Phoenix Hat Company

[DOGMAN]

My apologies, in advance, for this little bit of rambling that has nothing to do with hats. It all started with Dogman's question about the things I don't do. Which, of course, got me thinking about the things I haven't done, but want to do. Which, in turn, got me thinking about blacksmithing. Which, inevitably, had me asking myself, "what are you waiting for?". Now I have this Peter Wright 126 pound anvil (made in England sometime between 1860 and 1890) sitting in my kitchen along with all the parts I need to build my own gas forge. And so, slowly but surely, the Phoenix Forge will be born. The Fedora Lounge truly is populated by enablers of the very best kind. Thanks a lot Dog.
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What did I do now......Can't wait to see what you create.

 

[humanshoes]

What did I do now......Can't wait to see what you create.

Partial definition of catalyst: a person or thing that precipitates an event.
That would be you Dog.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Which, in turn, got me thinking about blacksmithing.

I got into blacksmithing once but after I had made 2 sets of fireplace tools, 3 sets of BBQ tools including pigtails, & a pipe tamper I gave it up.

 

[humanshoes]

I got into blacksmithing once but after I had made 2 sets of fireplace tools, 3 sets of BBQ tools including pigtails, & a pipe tamper I gave it up.

Don't know how I'll do with it Jack. It'll come off the bucket list, one way or the other. Curious to know why you gave it up.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Don't know how I'll do with it Jack. It'll come off the bucket list, one way or the other. Curious to know why you gave it up.

I really wanted to develop my skill level to get into knife making, but those guys all use gas forges & trip hammers. I never wanted to get into ornamental iron work. I really couldn't think of anything I could design & make other than what I mentioned. I still have lots of mild carbon & high carbon steels in my shop that I brought home over the yrs.

 

[humanshoes]

I really wanted to develop my skill level to get into knife making, but those guys all use gas forges & trip hammers. I never wanted to get into ornamental iron work. I really couldn't think of anything I could design & make other than what I mentioned. I still have lots of mild carbon & high carbon steels in my shop that I brought home over the yrs.

I don't have the room or the inclination to have the big machinery. As with my hat making, I prefer to do most things by hand. Hey, next time you see all that beautiful steel lying around your shop, think about the Phoenix Hat Company barter program. I'll be starting with mostly 1084 and 1095 steel I think.

 

[belfastboy]

I don't have the room or the inclination to have the big machinery. As with my hat making, I prefer to do most things by hand. Hey, next time you see all that beautiful steel lying around your shop, think about the Phoenix Hat Company barter program. I'll be starting with mostly 1084 and 1095 steel I think.

You could have the best shod horse in the hollar some day!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I don't have the room or the inclination to have the big machinery. As with my hat making, I prefer to do most things by hand. Hey, next time you see all that beautiful steel lying around your shop, think about the Phoenix Hat Company barter program. I'll be starting with mostly 1084 and 1095 steel I think.

I have quite a bit of high carbon 1095 spring steel I was going to make knives out of.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My apologies, in advance, for this little bit of rambling that has nothing to do with hats. It all started with Dogman's question about the things I don't do. Which, of course, got me thinking about the things I haven't done, but want to do. Which, in turn, got me thinking about blacksmithing. Which, inevitably, had me asking myself, "what are you waiting for?". Now I have this Peter Wright 126 pound anvil (made in England sometime between 1860 and 1890) sitting in my kitchen along with all the parts I need to build my own gas forge. And so, slowly but surely, the Phoenix Forge will be born. The Fedora Lounge truly is populated by enablers of the very best kind. Thanks a lot Dog.
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My first thought was Winchester’s felts must really be going downhill if they have to be beaten into shape. My second thought was “just what Rick needs, another iron in the fire.” (pun intended).


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[Rmccamey]

A man after my own heart, about to retire and I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up!

My apologies, in advance, for this little bit of rambling that has nothing to do with hats. It all started with Dogman's question about the things I don't do. Which, of course, got me thinking about the things I haven't done, but want to do. Which, in turn, got me thinking about blacksmithing. Which, inevitably, had me asking myself, "what are you waiting for?". Now I have this Peter Wright 126 pound anvil (made in England sometime between 1860 and 1890) sitting in my kitchen along with all the parts I need to build my own gas forge. And so, slowly but surely, the Phoenix Forge will be born. The Fedora Lounge truly is populated by enablers of the very best kind. Thanks a lot Dog.
View attachment 193461

 

[humanshoes]

My first thought was Winchester’s felts must really be going downhill if they have to be beaten into shape. My second thought was “just what Rick needs, another iron in the fire.” (pun intended).


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Great pun Brent. Also the same thing most of my friends have told me. Too many irons in the fire. I've told them I have a simple solution. Build a bigger fire.

 

[humanshoes]

You could have the best shod horse in the hollar some day!

Funny you should say that bb. It so happens I live in a historic neighborhood in Knoxville called Happy Holler. I don't have a horse though. If I did I'd be learning how to make saddles.

 

[humanshoes]

A man after my own heart, about to retire and I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up!

You know I'm right there with you Randy. I think we all regress eventually anyway. I just won't have as far to go.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I'll be starting with mostly 1084 and 1095 steel I think.

OT Rick, so I'll end with this.

I was trying to make replicas of old time carbon steel knives. Here are a couple I hand forged out of 1095 spring steel. I also made a couple of knives with partial serrated edges from the blade of an old handsaw.

The bigger knife has a notch & one sided edge ground up the back.

I wanted to make a Damascus steel old time sheath knife but that's when you really need a trip hammer.

 

[Frunobulax]

My apologies, in advance, for this little bit of rambling that has nothing to do with hats. It all started with Dogman's question about the things I don't do. Which, of course, got me thinking about the things I haven't done, but want to do. Which, in turn, got me thinking about blacksmithing. Which, inevitably, had me asking myself, "what are you waiting for?". Now I have this Peter Wright 126 pound anvil (made in England sometime between 1860 and 1890) sitting in my kitchen along with all the parts I need to build my own gas forge. And so, slowly but surely, the Phoenix Forge will be born. The Fedora Lounge truly is populated by enablers of the very best kind. Thanks a lot Dog.
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And I was always of the impression ACME made the best ones.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

And I was always of the impression ACME made the best ones.

Meep, meep!


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[humanshoes]

And I was always of the impression ACME made the best ones.

When fact meets fiction...

 

[frussell]

OT Rick, so I'll end with this.

I was trying to make replicas of old time carbon steel knives. Here are a couple I hand forged out of 1095 spring steel. I also made a couple of knives with partial serrated edges from the blade of an old handsaw.

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The bigger knife has a notch & one sided edge ground up the back.
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I wanted to make a Damascus steel old time sheath knife but that's when you really need a trip hammer.

These are awesome. I have part of my great grandfather’s buffalo skinning kit (my avatar photo is him from that era), including a few knives he supposedly made from old files and tools. They are very similar to what you posted, but with antler handles. I envy your ability to create something that useful.

 

[humanshoes]

The "Santiago" hat arrived safely in Chile and the customer set about turning it into a hat that is uniquely his own. I love to see these expressions of individuality and fearless hat bashing.

 

[Rmccamey]

That is very unique and, as you say, very much individual. Very nice!

The "Santiago" hat arrived safely in Chile and the customer set about turning it into a hat that is uniquely his own. I love to see these expressions of individuality and fearless hat bashing.
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