Well the day is drawing closer and I did promise more info so…
May 2010 All-Hands (190)Here is the meeting flier and registration form. It contains details on the meet, info about Kim Thomas, and a registration form. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Hi all,
Just thought I would add a bit of info about the proposed spoon project. For those who haven’t seen the newsletter, as a way to increase cross state communication and participation I proposed a small project competition.
“… to facilitate some friendly regional competitions. The first one I am proposing will be a spoon. All members are encouraged to provide an entry. You can be as elaborate or simple as you would like the only requirement is that you begin with a piece of material roughly ¼” by 8”. Further details will be available on the website along with a gallery for posting your entries and voting.” (from the newsletter)
Since we have had a couple request for further details I offer the following. My original intent was to allow members to use any stock they had on hand but that left it too wide open so I picked a thickness and a length, 1/4″ x 8″. You can use any width you would like but probably 1/4″ to 1″ would be best just depends on how large a spoon you would like to make and how detailed or fun.
First spoon, after forging and after started filing
I did try my hand at a spoon at our past meeting but I didn’t have any 1/4″ stock so I used a piece of 3/8″ square. Since it was a bit bigger I stretched it to give me a nice curvy handle. This is not my entry, I’ll do one within the guidelines but I wanted to give it a try and as a beginning smith it was fun to explore all the challenges such a seemingly simple project presented, of course as a newer smith every project seems fraught with fun and interesting … learning experiences.
Anyway, this is my first attempt at a spoon made of something besides a horseshoe nail. The left photos are after forging and the right shows it after I started filing to give it a pretty finish and hide some mistakes. It isn’t quite what was in my head when I started but it was enjoyable to play with.
Please jump on the forum to let me know if you’ve tried one or any other thoughts on it!
Thanks!
Kim Thomas
This May 15th and 16th we will be hosting Kim Thomas at our all-hands meeting in Dave DeSantis’ Shop.
From Mr. Thomas’ web page:
…has been forging ironwork since 1984. He was chosen for Early American Life Magazine’s “Directory of Traditional Craftsmen” in 1995, 1997, 2005 and 2007. He demonstrated several years at the Cuyahoga Valley Folk Festival in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Kim uses only traditional tools and techniques to make period lighting and hearth tools of iron for the discerning re-enactor and renovator.
More information and a brochure will be available soon so please check back.
