I love how Martin is always like “what and why do you have the camera pointed at me”. “I just wanna work, leave me alone”

The die you made that ended up with the “sloped sides” is actually how closed cavity dies are designed. The draft angle is what allows the finished part to release from the die. Happy accident, that! I suggest another die to make the preform. It would need a top and bottom die. It would taper the nib and then bend the nib and hinge area. Then turn it 90 degrees to make the final part. When we make forged brass lever handles we have a bending die mounted next to the closed cavity die. One strike to bend, one strike to forge. Excellent build!

A book from the 1500s, De Re Metallica by Georg Bauer, was a work about mining, refining and smelting of metals. It had numerous woodcuts that showed scenes with the tools and contraptions of the metal workers, with a description of what you saw. One of those 'tools' was a beer can, as a little joke on the side. Which I find quite charming.
Now I imagine how if Bauer would still live today and move on from describing the way of the metal from mining to smelting to writing about the forge, there would be the burrito tongs on one of his pictures.

The camera shutter synced power hammer was super cool

It’s been a while since I watched your videos. I think the last one was when Martin left the company.
I was extremely excited to see him back💪🏼🔥🔥🔥

Most underrated blacksmith on YT. Keep inspiring brother!!!

Making tongs and tools of the trade, literally are the teaching tools of blacksmithing. Refining the designs of jaws, handles and pivot points teaches you design skills and understanding of stress points and pinch points. I usually can make tongs in less than 45 minutes and enjoy the design process. You made a nice video, and the outcome was well done. I liked and subscribed to your channel. Thank you for sharing.

I appreciate the cooking instructions, forge cooked nachos and tong toasted burritos are really good.

It looks like you could really use a dedicated metal grinding area away from the wood grinding area. I would like to see you make right handed carving hatchets that weight 1lb & 1.5lb. It is difficult to find good carving hatchets that are ground appropriately, not too heavy and not an antique made with too soft of steel.

When you watch the big manufacturing of tools with presses, it takes several steps to get from the stock to finished tool. Rough shape, basic shape, refined shape, finished shape.

The top of the die needs to be milled true so you have a sharp edge that will help get that flash off

I would love to do this, but recently f’ed my back, and by recent, 2 yrs ago. Need to retrain into something I can do.
Very jelly Tim. Love ya work. Will have to think about getting one of your blackhawks

Excellent video as always ☺️ I've been recommending your channel to tons of my friends whenever they ask about metalworking.

"Keep the forge lit."
I like that. Very catchy.

The question is, how long will it take to make a new pair of tongs now?

Also, Martin, never change. 🇩🇪

You just can’t beat the skill of a master nachoist at work

I’m thinking that if you were to continue developing forms for production tongs, a three stage mold series would be much better for minimizing input material and more accurate final dimensions. Rather than trying to get the final shape in one step

That super fast powerhamer footage moment when you were making the handles look awesome!

Those time lapses were neat

One doesn't see many drop forging or die sinking smaller forging operations. Would love to see one of the old Billings drop hammers making tools.  Cool use of your equipment to make what you need.