Medieval Blacksmithing: Rare, Handmade Medieval Forge Demonstrated by Ted Hinman 

That is a Roman-style anvil. A lot of blacksmiths from the Roman and Viking Ages had very small anvils. A very big anvil would have been very expensive. If there were regiments on the move, they would not want to be carrying all that extra weight. Sometimes, the blacksmith would find a large stone to use as an anvil. I received the idea for this anvil from an artifact dug up and exhibited in a museum.

Yes, I made the forge, bellows, anvil and tools myself. I am located in Massachusetts. I do commissions, and I teach students

@@theodorehinman2004I just ordered several books about blacksmithing in Amazon. I ordered books about traditional blacksmithing without the use of any electric powered tools. I will built one similar to this in the coming weeks. I don’t know if you have seen the RU-vid channel called last days where he predicted the assault on trump. He is predicting an economic collapse after this election that will last a long time. The dollar will collapse and we will be back to bartering. This is why I’m learning about blacksmithing right now without the use of electricity and I’m trying to live without electricity. I believe after this collapse that he is talking about we will be back to using hand powered tools. Gasoline and electricity will be very expensive and in most places non existent. I want to forge tools and weapons and barter it for food and clothes. I have experience of being a mechanic and welding. Medieval blacksmithing will be the best trade to learn. I still have a lot to learn, I also ordered an 66lbs anvil and some hammers on Amazon. I am learning a lot about blacksmithing in this video that you posted alone. I learned about the Roman style anvil that you are using and it’s mobility. Thank you for posting this and replying to my question!

Thank you for starting off the comments that have followed.

I appreciate your memory of a blacksmith meet at the Saugus iron works. Was that back in 1997? At that time, I was actually using a shop vac as a blower.

forge bellows my dude

You could look up "Medieval Blacksmithing" and look at the images. You'll find mostly set ups with an assistant pumping the bellows by-hand, without that kind of mechanism. You can find manuscripts of the kind of bellows I am using here.

Thank you for your comment. to the novice who has not done it yet, naturally it appears to be very hard and difficult. But once you have seen a demo and have tried your hand at it a few times then it is easier than you think. Let me know if you want to try your hand at it.

It can be done with the smaller fireplace bellows. I have seen a Viking Age forge in action done with bellows not much larger than fireplace bellows. I would not go too small, and if you are pumping them by-hand, and not using the lever I have, you could force more air into the fire, making the steel hotter. If you would like to meet via Zoom to receive guidance, I am happy to meet with you. I apologize for taking so long to respond. Unfortunately, we have had a few deaths in the family.

Thank you Iishana. Being authentic to whatever time period that I am interpreting is very important.

@@theodorehinman2004 I saw your work at the Amherst Arts Celebration and could feel the authenticity in each piece. Really nice!

Thank you very much!! These bellows and anvil was based on manuscript images and the anvil is based on an actual artifact that was dated back to. ancient Rome and is on display in a museum.

Thank you for your response. The bellows are based in lots of research, and looking at medieval manuscript s as well. they are a pleasure to use.

True Hinman is not a common name. It would be interesting where the name Hinman comes from.

@@theodorehinman2004 well in the western hemisphere, that would be Edward Hinman (1627 - 1681 AD). A crown loyalist who fled England to the Americas following the overthrow of Charles the 1st by Oliver Cromwell. Edward settled in Stratford Connecticut in 1650. We are fairly certain he is the source of all Hinmans in the US and Canada.

I appreciate your comment about the Hinman lineage. I have actually heard that we were descended from either the captain of the guard or a loyalist from Charles the first. It is nice to make this connection about our heritage and we could be related for all we know.

Goes to show how insightful you were.

@@theodorehinman2004 Sorry for such a late reply, but holy crap! I didn't even have a clue this would've happened, lol.

Thank you for your support.