Now, this was hardcore. On Sunday I had two demos: First in the Bethaus smithy in Witten, and then it was our traditional Sunday hammer-in at the Industriemuseum Ennepetal, some 20 km away. I still do not own a car:-) and was a wreck from riding and forging on Satrurday, which amounted to 14 hours of hard work and riding with a 35 kg rucksack. But I had to, and it does not hurt any that I love what I do. I could obviously live an easier life, like many others do, but what for? I am not others, I am me myself in person, even if I am not sure sometimes*ggg*. So I got my act together, braced myself, and did it. I am a bit proud of that, as you might have noticed. I first rode to Witten in the early morning, and noticed that I was singing loudly, while I rode along the bike lane. At the Bethaus, Jochen and Sylvia welcomed me warmly with sweet and delicious cake, croissant and really good-and appreciated-strong, black coffee and many kind words. I lit the forge, did the demo and some bonus forging with kids. Viktor dropped by, and we had a bit of a talk. then I cleaned up, packed my things and made for the road to Ennepetal. I rode over the hill to Gevelsberg and then to the smithy, where Willi, Rolf and Daniel had already fired up.
Rolf had this ´hawk already mounted with an ash handle, and two others still at large:-).
Willi´s ´hawks and hatchets again.
Rolf´s and Willi´s products on display.
Daniel likes BIG, and always uses the BIGGEST tool available to pound the BIGGEST chunk of steel he can find.:-)Gets a bit unnerving sometimes, and we had to have a bit of an argument over that. But he is a very ambitious apprentice and has many great ideas. He also mounted a new vise that day and did some great jobs on his current projects.
Die-casting with kids.
This is a tractor I liked best:-).. had to think of my fav sunflower, but then I do this most of the time these days...*ggg*
Now THAT are cars:-).
....
... nice colour:-)...
Funny...*ggg*
....
....
...racy, eh?:-)
Rolf is currently hitched on a hatchet habit*g. he brought along six heads of our fav production bushcraft hatchet, the Krenzer Mini. We had a lot of fun, some mad jokes, and....
....from out of nowhere came this violently green lime. Seems to have gotten completely lost:-). Rolf gave it to me... and I do not know if it´s a Koan or just a mad joke as usual*ggg*.
I hammered out a better version of a torques and another leaf-handle blade out of spring steel.
Did some torsional work on that handle...
The leaf. messed up a tiny bit chiselling.
This is a moonforging anvil Rolf gave to me. Thanks, bro, it´s very appreciated. Meet you on that mountaintop!
Willi tutoring Rolf on quenching the hatchets. That´s the great thing on forging with those friendly people: We all know something, and keep learning from each other, and inspiring each other. I daresay I would not be the smith I am, if it were not for these madmen:-).
Diamond sharpening rod Willi gave to me. I do not know for what I deserve that, you madman, but it is thoroughly appreciated, also!
And, last but not least, the kitchen knife Daniel made for melons, bacon and neighbours*g*. It´s his first big knife design, and he did a great job on that!
It was dark, when I finally crept home with a pack even more laden than before. I was a wreck... but the weekend was not over yet....:-) and I was soothed and healed all at once by the dream I had that night.:-)
Those are the adventures of Mr. Fimbulmyrk, in bushcraft and blacksmithing, mountainbiking and hiking, reenactment, writing, singing, dancing, stargazing and having a piece of cake and a coffee. Pray have a seat and look around you, but be warned - the forest´s twilight is ferocious at times.
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