Blacksmithing with Vern Barker

09/18/20 • 61 min

#024. In this conversation we discuss getting started in blacksmithing, what you'll need, where to find tools, what to look for before buying, general guidelines for smithing, etc. We also cover some suggested resources and Vern's experiences teaching blacksmithing. Fun conversation!
Links to resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/24

Previous Episode

An Overview of Flintknapping with Mike Cook

#023. This week we're talking flintknapping-- learning about making and using stone arrowheads and knives. We discuss the knapping from a high level perspective, with a little bit of how-to and the principles involved, a bit of considerations for using your stone blades and tips, things to keep in mind when getting started, etc. I consider flintknapping to be a foundational skill, almost all other technologies are based around having a blade in order to cut with, and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with someone who is good at it.
Mike is a professional flintknapper who has been knapping for about 40 years, and he makes some gorgeous work (check it out at artofishi.com). We had a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it! Big thanks to Rich Williams, the guest from episode #21, for recommending I chat with Mike!
Links to any resources mentioned can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/23

Next Episode

Home Butchery and Using the Unusual Bits with Jake Levin

#025. Do you raise and butcher your own livestock? Process the game animals you hunt?
Regardless, this time of year would have been the traditional butchering season in northern latitudes and just about every rural family would have been processing their yearly meat in addition to putting up their harvest for the winter. Many of us no longer raise, slaughter, or butcher our own animals anymore (something I think keeps us too removed from the reality of what is going on with our food), but I thought that I would like to do an episode that revolves around home butchery and talk about some of the basics.

I also believe that we (Americans at least) let too much of the animal go to waste these days, and that if we truly respected the life we were taking we would utilize more of the parts that often get discarded. Fortunately, Jake is a nose-tail butcher so we also discuss various cuts that often get overlooked and what you can do with them. Enjoy!
Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at:
folkcraftrevival.com/25