[TheForge] Demo suggestions

[Vincent Nakovics]

I agree with Bob Willman -
     I/we used to try to concentrate on 4 things for demos: Leaves, Nails, Crosses and Roses (Stick, Architectural, Russian, whatever you want to call them) sans leaves . All four seem to fascinate the crowds. You can do all of them on the anvil in a reasonable amount of time before the spectator(s) wander off. Frederic Crosses can be pre-cut or on the hardie or with chisel. It doesn't seem to matter to the average spectator, but I/we used to do them both ways. 
It did, to me at least, seem that most of my time was spent talking even with two or three other guys present we all seemed to be engaged primarily talking. After a while of course you get good enough to do the simpler tasks while talking and increases the production during the demo. You will always get a request to do something that you didn't bring the right something for but most times you can work around that. 
Anyway that is how we used to try to do our (ABGT) demos. 
There are demos that you know you will do other stuff and will have to pack up accordingly.
We used to set up a show and tell table and sometimes a table with items for barter or trade and they also serve as a nice barrier for the crowd. It also keeps them around a little longer. You will have to keep an eye on it as not everyone is as honest as Blacksmiths. :)

One thing I didn't see on the list was a small quench tank. Though that might be academic 

Good luck with your demos
Vince Nakovics