Give Hammer Guys Their Dues!

J

John Andrews

Joined
Jan 24, 2003
Messages
2,767
While I was working in a hogkill packing house 1976-1984) a farmer I knew asked if I knew anyone that could straighten a steel shaft for him. I told him of a pal blacksmith in the area that might help. I received the 5'long 2" dia. shaft and gave it to Ed Livingston. Ed told me he would heat it up and bang it around a bit. A couple of days later Ed gave it back to me and said he thought it was "pretty close." And he only charged the guy $5. After I returned the shaft to the farmer, the farmer told me he took it home and rolled it around on a flat surface. The shaft was perfect! The farmer told me the shaft was a high $ item. Modest Ed save him a bunch of money. It's unfortunate more people don't know how much you guys know and how hard you work over that fire. My nickel's worth, anyhow.
 
I've been doing some hammering lately and Boy-Howdy, I can attest to the hard work that the "heat and beat" method involves. It sure is a blast though. The heat, the smell, and just the way it makes you feel are all worth it. If I could aford to walk away from my job, I would do it in a heartbeat. My dream is to open an old timey store up in the Georgia mountains. Me banging steel and Deb doing the vast array of art that she does and just live a good life. I wish I could find a few fellow knife makers and blacksmiths that would like to pool our assets and open up something like that ......tommorrow.:D

Mark
 
I have been planning my retirement that way for years, and at 34 I figure I can aquire what I need to do just that one day.

I am about to buy a house in town. As soon as that closes I am going on the lookout for my dream place. A 20 acre plot for my house, a couple of steers and pigs, my smithy and a garden for the wife. I can't forget my motorcycle shop!

If I can beat hot steel all day, eat regular, and not have to worry about not being able to pay the bills, then I will have succeeded in my goal. I love the work, and the things I have learned to do from it. It would be nice to be able to live off my work at some point, but I have a long way to go yet.
 
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