[TheForge] Newbie

[Jerry Frost]

Welcome aboard new guys, glad to have you! happily you both live where 
blacksmithing tools are fairly common and reasonably prices. Be patient and 
you'll get more for your money.

So, Mark, what kind of forge are you thinking of? Coal forges will be around 
with the other smithing tools so keep your eyes open. If you want a gas 
forge I'll be happy to help, I'm a gas forge kind of guy, coal is hard to 
come by in this part of Alaska even though a coal bearing mountain range is 
visible from the house.

Before you start building things it's a good idea to think about what you 
want to forge. Most folk do not need a large forge, you can only work a few 
inches of iron/steel at a time so heating a foot or so isn't helpful. Then 
again if you have a hankering to make swords you'll need something to heat 
treat in, yes? Build a small one to use till you learn the craft well enough 
to start making knives and once you get good at that consider 
building/buying a larger forge.

Jer