Erik Mendel
Member
Hi all, my name is Erik Mendel. I started blacksmithing 14 years ago. Their was a few different people in and out of the forge that helped me with the team striking to build most of the tools we needed to get our forge going. After we finished the hammers, tongs and fullers we put them to use trying to make knives. We learned what we didn't like about the tools and rebuild most of them. Much quicker this time. We then got into forge welding which made forge improvements necessary to become successful. After 5 forges of learning we arrived at a diy blown ribbon burner and never looked back. Major thanks to Jhon emmerling for sharing those instructions with the world. Our experience and successful welds began to grow and we continue to the day team striking each sanmai or simple damascus knife we make. It's interesting to look at the different action that is seen in a damascus knife made by a striker and top tools. Our forge is located in a small town called smithers in Northern British Columbia. It is know for its steelhead fishing and skiing. I drive trains for a living and when I'm not forging things I'm jetboating, fishing or hunting.
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator:
