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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 9, 2007 21:28:27 GMT
My dear father and I are enrolling on a course in traditional metalworking and blacksmithing!
This course, held at the west point forge (a small business that is part of the British Blacksmiths guild) which is located very near the seaside (crappy) town of Weston-Super-Mare.
The course is a single day taster only, and I hope that it will give me an insight into what really is involved in the craft. After all, any of us can look at youtube videos and go "how hard can it be", but I think the only way to really find out it is to try firsthand. Training under a master ensures that you don't waste your time either.
My first ever lesson will involve learning how to light a forge, handle the tools, and the forging and drawing down of a simple point, apparently an essential skill.
If we take a shine to it we can enrole in further courses, such as a one day improver course, where further basic skills are learned. Once we have done enough of these to know our way around the forge, we can take a weekend courses to give us greater experience. Finally, when all incompetance has been eliminated (a long time, I am sure), we can take a specialist course in the type of metalworking that appeals to us most. Mine will obviously be bladesmithing, should I ever get that far. I may do, I may not.
One of the best things about the courses is that items made at the workshops can be sold at your own stall, so long as they are of sufficient quality.
Should I decide to take it on as a long term learning experience, I may even go somewhere with it. Wish me luck.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 9, 2007 21:44:01 GMT
Awesome, I should look around for similar opportunities in my area, I think it'd be fun. A pain in the arse, mayhaps, but fun in retrospect. Maybe I should gather the remains of my credit, move to Texas, and beg Mr. Davis to take me in. ...Nah, he'd never put up with me long enough.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2007 3:36:15 GMT
Too bad you are not in the US, you could come to my forge for a beginner class. HAVE FUN and i feel bad for the rest of your family, they will have to deal with your constant ramblings about metal now:D.
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Post by rammstein on Nov 10, 2007 3:41:17 GMT
Something tells me Sam was disowned at some point in his life...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2007 6:19:16 GMT
HAhaha no but some people get ral tired of my rambling sometimes:D.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 10, 2007 16:47:05 GMT
It should be great fun. I'm especially looking forward to finding out exactly how hard forging really is, shaping with a hammer and all. Hey Sam, got any tips for my first lesson?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2007 21:09:14 GMT
This course, held at the west point forge (a small business that is part of the British Blacksmiths guild) which is located very near the seaside (crappy) town of Weston-Super-Mare. Say hello to Lord Archer for me ! Oh that's right, he lives in Sussex. ;D
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 10, 2007 22:15:18 GMT
Oh no! Not him! Isnt he still in Prison...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2007 2:33:48 GMT
Oh no! Not him! Isnt he still in Prison... He is the lord of Weston-super-mare I believe. He has been released from the nick for a while now, my latest bit of lit. is a rather short book entitled " The gospel according to Judas", with a forward from all people, Jeffery Archer. Apparently It is this lost text of Judas Iscariot's interpretation of his interactions with old Jesus , total non-fiction, transcribed from Aramaic. Only God knows why they let Jeffery Archer do the forward
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Nov 11, 2007 4:57:38 GMT
Apparently It is this lost text of Judas Iscariot's interpretation of his interactions with old Jesus , total non-fiction, transcribed from Aramaic. I always get suss when they claim that stuff. Like where has it been the last 2000yrs, buried under the Vatican or something? Why is it for sale now? ??
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2007 7:43:20 GMT
Apparently It is this lost text of Judas Iscariot's interpretation of his interactions with old Jesus , total non-fiction, transcribed from Aramaic. I always get suss when they claim that stuff. Like where has it been the last 2000yrs, buried under the Vatican or something? Why is it for sale now? ?? Mate I always read with an open mind. The vatican has allowed its publication as to censor it would only attract more attention to it. Very interesting, if you like that sort of stuff.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Nov 11, 2007 9:03:54 GMT
Yeah man, I'd be very interested, if it is real. If it has been allowed by the vatican, that may not mean that they believe it to be real.
Hmmm?
What is it called / Author?
BTW back on topic: MAtt, even if your first creations are binned, please feel welcome to share your learning with us.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 12, 2007 14:58:44 GMT
Most certainly. I'll post all the amusing pics I think it might be interesting for other people to see, especially if they were interested in learning as well. It would show the learning process, and I could say what went wrong each time, and that way, people could find out what the difficult bits are, and where the pitfalls lie.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2007 15:03:10 GMT
WOAH what a whiny derailment. No whining like whining about religion stuff:P.
Matt BRING A NOTEBOOK, don't even begin to think you can remember it all later ask me how i know:D. Also, be very polite and listen CLOSELY to whatever the teacher/s say at all times. And have fun forging is not hard to do, but forging well is.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 15, 2007 11:08:58 GMT
Good idea! Thanks Sam! It'll be great. Apparently the day has been booked but I don't know when for, as it is part of my Christmas present ;D
I'm looking forward to it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2007 15:51:01 GMT
Friggin sweet, you will be open mouthed and wide eyed ALL DAY. Just be patient and listen to everything the instructor says.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 15, 2007 22:02:42 GMT
Its booked!! 15th of september! Can't wait.
I'll certainly be patient. I'm a pretty good student. It will be many lessons before I make anything worthwile, but the great thing about these courses is the way that if you make a good enough item, they let you sell it at their stalls to fund your course fees. Extra incentive for you to get it right!
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 15, 2007 22:29:43 GMT
Wow, not until September? The anticipation would kill me first. Hopefully you're more patient than I am.
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Post by Matt993f.o.d on Nov 16, 2007 11:02:41 GMT
Sorry! I meant December!
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 16, 2007 15:01:22 GMT
Oh, that's better. Have fun.
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