[TheForge] What is everyone working on?

[Bruce]

Terry,

Good to hear from you.  I saw your emails when you first sent them but I've
been up to my ears here and was too tired to reply in the evenings.

In the past two weeks, NJBA has held three events:

   1. A demonstration by Jonathan Nedbor at East Jersey Old Town, on the
   7th,
   2. A knifemaking demonstration by Mark Morrow, our friendly (?) local
   swordsmith on the 14th, and
   3. Our annual public demonstration at Walnford Mill on the 15th.

I was involved in, but not in charge of, each, so was a bit run ragged,
especially since it rained all day on the 7th and two days later I felt so
fatigued it was as if I were sick -- but without other symptoms (and
testing negative for COVID).  Fortunately, the fatigue lasted only 1-2 days.

I'm not sure how I've managed it, but both I and my girlfriend have avoided
COVID completely, so far.  (Probably because we're a couple of antisocial
misanthropes.)  One friend had a mild case, but still hasn't completely
recovered her sense of smell after.

I've been NJBA Newsletter editor for the past few years, after Larry Brown
was blindsided by family and health issues, but now I've given that up too,
as it was getting to be too much for me to deal with quarterly.  We have no
idea what will come next for the Newsletter, because nobody has stepped up
to take on the editorship. (Suggestions would be welcome.)

Unfortunately, our chairman resigned, and I'm picking up the slack on that
for one quarter at least.  Maybe someone else will handle it after that.

Otherwise, things are going well, but I, and my good friends, are aging and
its starting to show:  Slowing down; taking more meds than ever;
unexplained fatigue from time to time.  My father always told me not to get
old, but never gave me a good alternative.

I'm behind on planting my garden.  I have set out squash and tomatoes.  I
did some tilling on the side of the house.  I have chard, okra and
sunflower seedlings to put out, and want to plant beans and carrots from
seed, but need to prepare the beds.

Over the last few months I've acquired and have been practicing knifemaking
from Paul White's book, *Forged: Making a Knife with Traditional Blacksmith
Skills.  *I make no pretense to being a knifemaker, but White's book
appeals because it's about a traditional utility knife, one used for eating
and as a belt tool, not some fancy pants, elaborate blade (though those can
be beautiful) or a weird murder weapon.

A few years ago (at the Gichner meet?) I picked up Verhoeven's book,
*Metallurgy
of Steel for Bladesmiths & Ohers who Heat Treat and Forge Steel.  *It seems
to be an excellent book, but is so jam packed with information that I still
haven't made it through the book even once, though I've had a few goes at
it already.  Nonetheless, it has increased my understanding of steel
immensely, and I recommend it for that.

Bruce
NJ


On Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:41 PM terry l. ridder <terrylr at blauedonau.com>
wrote:

> Hello
>
> Given the last two years I am interested in knowing what others are
> working on.
>
> I am fixing the propane lines on my 4 burner ron-reil forge.
> Speaking of Ron, has anyone heard from him or of him?
>
> need to refill the oxygen, acetylene, and argon cylinders.
>
> need to do sheetmetal work and repair on the truck.
>
> just wanting to reconnect with everyone.
>
>
>
> --
> terry l. ridder ><>
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