tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24863457.post2298778053390581825..comments2024-03-23T14:17:37.033-04:00Comments on Hammered Out Bits: 'Off Cut Bowl' - Waterlife / Shadow Box showthe Wareham Forgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14584324650436543045noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24863457.post-70481804973684285382011-04-12T06:50:15.765-04:002011-04-12T06:50:15.765-04:00I find the bowl shape intriguing, and full of pote...<i> I find the bowl shape intriguing, and full of potential.... but being the heavily practical type, I never know what to actually _do_ with them.<br /><br /> Karen </i><br /><br />This came out of a couple of working techniques involving MIG welding - and a further consideration of some way to utilize bloom iron to its best potential.<br /><br />As a knife material I consider making and using bloom iron is most often just a 'trick'*, unless you are considering extremely accurate historic reproductions. Most of the current interest in bloomery iron is focused by knife makers. (Most* who lack understanding and knowledge of the process and materials - and what they claim is BS)<br /><br /><b>Lee Sauder</b> has done some amazing sculptural pieces. But that is his vision, and I don't want to copy him or explore that area in depth. Not my interest.<br /><br />I do want to produce some pieces that make use of the unique qualities of fragmenting iron blooms. Combine metal with blown glass.<br /><br />As far as utility goes - 'Off Cut Bowl' has a spray lacquer coating. It is durable, and although effectively water tight, it does have undercut edges. So it would work well for something like a fruit or nut bowl. (Wipe with a cloth to clean) Thats kind of what I was thinking of, the same uses you would put a textured and unglazed ceramic surface to.<br /><br />* <i> I will NOT be drawn into a pissing match over what some claim they can do. I put my own experience, well documented, up here to defend my opinion. <br />There are a very few isolated individuals who have developed standardized methods (and quite modern in approach) which in turn allow them *some* ability to control the end product of their individual iron smelting process. You might consider that Sauder & Williams, who have more direct experience running small bloomery furnaces than all the rest of us in North America *totalled together*, DO NOT claim THEY can control and absolutely predict the outcome of a given smelt process.</i>the Wareham Forgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14584324650436543045noreply@blogger.com