Mark Gilsdorf artist-blacksmith
Tools
What makes blacksmiths unique amongst craftspeople is their ability to forge the tools they need to make their artwork. At right are some examples of tools I have forged.
4 lb. rounding hammer and hot cut hardy tool, forged under the direction of Brian Brazeal. Photo by Mark Gilsdorf.
4 lb. rounding hammer, top punches and hot cut, used for forging hammers. Forged under the direction of Brian Brazeal. Photo by Karen Malone.
Monkey tools, hot punches and drifts, forged under the direction of Brian Brazeal. Photo by Karen Malone.
Monkey tool, hardy cupping tool, hot cut hardy tools, hammer eye drifts. Forged under the direction of Brian Brazeal. Photo by Karen Malone.
Wolf-jaw tongs and a hammer pick-up tong. Forged under the direction of Brian Brazeal. Photo by Karen Malone.
Gaylord the Rooster inspects the new tools. Photo by Karen Malone.
Seven days of forging with master blacksmith Brian Brazeal. Photo by Karen Malone.
"Woop" tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
"Woop" tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
"Woop" tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
"Woop" tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
"Woop" tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
Coal forge rake, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Forged on an air hammer from an 8" long piece of 1" square stock. Final length approx. 24". Photo by Mike Kelch.
Coal forge rake, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Forged on an air hammer from an 8" long piece of 1" square stock. Final length approx. 24". Photo by Mike Kelch.
Coal forge rake, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Forged on an air hammer from an 8" long piece of 1" square stock. Final length approx. 24". Photo by Mike Kelch.
Coal forge rake, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Forged on an air hammer from an 8" long piece of 1" square stock. Final length approx. 24". Photo by Mike Kelch.
Scrolling tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
Scrolling tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
Scrolling tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
Scrolling tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.
Scrolling tongs, forged under the direction of Uri Hofi, at the Center for Metal Arts. Photo by Mike Kelch.