This is a link to an article that confirms that JD has the largest working annville in the world www.anvilfire.com/anvils/af_anvils-largest.php#footnotes

JD is my brother. So proud of him. Took a lot of hard work and money to design and build these items. He has lots of other talents Woodworking, building cabins. Thank’s for visiting with him. He loves company , 20:5and sharing his creations . He know a lot of history about kentucky.!!! I enjoy all your videos.🙏

After seeing your video I paid JD a visit. I’m from Michigan and was on my way to Rogersville Tennessee for a family reunion. Spend a nice time talking with JD. I bought one of his Rubic Cube hook. That man is the salt of the earth. Is is not possible for anyone to be any nicer. He invited me back and I hope to do that soon.

Thank you Ignited Coyote for being wonderful company to my Daddy. We love your channel and keep up the awesome work!

Appreciate letting us get the chance to meet Mr JD

Bless JD's heart. There was a time in our history when a blacksmith was as important to daily life as anyone was. There is something special about an item that is handmade by a man like JD. You folks are lucky to have one of his pieces. Well done Coyotes.

Guy is a National Treasure and a treasure trove of knowledge. God bless him.......

What a wonderful Old gentleman I could listen to him all day long

JD is a genius! Proud to have hard working men with this kind of talent right here in the area!

“You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.”.....Justified. What a haunting piece of music.

He's a gem with a good brain and kind heart. Thanks for bringing him forward.

Him and papaw were great friends, y’all passed right by their house on your way there. Great video guys!

That’s my great uncle right there! He’s such an awesome guy!

JD is exactly the kind of person i gravitate towards. Nothing better then hanging out with someone like him to talk about life and learn everything he knows about blacksmithing. God bless his beautiful soul.

Mr. Napier is well known by most people in the south. Hes made a lot of tools that are worth their weight in gold. He is a man who should be respected and admired.

When I was working in blacksmithing as a kid, you didn't swing a heavy sledge hammer but one time. You let it bounce off the anvil, quickly get the handle under the head to start your next lick... Lift it straight up, and then pull it down hard onto the hot steel for the next lick... Otherwise, you couldn't stand to work all day in the heat... Interesting show...

Awesome! I grew up in south eastern Michigan and many mountain folk came up here for good paying jobs in automotive and related industries. Always kind and welcoming folk.❤

Such a talented guy! Guy's like him are a national treasure! Thanks for sharing him with us Coyote's!

Blacksmithing, coppersmithing, cooper's all lost or dying arts . Thanks for such a fascinating video, splash of local color, and an interesting gentleman . Enjoy a wonderful and blessed day! Love the channel

Wow this is amazing I’m a retired welder I know that had to be a lot of hard work !!!!

Talented man!Hope he gets the recognition he so desveres❤

Best video on KZfaq I ever seen. Great man God bless him.

Blacksmiths were as important as a doctor back in the day.....JD is plane Cool.

This man is from an era where men were MEN. God bless you Sir. 🙏🏼 You certainly have my respect.

I enjoyed this so much! Mr. Napier is a treasure. I'd love to meet him. I'm sure he's got tons of stories to tell about growing up in those mountains. I think someone should start a Go Fund Me to get the $2000 or whatever to have Guiness come out an certify his anvil as the world's biggest!

I’m truly impressed! What a wonderful gentleman & master of his trade. My hats off to you JD, may you always continue to find happiness in what you do, and always be surrounded by love, good friends & good health always! God bless you sir✌️😎👍

Simply put I really enjoyed this video God bless y'all my dear Kentucky friends

There's an old man is so cool. I like how he carries his little mini anvil with him everywhere he goes

The man with a heart of gold

One of my favorite things about areas like this, is the people. They believe in things like “the golden rule”. If you show them your interest in what they do or who they are, they will tell you as much about either as you care to learn. I am from a small dot on the West Virginia map and have never lived in a place that’s as giving as there. Texas was close with its friendly people. I was in a California airport once about to head back to Texas once. The people in the airport where rude and very focused on themselves before anyone else. We boarded the airplane and it was like we had already landed in Texas. The people where helping each other and I hadn’t seen that many smiling friendly faces in the entire month I was in California. I’m proud that I can say I’m from that area. I’ve taken my ideals with me everywhere I go. I’ve actually given the clothes off my back helping others. I hope my son is able to do the same one day. I never got to learn any metal work or Blacksmithing. I’ve got a small single burner forge and am hoping to get the last couple tools I need soon to start making small projects for the first time. Best of luck to Mr. Napier and your channel.

I'm from the Ozarks and its pretty much the same. We get tons of tourists each year. Folks from other states that don't know the heritage of our people. I take every opportunity to talk to folks and educate them on the area and traditions. J.D. talks and acts like my dad did. Just good salt of the earth folks. I can tell J.D. has worked very hard all his life. God bless him.

Thank you so much for this. I miss people like JD. I miss porches and visiting with my older mentors. I didn't hear one curse word from him the entire time. I'm in my 40s, I used to sit and talk with my grandpa for a few hours each week after mowing his lawn and/or we'd go fishing. He told me about his time in WWII, growing up on a farm, having little but he never complained about it. He never spoke ill about anyone. One of my mentors is a woodcarver that is in his upper 80s. He started off carving with very little and made his own tools. The resourcefulness of that man is inspiring to me. He'd find steel and handles from a flea market and make a knife. It has reminded me to appreciate what I have and make lemonade out of lemons. The younger generation doesn't understand this. Literally, everything is made for them. I try to instill this in my kids but we'll see if it sticks.

When I retire as a machinist, I am going to start beating hot steel on an old anvil I just traded for. What I wouldn’t give for a chance to learn from him and spend some time in his forge. Very cool dude and living history!

He’s a fine man in our neighborhood who’s weathered storms with just a wonderful positive attitude and a love for The Lord! Proud to know him!

he is the last bread that does this work almost all are gone loved the video i miss the people and mountains love to move back up there florida getting to high to survive god bless

I love it. My Dad was an old blacksmith who made his own anvil. I hsve it and planning to make my own smithy. with all his tools.

God Bless J.D....a true gentleman and American patriot ! Thanks so much for sharing ! 😇❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I grew up in Comanche Texas. I grew up in the 70s. Even in the 70s there were 3 full-time blacksmiths all within a mile of my house. There was 1blacksmith 2 blocks from my house. He would let us watch , but you boys stay out of the way. I can close my eyes and see that old man cranking up the forge and swinging his hammer. 100 degrees or 110 degrees he was at work. Drove an old 5os model chevy. His name was was Herman Willis, but he was Mr Willis to us just like all the men and women were Mr or Mrs. I am sorry about rambling but your videos are a time machine to a much different world.

Mr. Napier was great!

I'm guessing JD has accomplished more in his lifetime than my entire neighborhood street combined. What a treasure.

Yes the world record people need to go get that there Anvil in there books . The biggest heaviest working Anvil. God bless you Sir.

What a remarkable man the skills he has acquired over the years are a dying art it truly was enjoyable to watch an amazing person. Sending all the very best wishes from Dave in Borehamwood London England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

There's a touch of genius hiding inside JD's soul that makes him a genuine Appalachian craftsman.

🎉🎉🎉🎉 New sub this came across my KZfaq channel 🎉🎉🎉. ❤I love hearing from these kind folks reminds me when i was kid ..Im 79 baby makes me think of my mamma grandpa ❤God Bless

I'm not an official hillbilly... but i sure feel like an adopeted hillbilly now. Thank you for your stories and your wisdom sir. Thank you for sharing his story to the world. Stay safe all.

the anvil in my ancestor's smithy in a small village, east of Berlin, Germany, is in the same size range. I was there about 25 years ago, when the place was falling to pieces. The only items not stolen by thieves were the old huge bellows, the old forge made from bricks and the HUGE anvil sitting on a piece of oak tree. To move it one would have had to demolish the roof of the smithy and to use a crane. I have heard that today the smithy has been renovated and is now a village museum. They even got a new blacksmith working in it.

8:27 best part of the video was his chuckle after he spun it, never gets old😂 love to see it

Great upload thank you all for your time and conversation.

I would love to have that incredible talent. He’s one heck of an artisan. Thank you for sharing

The largest anvil i have ever seen was at an auction of a collector of Blacksmith paraphernalia! He had a dozen or so anvils, several different swage blocks, cones, forges, hammers, tongs, various bellows and blowers! If it had something to do with blacksmithing, he had it! The biggest Anvil was about 800 lbs., and came out industrial plant from the late 1800s!

I've been to his place a couple of times and talked to him at length he catalogs everything in notebooks etc. A very interesting person and very intelligent and down to earth. The world needs more people like JD.

what a cool old guy - with real American history - when we made things and had pride in who we were. when we picked each other up rather than picking on each other.

He sounds like a good fella to set and talk to

Can't get enough of history especially harlan County history. Thank you guys!

This video is such a treat! Thank you for sharing JD’s story with us! I’m gonna have to venture across the mountain to see this anvil myself, so neat!

I feel like I could sit and listen to to this man for days. I to am a black smith but I bet I could learn a lot from him. Sir I’m adding you to my prayers GOD bless you as I feel I’m blessed watching this

Backbone of America. What a Gentlemen. Thanks

He’s a cool ole dude

I would love to meet this man. Would be nice to see him working at his anvil while he is still able. Bless him

What a lovely gentleman would love to spend time with an old blacksmith like jd🙂

Thanks for sharing JD's great talents 👍

Great show.

What a great interview with a talented and good sense of humor man!

that's my kind of man= always busy LOVE HIM

a real video for REAL PEOPLE.........HONEST AND FROM THE HEART.........

🏔️👍 God Bless this Gentleman !! Thank you. 👍

Thanks for sharing this gentleman's story with us, I really enjoyed it. Next time you're in Corbin the KFC is on me.

So awesome!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful feeling. I really want to go visit and sit on the porch and drink some sweet tea.....and hear some mountain stories....

I've met many real blacksmiths and everyone of them was a kind God fearing person who was happy to show their craft, share tips, tricks and help with questions. God Bless JD and I hope he gets that monster certified!

I’m proud to be from Harlan Ky! There’s not many left like Mr Napier! I remember growing up talking to the men that fought WW2, they were always interesting people and hard working people. My grandfather fought in WWI and then hand loaded coal for 45 years. I’ve been by that anvil a thousand times!

..."whether you should or not."... (absolutely beautiful) Thanks for the post, absolutely appreciated...,.

What an awesome man, so much experience. The world is proud to have such great men with and their knowledge.

Quite the man, and quite the anvil! You'd need a step ladder to forge on it.

A great grandfather was a traveling blacksmith, that traveled between NC, and Winnipeg, then turned around and came back. Hard to believe that many people wanted things made.

I enjoy watching videos like this!!

He's a fountain of knowledge ...And a treasure. God be with 😎

Beautiful blacksmith shop! That's one one heck of an anvil!!!!!!

JD is a dying breed of real men in our great nation. But I pray to God he has many many more years to show these younger people what real life and work is all about. I could set for hours a day every day the rest of my life and listen to him tell about the good ole days. I'm a professional bladesmith and blacksmith myself for 20 years now and I think we'd have a few things in common to talk about. I'm also a mountain man myself just in different mountains on the other side of the country in the Rockies. I can't get enough of listening to him. I just subscribed to your channel and I hope you'll have more of him and maybe others like him in the Appalachian. My family came from North Carolina many years ago. I might have to take a trip out to visit JD one of these days. Thanks for sharing him and his amazing anvil.

He’s really one wright from the old school alright they don’t make them like that anymore right down to earth ,old jimmy Aust

Great guy, fun to talk to. Thanks for this video

I used to haul coal up in that area and Eastern Ky mountain are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I would load at one strip mine and on the way out I would shovel coal down into the corners of the trailer and people would come out and ask to trade for a lumps of coal to heat the houses. I traded for pocket knives antique glassware even had one old lady bring out cookies to trade for coal. The old lady was the nicest person I ever met. They have trucks that can come and weigh that anvil.

I admire You Sir. I don't ever want to retire, being productive and paying My way . 😊

Absolutely priceless interview. My roots are Olive Hill KY and Logan County WVa, and have always loved these areas and the people. Harlan County KY ...... The people dont come any more down home and original!! God Bless each one of them!!

Wonderful video really enjoyed it 👍👍

This man is amazing !!! I would love to see him someday. I have a good friend that lives in Harlan County. Talking about strong men my grandfather used to roll the drilling jars off the truck and carry them into the drilling rig. Those old timers knew what work really was.

since when are half dovetail joints bad carpentry? This dude is drowning in craftsmanship skills. a true national treasure.

You can watch his hands and leg, he always moving! You can see that he doesn't like to sit still for very long. That's what happens when you've worked your whole life.

My aunt Carlene was a Napier her name was Carlene Napier Thompson she was 91 when she passed

My Grandmother was born and raised in Harlan Kentucky and our blood runs deep in those mountains. Good people♥️

Real people, love 'em

Please someone get His story. I hate to think of it lost. Or at least go buy his art. What a treasure to find. Thanks.

What an awesome guy. An absolute legend,no doubt whatsoever.

truly a very talnted hard working man the fabric of america great video

A brother at the fire and steel.🙏

Wish we could hear a few taps on the big girl!

I absolutely LOVE people in Kentucky. They are the nicest people in the country hands down. its absolutely gorgeous there also. especially Southern Kentucky around Cumberland lake in a small town called Monticello.

Enjoyed your visit with JD. Took me back to my roots. I’m 60 now in South Carolina. However, half my life I was born and raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Miss the old mountain talk and sayings. When talking to people today. I can be found often saying, “My grandma use to say…”.

This was well worth the watch. Neat old timer

Absolutely love this feller. Unfortunately he is a dying breed... I'm 42 years old and I keep the old ways as good as I can myself, preach it to my kids all the time. We shouldn't let outsiders tell us that we speak wrong, because we don't tell them that they speak wrong. It's cultural genocide is what it is... plain and simple, and we need to take a stand. I bet this old man's I.Q. would scare the devil out of ya if you knew what it was... and I know for sure he is smarter than a great many people in office that claim to be of high intelligence all the time. Man what I'd give to talk to this man in person, you can see the gears turning in his mind... he's probably forgot more than I'll ever know. I sure hope he gets the recognition for that anvil, what a beast! Well thank you for sharing this and god bless.

This is gold! We have lost sooooo much