velocityofcuriosity

[velocityofcuriosity]

My first and second set of tongs. I went in blind the first time. I know how to rivet. I know how to shape metal. And I “figured” it out haha The trick is making two as close to identical halves then flipping one and riveting the same spot on each. . . . The first pair are too small and will become kitchen tongs! The second pair is much more robust and you can see from the coloring that I’ve already begun using them in the forge. Definitely gonna be making more tongs now. . . . #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #forge #forged #hammertime #smith #craft #crafty #art #artistic #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #USA #curious #tongs #tools (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccnr7OslP87/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[velocityofcuriosity]

My first piece of armor! A pauldron! Made from an old wheel barrow. Armor is surprisingly simple. Once I got the rivets, made some washers, and cut out the pieces it’s just shaping and fitting. The success or failure of this project was determined, like most projects, by the design. This is not uncomfortable to wear but also not comfortable… . . . I don’t think I’ll make a whole suit to fit this pauldron. I’ve already begun designing a new approach to armor that will be close to a full suit. I’ve never really been a fan of full armor, man in a can style, so next time there’ll be more leather accents and some chainmail in the works. I want something I can wear most of a day and enjoy a full range of motion enough to get into some sword play. . . . #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #forge #forged #hammertime #smith #craft #crafty #art #artistic #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #USA #curious #armor (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CclP8JyJGs6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[velocityofcuriosity]

Before the Pandemic I went to my first renegade and it was an amazing Forest Boogie. I tried to thank the land for our presence by leaving no trace and seeking out any litter I could find. Somehow I managed to rip a piece of rebar out of the river that was left over from a demolished dam that was once blocking fish from spawning. . . . These knives are sentimental tokens I intend to gift to the five most important members of the crew that made the event possible. @dillonrag and @booty.kitchen get first pick and will help decide who the last three go to. . . . #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #forge #forged #hammertime #hammer #smith #craft #crafty #art #artistic #knife #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #USA #curious #annual #tradition (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcTs-zQPsKM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[velocityofcuriosity]

It is a tradition among some blacksmiths to create an annual knife. This yearly ritual can function in many ways. I suspect, for the first few years, I’ll be trying to walk around with the highest quality blade I can muster. Sometimes I’ll probably make a knife with a chunk of how I’ll spend the year in mind and having a specifically designed utility tool/knife made for and by me would be sick af. Eventually, I’m sure, I will grow curious and make weird and unusual sharp objects you might argue aren’t knives at all o_0 . . . I chose not to time-lapse so you could really be there chopping that 1x2 with me. Note the subtle taper of the tang. It was rough but we made it and damn if it ain’t better than I hoped for my first annual knife. Let’s see how much more of the year it can survive. . . . Began: 1/25/2022 Completed: 2/23/2022 . . . #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #forge #forged #hammertime #hammer #smith #craft #crafty #art #artistic #knife #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #USA #curious #annual #tradition (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbH3Gr9LP8u/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

It is a tradition among some blacksmiths to create an annual knife. This yearly ritual can function in many ways. I suspect, for the first few years, I’ll be trying to walk around with the highest quality blade I can muster. Sometimes I’ll probably make a knife with a chunk of how I’ll spend the year in mind and having a specifically designed utility tool/knife made for and by me would be sick af. Eventually, I’m sure, I will grow curious and make weird and unusual sharp objects you might argue aren’t knives at all o_0 . . . I chose not to time-lapse so you could really be there chopping that 1x2 with me. It was rough but we made it and damn if it ain’t better than I hoped for my first annual knife. Let’s see how much more of the year it can survive. . . . Began: 1/25/2022 Completed: 2/23/2022 . . . #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #forge #forged #hammertime #hammer #smith #craft #crafty #art #artistic #knife #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #USA #curious #annual #tradition (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbH1kRar2KM/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

This is a small knife I made from a cut out, Ross, one of the other smiths gave me. I left the tang unhammered and shaped the blade. The balance puts all the weight in your hand which can be a good thing for a small knife but changes sheath options and does not lend well to chops! . . . . Speaking of sheaths! This sheath is a new hybrid design of mine. The leather one’s I was making just kept getting cut through and taking more work while yielding lower quality results. I took two half’s of a piece of wood, traced, then cut out the knife blade cavity. Then I glued the pieces together and shaped the final form before attaching leather and carving out the indent for the makers mark. . . . #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #hammertime #hammer #smith #craft #crafty #art #knife #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #curious #forge #forged #mife (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDX_PspvmT/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

Finally finished a proper disc golf cart! A couple old crates, wheels from a kids bike, one janky diy axel, some zip ties, a bit of PVC, and BAM! Comfortable disc golf cart that carries my discs and a lil extra for me🤙 . . . #discgolf #disc #golf #cart #crafty #diy #janky #handmade #latenightcraft #everyonehasabutt #whyareyoureadingthese (at Milo McIver State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CabIWRjL-KZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

Introducing Sophie! She and I have talked about smithing with such fervor I had to bring her into the shop to get her started! My first apprentice and she is taking to it like a fish to water. . . . You may be able to see it but if not I showed her how to make a basic wall hook. It teaches the basic principles of moving hot metal. Drawing it out to a point, adding a twist, curving the hook, and flattening the end. Then it’s just a matter of drilling the hole and cleaning it up and finished! . . . #protege #apprentice #student #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #hammertime #smith #craft #crafty #art #knife #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #curious #forge #forged (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaWUHIjr_UD/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

Caught three beautiful trout today. Learned a new style of fishing from an old Punk and they’re roasting in the oven as we speak! . . . For a long time I was a purist when it comes to fishing. Wild only and natural baits. I never had much success here in Oregon. It was much easier in Minnesota to dive into a lake for a couple clams, smash them open for bait, and come home with some pan fish or a bass. This time I was invited along by this old guy named Eric who taught me how to use bullet weights and power bait. We went to a stocked pond and caught fish who had most likely only been there a few days. My purist self was denying the title of calling this fishing but it is actually more sustainable than catching wild fish and almost more fun! Figuring out how to gut them was tricky but once you know it, a couple precise cuts, one knowing pinch, and pull and you’ve got a clean fish. . . . . #fish #fishing #oregon #trout #catch #catchoftheday #freshwater (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaBgLFlrtbI/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

My very first rail road knife! Featuring a unique bottle opener at the bottom. Believe it or not there was no added material to this knife. I managed to draw it out a ridiculous amount. . . . Biggest lesson is once again designing my knives so they incorporate some new kind of handle material to cushion blows. . . . #smith #blacksmith #blacksmithing #oaksbottomforge #hammertime #smith #craft #crafty #art #knife #metal #sculpture #creative #handmade #handforged #Portland #Oregon #curious #forge #forged (at Oaks Bottom Forge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ5LGeavQvE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

HAIRCUT! . . . . #snip #haircut #stylist #wildin #stylin #barber #cut #hair #locks #change #newme (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ3HnIKLSCC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[velocityofcuriosity]

[velocityofcuriosity]

Why So Small?

[velocityofcuriosity]

The problem with getting older is you still remember how things used to be.

Paul Newman  (via wordsnquotes)