Forging

Forge (gas is easier than coal to start), anvil or a heavy 50+ kg rail section, 1–1.5 kg hammer, tongs, water bucket. Costs about one machine tool.

Dark cherry ~700°C, cherry ~850°C, orange ~1000–1100°C, yellow ~1200°C — forging range. Welding white ~1300°C+ — steel starts sparking and burning.

Drawing out, upsetting, punching, bending, twisting, tapering. Each is a separate hammer technique — practice on 8–10 mm rod.

Mild/low-carbon steel forgives mistakes, can't be hardened. 10–20 mm rod or square. Spring steel is stage two — needs heat treatment.

Cotton/leather, no synthetics (they melt). Always goggles. Scale flies on impact — no kids/pets nearby. Ventilation — forge CO is deadly.

Fire poker → hook → trivet → knife blank. The goal of the first 10 hours is feeling the metal, not a product.