Coal Creek Forge Fun

[Blaid]

Some time spent with a Master

My son, who turned 11 a couple of days ago, has been expressing interest in blacksmithing for the last year or so. So much so that he has been building fires in the back yard and pushing air into it with an old electric leaf blower. Using a 3 lb. mini sledge and an old piece of I beam, he will beat on pieces of re-bar or scrap pipe for hours on end. So, for his birthday, I arranged a meeting with Stephen Liley of Coal Creek Forge. Mr. Liley had reached out to me a few months ago when he saw we were in the same neck of the woods.





We got up and had an early breakfast on Saturday then drove for about an hour, arriving just before 9:00 a.m. to find our silver-haired and whiskery host hanging out in the front yard near his workshop enjoying the beautiful May morning. After introductions, we went into the shop and saw were the magic was made. Definitely not a shiny spotless showplace, Coal Creek Forge looked like something out of Lord of the Rings. Dimly lit except for the fire in the forge, the corners were dark and every surface was cluttered with tools and tomahawk bits (and probably some Elven dust).





It was obvious that Steve knew exactly where everything was, however, because it seemed like he was never more than one step away from whatever he needed next.

 

[Blaid]

The first order of business for every new blacksmith is to learn to make the tools of his trade. And so my son Dan watched (and helped) as a pair of railroad spikes were transformed into work tongs. For homework, Daniel will have to finish the ends into whatever shape he would like. There were many such pairs of tongs scattered about the shop…round holders, square, flat…a set of tongs for every application. Also, many specially made hammers that Steve had crafted for different applications for his artistry. There was even a handmade anvil with a stepped horn.







The next order of business was making a tomahawk. For his “Jack Hawks” Stephen Liley starts with a jackhammer bit and cuts it to the appropriate size. Next the eye is punched through and then the tomahawk “starter” is set aside to incubate until its birthday. After selecting one of these “starters” from a huge pile of similar blanks Steve put it into his propane forge – heating it until it was red hot. Then it was hammer, heat, etc. until ready for quenching. After his differential heat treatment he then threw the hawk head on the ground to cool. My son asked Steve if he knew how to throw tomahawks as well as make them. That caused a smile and twinkle in the eye and an armload of tomahawks appearing from nowhere. “Let’s go see.” After sticking every tomahawk in the stump we were convinced. Steve then told me that no hawk leaves his shop without being tested with a throw or two to make sure it felt right.

 

[Blaid]

The morning was full of lessons. How to hold a hammer, how to shape, using a drift, how to clean up and put an edge on, how to heat treat (it’s a secret), how to throw, removing rust, types of steel and how they look when on the grinder, and more. More than an aspiring 11 year old blacksmith could remember. More than a 53 year old dad could remember. Then we saw some of the masterpieces including an amazing and very special Pipe Hawk with inlaid pewter. There was lots of talk about jobs and work and blades and kids and grandkids and general philosophy of life. And there was a lot of tomahawk throwing. Then back into the shop to make a patch knife out of a drill bit and a plant stand for mom. And, more lessons!




After several hours (it seemed like minutes) it was time to say goodbye. Let me just say if you have a Stephen Liley creation you are lucky. If you ever get to spend time with the man and watch him work you are twice lucky. I feel like we won the lottery on Saturday because we made a new friend and my son calls Mr. Liley his teacher. Thank you Steve!

 

[A Visitor]

Doesn't get any better than that.

 

[Simple Jumper]

Very cool! I'm sure it will leave a lasting impression on your son.

 

[gruntmedik]

That is too cool!

 

[Chris John]

Good to see the legend is still alive Blaid was wondering ,
One great day for your son and you to remember .
Chris
.

 

[Deoje]

That looks like a great day.

 

[Dusty One]

What a Great experience and very nice of Steve !

 

[jimmo]

Thank you for posting this.
There may hope that a Journeyman's knowledge will be passed on to a eager apprentice.

 

[Raining]

What an awesome birthday gift! Your son will remember this for the rest of his life!