I was down in TX visiting a friend to help him get his Japanese style spring hammer(with a tire drive) tuned and stuff, and just as we got it going really good the el cheapo motors exploded a capcitor! Oh no! I had posted a photo of the TX sunrise on my facebook from my phone that morning, and James asked on it "where in TX?" it turns out only a couple hours away so we decided on an impromptu visit. James was cutting hay all morning but got my call and said sure come one by. Kind of on the fly so he did not have a chance to get anything setup to hit hot steel but the nickel tour was totally awesome! James now brings in quite a few different size hammers, from the 22 to 33, 55, 88,120, and 165. The 120 looks awesome, smaller footprint then the smaller size saymak. James was getting a rare 2 piece 165 ready to go to a customer, it is quite an impressive hammer! James and Kate his girlfriend are most gracious hosts, and got to meet James' father Mr Johnson who is a very nice guy. Here's photos:
IN stock hammers ready for tuning and testing.
A BRAND spanking new 165 that was just stunningly gorgeous!~ You can tell by the smile on my face that I wanted this hammer badly.
controls and flywheel, the top of the flywheel was at mid-gut height
Dies, HUGE
The 165 two piece frame and anvil
Control side of the 2 piece 165
My 33 and James 33 sure looked small next to his 88, and the 2 165s, here is a ram James had from a 33, adorable!!! Check out the rings too, no leather or whatever people thought were there to rot out.
33 Lower guide ring
James said he might have some part time work for me as an anvil, had to decline, my head is too hard it might chip
88 dies James uses in different combinations for different techniques, very cool concepts!
A really cool ribbon piece
the Man himself, I told him not to smile because blacksmiths never smile in photos but he's just too easygoing of a guy
I look forward to visiting again with a little more planning, so I can try out the other sizes especially the 165!!! It was awesome to finally meet You man! Here's a shot of the beautiful TX sunset over a freshly cut hayfield just outside James' shop door
IN stock hammers ready for tuning and testing.
A BRAND spanking new 165 that was just stunningly gorgeous!~ You can tell by the smile on my face that I wanted this hammer badly.
controls and flywheel, the top of the flywheel was at mid-gut height
Dies, HUGE
The 165 two piece frame and anvil
Control side of the 2 piece 165
My 33 and James 33 sure looked small next to his 88, and the 2 165s, here is a ram James had from a 33, adorable!!! Check out the rings too, no leather or whatever people thought were there to rot out.
33 Lower guide ring
James said he might have some part time work for me as an anvil, had to decline, my head is too hard it might chip
88 dies James uses in different combinations for different techniques, very cool concepts!
A really cool ribbon piece
the Man himself, I told him not to smile because blacksmiths never smile in photos but he's just too easygoing of a guy
I look forward to visiting again with a little more planning, so I can try out the other sizes especially the 165!!! It was awesome to finally meet You man! Here's a shot of the beautiful TX sunset over a freshly cut hayfield just outside James' shop door
