Hey there folks,
I have been thinking its about time I started getting sorted for the CJF test. My plan is to come over to the US for the IHCS and spend a month afterwards roadtripping to certifications. I wanted to start a topic so I can post as I practice and get some feedback. maybe there are others on the same journey why would post too like we did on the CF posts with Jason? I may need a kick up the butt at times to keep me honest, and knowing there are others out there expecting a post will make me do the work.

I have no work to post yet, just a few logisical questions -

Can I get your oppinions on how realistic my travel plan is at that time of the year, given it will still be pretty wintery?
Also, when others have sat the test, did you bump the toe in your shoes?
Any advice on any aspect you can offer?
Thanks in advance

Your best bet is to check the certification schedule in the north east that time of year.

It will be no problem for you Rachael
am i correct you have to make and fit a set of plain-stamp shoes
and bring a shoe board
i have seen the shoe board you should have no problem

Hi Smitty,
That is half correct, you have to make and fit a set of plain stamped shoes, but the shoe board you mention is for the CF. For the CJF you just have to make a bar shoe fit to a given pattern. I love making bar shoes so that is no worries, although I need to get better at measuuring the stock for a given foot size.
What i need to work on most is basic shoe making and fitting to a given foot. I'll get out in the forge today and see how I do. I have some customers that will allow me to spend more time doing dry runs on their horses but I won't start that until the end of winter - feels like it would take me ALL DAY to do that right now!

Eric, I'm not sure they are written up this far in advance but I will get on and check later in the year.

Rachel,

I have begun practicing for the Journeyman test in September, so let's track our progress. There are several things I am working on right now to put it all together. I'm pretty confident that I'll be prepared for the written. I've been making bar shoes to a pattern and trying to improve on a system. Last night It took me 40 minutes without finishing work. I also make a pair of shoes each night as well. There are a couple of CJF's in my area that I'm able to get feedback and work with. I made a practice run last week and it took me 3 1/2 hours. Ugh! My main nemisis is stamping and pritcheling. Quickly forging a good looking heel has also been coming along. I'll start attaching pictures of progress and try to keep the motivation going. The benefits have been really great! I know there are a lot of guys that have the skills without the test but it just gives me a goal and the motivation to have a target date.

Hey Derek, welcome to my thread! I haven't been on here for a while and I wish i could say it is because I've been practicing so hard, but hmmm, I haven't! I'm having problems getting my forge sorted but that's no excuse really. I reckon the written will be the easy bit for me too, it's working on efficiency that is the real bonus for doing something like this. Much like you, I need a goal and a deadline to make me pull finger.
Since no one else has answered my question, can I ask you if you have been bumping the toe in your shoes or is it better to just get the shoe made and on at this stage? I would imagine one would have to bump the toe in the bar shoe or it will look terrible once it is fullered, is that so?
Where abouts do you live?

Rachel, With the bar shoe and the plain stamped you can seat the shoe out on the foot side to bring your stock width back to dimension across the toe.

Testers are going to be particular about sole relief on the practical. So put sole relief in the shoe and you don't have to put it in the hoof with your knife after you burn.

Rachel your better bumping the toe the shoe will look very week

I would bump and turn the toe in the same heat. Then one heat for each branch (2 per branch on the fullered barshoe).

Rachel, I normally seat out the toe like Tom said. Although, It would help to bump if I could get it all done in the first heat. Had a good week of practice last week, but tonight I made two hinds, burnt a clip and broke my pritchel. I have some tool maintenance to do tomorrow. I'm down here in Tennessee.

I agree Smitty that the toe will look weak, but at this stage it's better weak and on, than meaty and unfinished, , but I'm up for the challenge and I'm sure in time it will be easy. Right now I need to get sure on what I'm doing in each heat and how long that takes. If I use derek's timetable and get to dry running it by the time he is doing the test, then I can add the frills to my work later. Photos to come soon.

Today, Tom's suggestion is like a light-bulb moment as I always hate to cut the sole after I burn. I don't know why I haven't been doing it as a matter of course on every horse!

It seems like every time I make shoes I have to rework my hot tools. Not so much now since I realised that what I thought was hardening them was only half the process - I was just annealing them, then when I used them they would flop straight away. I spent ages blaming the crappy steel until I realised I was missing the last step in the process. Doh! I'm getting better, but they still get trashed. Am I just mean to my tools, or is this to be expected?

Am I just mean to my tools, or is this to be expected?[/quote]

Answer - probably both

You should really force yourself to bump and turn your toe in one heat.

You should look into some tools made of s7. It's air cooled.

H13 way better for hot work than S7. Both are air quench.

S7 Description

H13 Description

I think the reason tool makers started using S7 is because the tools tear up quicker and they get to sell you replacement head stamps and creasers more often.