The first thing I thought when I saw this gentleman's smithy was that it's exactly as it should be.

Cluttered with years of experience, there were more tools of the blacksmith's trade here than I'd ever seen in one place before.

I had purchased a swage block from Phil on eBay and drove down to pick it up with the hope that we could make a few additional deals as well, and that's just what turned out.

This is the out door forge. Phil has about 3 fully stocked forge setups, both indoors and out. He also has a machine shop too, but I'll focus on the smithing part of his work areas.

Here is Phil's main indoor coal forge with an electric blower and an overhead bellows set up as well.

In addition to picking up some great tools for my shop, I was really lucky to be able to listen to Phil and learn from his fifty years of experience as a flintlock rifle maker, a wagon builder and of course a blacksmith. A nicer gentleman you're unlikely to find.

Next to the forge is a 25# little giant hammer looking for a motor. Otherwise it's in great shape and ready for another 50 years of work.

Another view of the forge. Tong and hammer racks abound. The outside wall of the building has shutters which open up and bring the outdoors inside when the weather is fair.

Yep, that's a big anvil. I'm guessing at around 850#.

It was already sold and one of Phil's helpers was in the process of moving the anvil the old fashioned way. He got tired and decided to come back and finish up another day.

This is the set of tinsmith stakes I bought from Phil. The stake plate in the back of the photo will be mounted on a timber bench. The stakes have been cleaned up and are ready to use.

This is a heading or header vise. It was made by Wiley and Russell Manufacturing in Greenfield, Mass. The block on the right side is adjustable for making different length bolts. It's very handy when you need to have two hands free to work.