Hand forged tools made from locally sourced reclaimed materials
Right up until today, I made broadforks. I stopped because I’ve had too many instances (four out of dozens of forks made over the years) where tines snapped when they shouldn’t have. It’s one of the risks that comes with … Read More
What is Yaki-ire Yaki-ire, or clay tempering, is a style of steel hardening. It isolates the hardening to the places the bladesmith wants hard (such as the edge), while keeping the rest of the piece tough (the body and spine). … Read More
Hammer, anvil, forge and steel Coercing metal into a new deal Fire hot and coals alight Turning metal burning bright Pounding, shaping, heat and repeat Until new form and strength come neat Once the shape appears to view Working on … Read More
Sister Blades Working on some new tool designs, I took an old lawn mower blade and recycled it to use as stock for a kusakezuri (Japanese hand hoe) and a hori hori. In my continuing study of Japanese agricultural tools … Read More
Part One can be found here: http://reforgedironworks.com/2018/03/28/making-a-hori-hori-part-1/ In this video I show the steps I take to finish the forged and tempered hori hori. It’s broken down into four essential steps: Grind bevels to final shape – using files and/or a … Read More
Lorinda demonstrates how the kama is an ideal tool for selective harvesting and cutting of green plants and herbs. Here she is specifically harvesting leaves and flower buds from a comfrey patch. The kama can be used for many other … Read More
It’s harvesting time once again, and here we’re showing you how we get our garlic out of the ground. The broadfork is an indispensable tool for harvesting because it 1) digs up the plant we want and 2) loosens and … Read More
This spring my wife and I recorded us preparing a garden bed for planting using three tools that I make: the broadfork, the russian hoe and the hori hori. Each tool has specific functions that complement one another, culminating in … Read More
Come have a look at the space I use to make my tools and ironwork. It’s humble but it’s worked great for me for almost three years now.
I’ve just uploaded another Youtube video that highlights the processes that go into the trowels I make. Materials are reclaimed saw blades, mild steel bar, caragana (or other hardwood that I’ve found nearby) and linseed oil as a finish. These … Read More