Want to buy a fork

Does anyone have a fork for sale?

Dane,

I promise that isn't what you want.

If you want a good fork there are two cats to hit up. Johnathan Irvin or Duncan. Its that simple.

There are probably others, but I know Kel Mulrey out on the west coast has done up some nice custom forks.  

Sammy68123 wrote: Duncan McCallum wrote: Dane,   Reach out to Tom Lawrence.  Teresa is right, you could get a Union fork, or a Razorback, but those are awful.     Why would a modified Union fork be awful? Emily Burchett, one of the sheaf goddesses of the Heartland, has used mine (modified to 2-tine) over the past season and even left me some mojo on it <g>! Are there some other mods I should make?

Probably not the best comparison...Emily could go 20+ with an olive fork.  I suppose if you get a broken down and/or loose bag (i.e. not a Clevenger) then a fork with the wider tines might not be so bad.  Besides, those forks are significantly heavier, and I don't know about you Dane, but I want events to be easier, not harder.

Dane, listen to Rob.

Sammy68123 wrote: Are there some other mods I should make?

Yea, weld that 3rd tine back on. 

BillyMac wrote: so I'm definitely thinking of getting the 4 tine and cutting 2 off.

Don't do that. 

And if you're going to be throwing in the South (you mentioned Florida), 2 tine forks are outlawed.

BillyMac wrote: Going to be borrowing one in Florida anyway, but I'll need one in Feb; can't get 8oz of fluid or toenail clippers on a plane, I'm sure DHS would tackle me for a fork....maybe get a fancy case and check it like a set of golf clubs?

HG athletes fly with forks and hammer blades all the time. 

BillyMac wrote: Most of the antique ones I'm finding on eBay are cast iron. I'm assuming those are not the kind to buy. Steel only right; anything else to look for?

I learned my fork lore from Duncan and from personal experience.  Antique forks ( I guess unless otherwise stated ) were generally cold rolled steel.  Modern forks are generally hot rolled steel.  I say 'generally' in both cases, though I have yet to find an exception.  Cold rolled steel is a bit harder, a bit stronger, and holds a surface finish better than hot rolled steel.  What that means in practical terms for us throwers is that antique fork heads tend to be a bit springier and hold a polish better than modern fork heads.  It's entirely subjective, but I think antique fork heads feel better.

Still, I think any reasonably set-up fork will work well if it fits with you.  I work with all antique fork heads and I make really nice forks, but they don't work well for all throwers.  I send every one I make with a disclaimer that if it doesn't work for you, please go find who belongs to it and put it in their hand. 

If you are cruising Ebay for an antique fork, there are a few cues you can look for if they have close-up pictures:

• The tang on antique forks usually has a convex side and a flat side.  The flat side will often had a slightly raised edge.  I have also seen four-sided tangs that taper, kind of like the base of a bit for an old brace&bit drill.
• The tines on antique forks seem to generally be longer than modern forks.  Almost everyone I have worked also has a definite spine down at least one side (usually two, e.g. top and bottom) of the length of each tine.  I have seem some where this is so pronounced that the cross section of the tines would be diamond shaped.
• They will be rusty.  Look closely at the tips before you buy.  If the last few inches look irregular and highly pitted, don't buy it.  It will break.  If the tips look sharp or chisel pointed, you are in great shape.

I hope this helps.  If any of the other readers sees where I misrepresented something, please correct it.  I am a craftsman not a sheaf champion, so have no ego tied up in this.

Tom

Duncan McCallum wrote: Probably not the best comparison...Emily could go 20+ with an olive fork.  I suppose if you get a broken down and/or loose bag (i.e. not a Clevenger) then a fork with the wider tines might not be so bad.  Besides, those forks are significantly heavier, and I don't know about you Dane, but I want events to be easier, not harder.

I had Jason Clevenger help me get my Union the 2-tine through the bag I got from him. We had to beat and stomp the bag a bit. He also told my hubby about how to do a little more work to the tines to sharpen and taper them near the ends.

I just recieved my fork from Tom Lawrence and it looks absolutely awesome! Highly reccomended.

That answer is none... none more black.

Glad you like it Dane.

Tom