Tying a Knot in a Bar of Steel- PHF

This is an online class. Stay home, use your tools.

Tying a Knot in a Bar of Steel
Knotty blacksmithing.

The project for this class will be tying an overhand knot in a length of round rod.
It's a simple knot, one of the simplest, but it will serve to demonstrate the principles necessary to tie more complex ones.
A knot can serve as an ornament in a bar in many situations, a figure-eight knot can make a nice handle on a tool that doesn't mind a bit of fanciness, and especially on your forge-poker and shovel for when you're out doing demos. If your demo tools don't brag for you... make better ones.

We will be using Zoom as the group-meeting app.
Clicking the link above will tell you what you need to make it go on your device.
The Zoom meeting URL will be emailed out at least an hour before class and the meeting will be started 15 minutes before official class start so we can check the tech and maybe visit each other's smithies.
People on the standby list will have the option of auditing the class (see the fees below) but will be asked to turn off their cameras and microphones until the end of class (emergencies excepted).

The student must have: (please read this carefully)

Their own blacksmithing set up:

A forge, lit and running by the beginning of class, type is unimportant (being able to back-down a gas forge while we're talking would likely be good)
An anvil-like object
A hammer, 1 to 2 pound, no larger.
A smaller hammer and/or a softie and a waterlog (a flat wooden hardy tool and a hefty stick for hitting things without leaving marks. Soaked in water.)
Tongs to hold the stock, if your stock is short, another pair also, or a pair of pliers
A vise, solidly mounted. You'll be pulling sideways in it.
A vise-grip-like tool for pulling on the end of your stock is very useful, especially if it's short.
A bending 'U' would be useful but not vital
Eye and ear protection
Ear buds or somesuch that fit under your ear protection so that you can hear me while you're hammering.

A device that will run Zoom, has a camera, a microphone, and a decent 'net connection while in your work area.
The ability to move that device around the work space so I can watch you work from helpful angles. A photographer's tripod and some way to hold your device on it would be marvelous
Enough light. So both of us can see what you're doing
If you're willing to give a brief tour of your set-up before class, that'd be cool.

Materials

At least 12" of 3/8" or thinner round steel, preferably mild. Thinner (1/4") is better. 24" or longer is better.
If it's 18" or more long you won't *need* the stock-sized tongs.

2-ish hours dates&times

Instructor: Carl West
Fees: Participating $50, Auditing - Free, come see how it works.
Maximum 4 students, one per forge

Prerequisite:

Required: A rapid Covid test that day, ideally just before class.

Please wear proper clothing for visiting or working in the forge:
closed toe shoes (preferably leather, preferably high-topped. Sneakers are sufficient, sandals, crocs, pumps, mules... are not), natural fiber clothing, long pants that cover the tops of the shoes.
Click here for more safety information.

Dates and Times:

This class is either:
- not upcoming on our schedule,
- or we've fallen behind in our clerical duties and not entered it in the database.
If you found it on our calendar page, we are planning to offer it on that date.

If you're interested in taking Tying a Knot in a Bar of Steel and it's not on the calendar, please tell us using our Notification-List Page.

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