Trying to find a Veteran or Veterans Group that welds or forges somewhere around Belton Tx or Ft Hood. I am retired Army. I am 57 years old and I still work on Ft Hood and have a total of 38 years working for the Army in or out of uniform. I really want to start learning to make the tools needed for forging and eventually some knives. I have researched all of the "programs" to start this process. I am really hoping to find someone closer to me that can mentor me and I can learn from, maybe another veteran or veterans group in the area around Ft Hood. Doesn't need to be a veteran, but with all the retirees around Ft hood area I figure there has to be someone who can show me the ropes. I am partial to Cranky old guys who cuss and can be unprofessional. Even to be able to watch others in the process in real life would be great. I live in Belton. This is completely for mental relaxation, I have no aspirations of mass producing or selling anything. I just like to have the knowledge of how to make things I need. I have gone so far as to buy a Hells forge 2 burner, a Hobart welder 120/240. And to build a small workshop. I have a railroad track anvil mounted on a stump and some basic tools. I have a small boat that I can take someone out fishing on Belton as trade. As I still work full time I am only available after 430 evenings or on weekends. My children are grown and the wife wants me out of the house more than in it. The person doesn't have to be a master at the craft, they could be a country boy just like me looking for like company. Thanks for reading!! Here is a picture of my soon to be completed workshop.

I wish you much success. I too would love to venture into knife making, but it is not in my near future. I very much enjoy the Forged in Fire series.

I have watched Every episode of forged in Fire, Love it. I really want to make some knives. The man I thought was my father was a master welder. He was always mad at me and I never knew why, I found out the Day he died that he wasn't my father and he knew it the whole time. He asked me when I was 7 if I wanted to be a welder like him, I said no I wanted to be a Doctor. He refused to ever teach me. He was drunk and angry a lot and would sometimes beat me for no reason that I knew. His whole family was pretty angry with me, always got quiet when I walked into a room. They all kind of ignored me. I joined the Army at 18 and never looked back. It gave me a great career, educated me, injured me but made me the man I am today. I really have a need to work on this skill. I am not asking for anyone to give me anything other than a little of their time and advice. Maybe I am asking for too much. Just someone who is retired and maybe they need to get out of the house for an hour here of there. I will supply the beer, metal, equipment and forge. It really could be someone who wants to try to forge themselves. Again I live in Belton in the (county). Thanks Chris

Call Evan at Texas Farrier Supply in Kennedale, he may be able to put you in touch with people he knows in that area. They provide knife making supplies to a lot of guys in Texas.

Thanks So Much!!

Might ask the guys on base at the stable who they use?

Wish I was closer I’ve always wanted to learn myself I don’t know squat about it . Get the metal hot and beat on it about as far as I got . Oh and cracks are bad lmao