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Just back from a Colorado trip. The thin air up there affects how I shape shoes.
Learned so much from the local farriers. Their method for shaping in low oxygen was smart. Can't wait to try it here.
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danielgonzalez7mo ago
Slow your whole process way down up there. The thinner air makes the metal cool faster than you're used to, so your timing gets thrown off. Those Colorado guys probably told you to heat more often but for shorter bursts. Found it helps to pause between hammer blows to let the heat settle back in evenly. Trying to work at your normal speed just makes the steel fight you. Takes some getting used to but it works once you adjust your rhythm.
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evanpalmer7mo ago
That point about letting heat settle back in is key. It sounds counterintuitive to pause, but it stops you from working against cold metal. Getting the rhythm right changes everything.
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lily_gonzalez686mo ago
Totally get that. DanielGonzalez is right about slowing down. I had the same thing happen in New Mexico last year. The metal just goes cold so fast you have to heat in smaller, more frequent steps. It feels wrong at first, but it works.
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