[TheForge] Forging blackberries?

[A. Vida]

Shannell Sugrue wrote:
> 
> A customer want some blackberries like these
> http://www.homepages.ihug.com.au/~sjs/berries.jpg
> in a railing, the picture is taken from page 88 of the  book "the
> contemorary blacksmith" by Dona Meilach, Im sure many of you will know it, i
> the nota says it was made with a clam shell die. Im looking for tips on
> making these, I can do balls with a clapper die but I can only think of how
> to make these blackcurrents in 2 halves and mabey join them together ie: by
> sinking a half blackcurrent depression into a block of steel and then
> hitting a hot blank into that with a flat top die on the P.hammer. even then
> I think the part of the berry closest to the top of the depression would
> have little detail because it isnt being hit into the die, more being
> squeezed sideways into it, and thats only if the blank is the right size. I
> cant see any way you could rotate a ball in a "clamshell" die to get an even
> effect. Anyone done these before???

	First,  you first say blackberries, and then refer to blackcurrants.
	They are two very different looking berries.  WHich is it?  Black
	berries look like raspberries, currants are similar to cherries only
	much smaller.

	If blackberries, how about a three piece die?  The two bottom halves
	swage the basic shape from the end of the berry to about 2/3 or 3/4
	of the way to the stem end of the berry.  You then lock those dies
	together, set them on their edge so that the unfinished end faces
	up.  The third die then swings into position and a couple of well
	placed blows finishes the stem-end of the berry including the
	depression where the stem attaches.  You can even leave the beginnings
	of the stem for later reworking.  At that point the berry itself is
	done and you can add leaves and stems.  This is just one way to do it.
	If you try it, be aware that the dies have to be accurately build so
	everything aligns well, requiring the fewest number of blows, which is
	in turn desireable because the heat will be transferred away from the
	work rapidly.  You would have to place it in the lower dies, smack it
	two or three times, flip up, place the third die, two or three whacks,
	and that's all folks.

	I can see doing currants the same way.  The hardest part for each
	is getting a good dimple at the stem-end, something the third die
	should do nicely.