

I like it , John! Yeah it's not Factory perfect, It's hand made by a true craftsman.

Hello John This Hook looks great You are to critical to your self This hook looks Hand Made With heat Hammer and alot of skills So it had to look otherwise you can Made them automaticly in China or elsewere They all looks then the same Stay healthy and save Happy eastern Yours Frank

That is awesome bro

I think it’s great that you share the outcome of your work even when it’s not exactly what you were shooting for! Happy Easter to you and your family! God Bless you sir!

I've made maybe a half dozen of these types of crosses, but never into a hook. I typically use an angle grinder to create the cuts. I lose more material, but the rest is usually the same. I've NEVER made a perfect one! This was an informative and honest project. Well done! Thank you for your contribution to this craft!

I like your honesty John it shows even the best of as miss the mark now and then. but it's still a great looking hook if you ask me .cheers.

I like that Your OK with showing the less then perfect work. Turns out your human.

I really need practice with making split crosses. This idea would make great gifts, thank you very much!

Your comments about being more careful with layout hit home! An ounce of prevention, and so on. Thanks, as always, for taking the time and effort to produce these.

I'm the owner of a Victorian home. When I made the porch rail(out of wood) I cut in crosses. The railing for the steps is metal(its out in the weather). I've been searching for a design element that would be compatible and doable. I think this will work. I'll need to make 24, wow(they'll need to look alike). Wish me luck.

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

For consistency, band sawing the cuts might help keep that step exactly the same.

I have made these but I never thought of making it hook. A great idea for Easter Sunday.

They start looking better after about the third one you do in a row..lol..first one in a while is tough.. good job explaining..

Really love the idea

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it!

Great idea for Easter Sunday, if you decide to sell it I have a nice spot too hang it. I really enjoy my Sunday morning coffee with the hook of the week ...

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

If you want it $10 would cover my time to pack it up as well as the shipping.

@gregorygwiazda3139

4 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge you have pay pal

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Yes I do. If you provide your email I will send an invoice through PayPal.

@gregorygwiazda3139

4 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge gw_oz@yahoo.com

Awesome informative Video Experience 👍

Idea received, sir. Thanks again!! Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter and to stay protected!!

Great idea. In terms of proportions, I would have made the longest lower arm with the hook longer. That way, the cross will become more visible.

Happy Easter John, thanks for the video!

Thank you for your time and help. My plan is to do several of these mounted on a copper back plate for a church.

Yes I get the idea still a great hook and yes I remember Roy Underhill and the Woodright Shop I used to love watching that show

Happy Easter Sunday Jon. Love the video. Thank you for making such a cool project. Also, don't despair over tiny imperfections, they are indicative of learning experiences and give the peice character and soul.

First video of the day. Starting off right. So everything does not always work out exactly as planned? Who woulda thunk it! Enjoy your day and God bless us all on this day. He is risen.

Супер!!! Мне очень нравится Ваша работа. Есть желание у Вас поучиться в реальности, но нет возможности ((. Всех благ и процветания Вам и вашему каналу!!!

I loved it! That old rugged cross.

Oh i love this split cross hook. Seen so many videos of split cross but everytime i get excited wen splitting. Hope everyone is safe . Sir please more drone videos👍👍👍👍

Happy Easter

One nice thing about those imperfect attempts... that's one more hook to be used somewhere in the shop!

Happy Easter!

And todays why didn't i do that moment, put a square punch in the vise while straightening. instead of chancing the cross around the anvil to find place for a straight line. THX

John, thank you , nicely done. Happy Easter to you and yours.

I really do enjoy your videos sir!!!

I wish to be that good with a chisel and hammer!

Another fine Hook of the week. Have a Blessed Easter. I also watched Roy Underhill. He was great.

I got the idea. Thanks sir once again.

Yes, I remember that episode of Woodwright's Shop.

Like this hook for Easter, Also nice work and John Switzer teaching us we are in your depth. Sir thanks

Neat idea. I like making split crosses, although that's the first I've seen one chisel split. I always bandsaw mine. Something to try next time I make a larger one.

Great occasion for a split cross hook. I got to give that a shot here soon. Been wanting to

Good morning John, Happy Easter to you and your family. Enjoyed watching your video this morning. It was quite interesting and I got the idea 🤔. Thanks for sharing with us and keep them coming. Fred.

Awesome Hook ! Happy Easter to You Sir !

I love making folded crosses. Haven't done the hook aspect yet. I thing 3 of them on an old piece of barn wood would be fantastic. And if you just going to scrap this one I'll pay shipping, then I could have a piece of BBF memorabilia;)

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but someone beat you to it

have a wounder full Easter Sunday everyone. love the cross hook.

These are fun to make! Good morning!

I got the idea and Thank You Kindly! A Fine and Joyful Spring! Get out on those lovely bikes! DaveyJO in Pa.

I get the idea 💡

Yep, I get the idea, good technique to get the centre!

Cool video..

I get the idea that some days things just don't come together. I am pretty sure no one is immune to this sooo just call it rustic and send it :}

That was a great idea to use the bending fork, i just made one last night and that would have come in handy. Wonderful job as always john. Happy Easter to you and your family!! Well done sir👏👏

Mr. Switzer, thank you Sir for all of your videos. I would like to purchase this particular hook. i do not mine the imperfections. its a reminder of how imperfect I am. Be safe and take good care of yourself and your family. very respectfully, D P-H.

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry to say, but someone else asked earlier in the day.

Neat project John, have a blessed easter

Gr8 hookup John, I wonder if piolet drilling the split ends would help? Nice job

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

It would certainly help keep it more accurate, but I'm afraid the profile of the drilled edge would look odd in the finished piece.

Hi John 🐥happy easter. Funny thing to make, i wil try it some time 😃

Call it character!, lol

Heheh. I posted a video last night of a split cross. Let's just say that the cross that finished the video isn't the cross that started the video. Lot's of good pointers here for my next one. Thanks!

Champion!

Happy Easter morning John, hope you and your family are all well. IMHO the hook needs to be a little more cross and a little less hook just for aesthetics.

That is a beutiful idea for a hook, especially on Easter Sunday. I know it's not perfect, but as they say, the imperfections are the thing that makes something beutiful 😊 I would still find somewhere to hang it up 👍 Something I keep wondering is, what is that thing leaning up against the hydrologic press that looks like 1 link from a MASSIVE chain?

Thought it was a good job anyway 👍

Hi John

Drift the hole out round and melt a colored marble in the hole.

@aliceharvey1226

4 жыл бұрын

Hayward Cool idea, I think I’ve seen things with that glass detail. Nice.

I think I will try this with a railroad spike. What do you think?

Good evening! How do you blackend the metall? Do you have videos about that? Is that the linseed oil or other oils? Thanks for telling the widths and lengths in millimeter. I would also like a video about the metal you buy in the metal shop. the name and numbers on the soft metall and hard metall. Please keep up the good work! Great videos!

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

I use paste wax while the metal is still just hot enough to make the wax smoke lightly. kzread.info/dash/bejne/c6aJmpOIZrLPcsY.html

What about forging a cross from flat bar then punch and drift the hole in the center or wherever you want it in the cross?

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

It would result in a different appearance and lack that bit of wonder that makes this something only a blacksmith can do.

This is the second time I've had an idea for a different type of hook to make with the 3/8" round bar you recommended for the "getting started for $500" series, and found you've already made one for hook of the week (the other being the heart hook). Do you think if I square up that 3/8 inch round bar, it will be wide enough to chisel through, or would you recommend waiting until I get a little more robust stock?

Great video! I have a unrelated question. I have a 178 pound Peter Wright anvil from 1903. It has a bad imperfection in the face. It looks like a chunk was taken out underneath the face and the face was folded over it. I don’t feel comfortable repairing it myself. Who should I get in contact with to help me?

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

I would start by getting involved with your local blacksmithing group and see if anyone there knows how to make the repair. I don't know of anyone you could ship it to.

@laynebradley8880

4 жыл бұрын

Black Bear Forge ok thank you. My local group would be the badger blacksmiths but I can’t find any information on how to join

@jesseherman2453

4 жыл бұрын

If you are anywhere near the Pacific Northwest......Scott can do it kzread.info/dash/bejne/oHiTmLt-iKmwYcY.html

Like

I am not sure a split 6 pointed star is possible but how about a 6 pointed star made with interwoven bars forge welded at the ends?

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

The welded points idea would be straight forward enough. But I can't think f how to d the split and open versiion

Any reason you couldn't run the hook split all the way through, then upset the top arm to make a decorative top on the cross?

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

You certianly could if you didn't mind that the arms then looked different. But you could also just cut the top to length as needed

I will bandsaw them. I can character later.

I would seriously buy it if you want to sell it to me.

@BlackBearForge

4 жыл бұрын

I'm afraid someone already beat you to it. But thanks

Don't know how you get a Jeebus up on that but nice hook either way, Happy Zombie Day

@blkacid

4 жыл бұрын

LOL

20:02 Wrong tool for that job lol

Happy Easter