14 years ago I dug a hole in my parents backyard, filled it up with Costco charcoal and powered it with a hairdryer. I spent as much time out there as I possibly could, each morning waiting eagerly until it was an appropriate time to start making a lot of noise (I grew up in suburbia). I was so excited to be forging I hardly noticed how difficult it was having basically no tools, a small section of railroad track and some files. I learned from YouTube, eventually meeting other bladesmiths and growing in the craft year after year. I believe working with other bladesmiths is how to grow and excell in the craft, as opposed to forging in isolation.
If you can relate to the passion and desire to create, to forge beautiful and functional tools, then this is the place for you!
See you in the forge!