[TheForge] Hammers Blow, etc.

[C&J Allcorn]

Thoughts on The Hammers Blow, ABANA, other comments, etc.
I don't comment too often but this thread got my fingers warmed up.

Like lots of you I'm a hobby smith, metalworker, etc. and am retired 
from another life.I like hand forging and occasionally get a commission 
for a staircase, door grille or who knows what.I'd like to do more works 
for big bucks but we've been blessed so I'm not complaining.

I read the Hammers Blow, Anvil's Ring and like many of you find that it 
doesn't always meet my needs.Frankly, most of the art and sculpture 
presented isn't to my liking.Yet, I recognize that these works are 
someone else's dream, accept it as such and turn the page.I look for 
those articles that help me.Since I'm not the editor, I don't control 
what goes in those magazines and I don't bi*ch when I don't like 
something but I am disappointed when there's nothing there for me.

I've watched in amazement as renowned blacksmiths like Mark Aspery, Bob 
Patrick, Clay Spencer, et. al. create beautiful and intricate works of 
art.I regret I didn't know Tom Clark better and never met F. Whitaker.  
I think I'd like to study under Hoffi and someday would like to take a 
class at the Campbell Folk School.

When I started my journey into black metal, I thought King Metal was 
wonderful.Now I think differently.It and the others like it do fill a 
void for some.As my skills improve I work to rely more on my hammer and 
anvil and less on purchased elements.I consign the catalog of ready-made 
components to the "Joe the Welder" crowd and agree that if you can 
create your own items you should for obvious reasons.I STRONGLY think 
that purchased items should be disclosed to any client and/or the 
public.To imply anything else is a lie.

But back to fabrication for a moment.We do live in the 21^st century and 
as such we have available to us machines, techniques and technology only 
dreamed of by our ancestors.Those items assist us in our work should we 
choose to use them.For my part, I absolutely love my ironworker, power 
hammers, Hossfeld benders and plethora of electric welders!Not being as 
young or talented as some of you, I appreciate being able to utilize 
those machines to help me create while saving my back and shoulder.

I gotta go put some more wood on the fire, its cold in NE Texas this 
morning!

James Allcorn

Paris, TX