The Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing. Great place and really friendly people. I wasn't really excited about the class that was happening the week I was there, building a Viking helmet, but the instructor, Dale Morse, let me know I could work on whatever I liked and he'd help as much as possible.
A very open, roomy and bright area for smithing there. Work stations for about 11 people with water-cooled forges of Dale's design.
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An interesting idea for a tong rack I hadn't seen before. |
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So this is what they were going to make. I figured, "What the heck, might as well," and dove in.
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After the two frame bands were complete, dishing out the 4 separate sections of steel for riveting were done. After that, we could add any sort of embellishment we wanted.
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Snake and noseguard enough for me...
During my free time, while the other two gents were catching up, I worked on a few twists.
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Then I found out that Fred Crist had a shop there, right next to where I was forging! OK, so who's Fred Crist? I asked. Dale Morse took me down and introduced me to the Foreman of the Yellen Blacksmith shop for 10-15 years! Awesome. We talked awhile and I snapped a few pics of his workspace and art...
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I had so much fun at the VIB, and Mr. Morse such a knowledgeable and willing teacher, I decided to accept his offer of staying for an additional day and doing a little forging at his shop.
