January 17, 2015
The Efficient Farriers Forging Techniques
and Bladesmithing Forging Demonstration
at
Daniel Riffe’s Forge, Needville, TX
What to expect:
Daniel will start the demonstration by describing the progression of his forging career
from selling ornamental items at farmers markets to forging hammer, tools, and
knives through to deciding to expand his capabilities to include a career as a farrier.
There will also be a discussion of how his shop’s capabilities have progressed as well
as the reasoning behind what equipment and tools were deemed important during
each evolution of his journey as well as the how and why of the location,
construction, and mounting requirements.
In order to make a living, farriers must be adept at quickly assessing a horses
shoeing requirements, determining the stock dimensions required to make the
shoes, and then working quickly, efficiently and precisely when forging the shoes.
Over many hundreds of years, farriers have continually worked at improving upon
their forging techniques and analytical skills. At first blush, and because of the speed
with which they accomplish their task, the farriers’ ability to forge and shape a shoe
may appear to be a singular effort with a very defined goal. And it is; the ultimate
goal being to improve the horses life and the farriers ability to make a living through
pleasing their clients. However, upon closer examination of the farriers efforts you
find that their work may be dissected into many discrete forging elements that all
smith’s may benefit from understanding and applying. Daniel will be demonstrating
and discussing many of the efficient methods applied by the horseshoer.
Daniel will also be demonstrating the various forging techniques he applies when
forging knives. He will forge a blade from the most often utilized flat stock (in this
particular case; a farriers rasp). However, Daniel will also demonstrate the much
lessor utilized but very efficient methods of forging knives from round stock and bar
stock. In addition, Daniel will discuss his successes and experience in making
Damascus from bandsaw blades and steel strapping material as well as the
idiosyncrasies of forging brass.
When :
Saturday, January 17, 2015:






8:00
8:30
9:00
12:00
1:00
4:00
:
:
:
:
:
:
Sign In and set-up
HABA meeting and announcements
Daniel discusses and demonstrates
Lunch at your option
Demonstrations continue
Conclude
Where :
Daniel Riffe’s Forge
13521 Oakwood Drive
Needville, TX 77461
Directions
Hwy 288: Go south on Hwy 288 to 1462 and go west towards Rosharon. Pass
through Rosharon and turn right on 762. Go past Brazos Bend State Park. The road
will sharply turn left and then right again. At the next sharp left go straight onto
Peters Road. Take Peters Road to Rawlings Road and turn right. Turn left onto
Oakwood Drive.
Hwy 59: Take Hwy 59 south to Hwy 36 and go south. Turn left onto FM 1994. Turn
right onto 762. At the sharp right turn, turn left onto Peters Road. Take Peters Road
to Rawlings Road and turn right. Turn left onto Oakwood Drive.
If you need help with directions, call (281) 974-0296.
Google map link:
https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&fb=1&gl=us&ftid=0x8640fb8bbc621973:0xb21dc0f3dc7d1411&q=13521+Oakwood
+Dr,+Needville,+TX+77461&ei=0_-AVJPYC6jqiQKaIHwCw&ved=0CB8Q8gEwAA&output=classic&dg=brw
What to Bring
Bring a folding chair for your own comfort and a lunch.
PURPOSE:



To attract and retain new members
To improve the depth and breadth of members skills
To expand members access to resources (facilities, tools, coal, etc.)
You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings! Bring a Guest!
Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.