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An old guy at the county fair saw my twist and said 'You're fighting the iron'
He was watching me try to forge a decorative twist on a gate hinge. He said to heat it hotter and let the hammer do the work, not my arms. Has anyone else had a simple tip totally change how you approach a basic technique?
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wesley_adams1mo ago
Man, that's the best kind of advice. It's not about more strength, it's about working with the tool's own weight and momentum. Changes the whole feel.
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val_williams1mo ago
My grandpa tried to teach me that with a sledgehammer when I was twelve. I just got really good at dodging.
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torres.grant1mo ago
Yeah, working with the weight and momentum thing is so true. I mean, I finally got it when I was splitting wood and stopped trying to muscle the maul through. You just let it fall and guide it, and it's way less work. Changes everything.
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