[TheForge] The mind 1st to go

[Jerry Frost]

Tools are a comodity as is a person's time. My first "real" anvil cost me 
almost $10.00/lb and my third $3.00/lb. and I was pretty darned happy to 
find either. If you think the Pac NW is a hard place to find smithing tools 
you aught to try Alaska. Even so a person occasionally runs into a real deal 
even here. When I was on the hunt in a serious way I used to spend about 3/4 
of my vacation time hitting every lead I could find in the lower 48. I 
could've gotten a minimum wage job and bought all new tools with a smaller 
investment. I had a huge smile pasted on my old mug last summer when I found 
a 50lb. Little Giant locally for only $4,000!

All I'm saying is new guys are in the same boat as anyone wanting to break 
into a craft, no matter what it is. Want to paint landscapes? Any idea what 
a Bob Ross, "Joy of Painting" minimum tool list costs? You're doing good to 
find what you'll need for under $40000 not counting lessons of course. I've 
taught a number of young folk the basics and continue to show anyone who 
wants to visit whatever I can. The ONLY free tool any of them have left my 
place with is those they made as part of learning the craft. Richard took a 
cold chisel, a wood gouge, a straight wood chisel, a punch and a drift, all 
part of his tool steel identifying and heat treating instruction. Lindsey on 
the other hand took a really nice sheath knife with her with was her tool 
steel and heat treating lessons. I didn't take a penny from them or anyone 
I've taught though some have helped with chores or chipped in for propane.

I feel honored and priveledged to have had the opportunity to show these 
youngsters the basics of the craft. Richard is a nuke in the Navy right now 
but hunted till he found an affordable deal on a pretty darned nice smithing 
kit, that was bout a 4 year hunt. Lindsey on the other hand found a living 
history site with a blacksmith shop and after talking to the "master" smith, 
showing her work, landed a job as THE master smith herself, the person she 
replaced retired with bad shoulders.

Of all the things I showed these two I think maybe the best thing was the 
spirit of doing it yourself. If it's important enough you'll find a way. I 
can't tell you how it makes me feel when I get a pic or E-mail from a former 
student. On the other hand I talk to LOTS of people of all ages who want to 
do IT in the traditional way, believe someone should offer apprenticeships, 
sell tools and equipment for 19th. cent. prices but pay 21st. cent. prices 
for their first efforts. Even though experience has taught me what to expect 
I still offer my time, shop and tools but not ONE has bothered to show up in 
the last 15 years. Not ONE.

I'm not trying to prolong the thread in particular and didn't miss the 
original joke. I think most of us here have made the same joke more than 
once, I did maybe yesterday or the day before. Frankly, it was the whole 
"fair price" argument that almost got me going. No, even as windy as this 
post is it's nothing compared to when I get going. <grin>

So, don't sweat it Jason, Pete isn't any more likely to take out a contract 
on you for disagreeing with him than he is to leave you anything in his 
will. Hmmmmm. Actually, Pete's, (more likely Phe if it'll get it out of the 
yard) a lot more likely to leave you something (probably unmentionable) in 
his will for a good disagreement than put out a hit on ya.

Anywho, anything worth doing will cost one way or another. Best to you all.
Jer