Quote Originally Posted by spazola View Post
I used the same forge, it worked better this time. I am not sure if it was heating less mass, the lining was finally dry, or using a brick to block the opening instead of an old sad iron. I think using the brick made the biggest improvement.

Charlie

All of the above would have helped significantly. It's amazing how much more heat it takes to work with a bigger piece of metal. I started a big Bowie knife once using 2x1/4" steel, and it was brutal. It took me close to two hours to hammer a point onto the bar. I wasn't letting it get hot enough. I should have just popped it in the forge and walked away for three or four minutes for each heat, but I was pulling it out after less than a minute and whaling on it. Wore myself out pretty good.

Josh