Filed under: January 2019, Uncategorized | Tags: anvil, forge, forging, homemade ornaments, Knife making, New Year, toy box
January 1, 2019
As last year came to a close, I spent quite a bit of time in the forge shop. I made gifts for many folks. I worked outside of my comfort zone, but had a great time honing my skills.
Elk handle, a farrier’s rasp and some brass pipe allowed me to make this rustic exhibition Bowie knife. A few old railroad spikes were turned into container gardening tools.
I even forged all the pieces to make a small “Hit and Miss” engine toy. A 3/4 block of steel, a piece of pipe, a rivet, a few washers, a block from the toy box and lots of imagination. It brightened the day of a long time collector and made my heart smile.
The flywheels were taken off a broken toy tractor. It was a fun project.
I made hooks and hangers of several types. I made a few tools to help me make the things shown above. This new hobby for me is very relaxing. It pushes my mind and promotes creativity. My hands are happy near the forge and anvil. My body enjoys the warmth on wet, cold winter days.
Happy New Year everyone. I hope your year is filled with the people and things that make you happy.
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RicelandMeadows 
Hi Ralph,
Comment by Mike Solin March 28, 2019 @ 7:02 pmI enjoyed reading your article on the pickaroon. I work in the woods in Northern Wisconsin and rely on a pickaroon when skidding. There is one style that is extremely useful however. I purchased one that has an axe head on the opposite end of the pick. It is very useful when a limb needs to be cut from a stick of pulpwood. I noticed you are a “smithy” so you are probably very capable of producing a pickaroon with an axe head.
Mike
Thank you Mike for your nice comment.
Comment by ricelandmeadows March 30, 2019 @ 11:52 amI like your idea. The pickaroon in the article I made from a single bit axe. I do have a double bit in my bucket of “treasure” I can forge a pickaroon on one side and leave the axe head on the other. I will give this a try and post pictures here on my BLOG. I may even be able to get a little space in an upcoming Rural Heritage to show this “new to me” tool.
Thanks again for taking the time to write. Be safe out there in the woods!