My heart is smiling...

[ironglows]

.
  Having been involved in blacksmithing for 30 years and growing old, I wished to pass along some of the skill and
 tools, to my descendants.
     Praise God!  My youngest grandson decided to indulge.  Rather than general blacksmithing, he is choosing the path of the blade smith.  He has "hit the ground running", and is already producing some fine blades.
  His good friend is a 2-3 times Forged in Fire winner, and he is studying with him, while developing his own favorite patterns.

   He may have to raise the anvil pedestal.. I'm 5'8".. he's 6'5"..

  Here are some photos his wife just took of him and his middle son, working in his home shop.

  Top photo..  Jonathan starting instruction..

  Middle photo..  I love this one..see how his big hand is covering the boy's own hand...guiding and directing.. just as any good father does with his child in all his life and choices.

  Bottom photo..  Jon's wife snapped an candid photo, over top of great granddaughter's car, into Jon's blacksmith shop !  Notice, tothe right of the boy's shoulder and behind the tiny anvil.. a hornless anvil, I gave him.

  I am so grateful that I can pass my shop and skill down in the family..perhaps for generations.

[neckisred]

Good for you IG!!!!!!!!!! Couple fine looking men there. Does that big fella even need a hammer???

[ironglows]

  Thanks NIR;
    Yes Jonathan has my  Swede hammer now...since I am too old to swing that big hammer anymore. The most popular type smithing hammers are named by their country of origin.  Each pattern comes in several different weights.
  My biggest regular hammer was of Swedish pattern, while the hammer I use most regularly is one of a French pattern.
 My French pattern is about 2 lbs, while my "big Swede" is 2.2 kg..or well over 4 lbs.

  That hammer of over 4 lbs moves a lot of hot steel fast, but anymore it is big for me..

   Here is a page showing some of the hammers. https://hammersource.com/blacksmithing-hammers/

  The hammer shown on the top is a French pattern, whole the 3rd one down is a Swedish pattern.

   That hammer labeled "machinists hammer" is often referred to as a German pattern..(the one the boy is using)

  Yes, Jon is a good sized man, and his regular job is a corrections officer, so there are times when his size is helpful. LOL

[Dand]

wonderful to see you pass on the skills and the younger are interested.

I have seen your posts elsewhere on GB - I don't often visit this forum but now I better understand your handle "Ironglows" on here - I like it.

[ironglow]

wonderful to see you pass on the skills and the younger are interested.

I have seen your posts elsewhere on GB - I don't often visit this forum but now I better understand your handle "Ironglows" on here - I like it.

  Thanks Dand, I was so pleased that my grandson took a huge interest.

[ironglow]

Good for you IG!!!!!!!!!! Couple fine looking men there. Does that big fella even need a hammer???

   ...And he can swing a big hammer.  I jokingly call him a nickname I found on a tag on bib overalls..  I just refer to him as the "Big Smith"..  he's 6'5" and about 260-270 lbs.

  His size may be a benefit in his regular job, as a corrections officer.