Interested In Blacksmithing

What is Blacksmithing?

Blacksmithing is the art of forging metal using tools like a hammer and an anvil to make objects, like hinges, nails, hammers, and more. It was a common practice before the industrial revolution when most towns had their own town blacksmith shop, also known as a “village smithy.” In the late 1800s, factories and mass-production reduced the demand for smithed tools and hardware. It is regaining popularity as blacksmiths become more interested in forging their own tools, and modern blacksmith guilds offer support, education, and a sense of community around this growing niche. The art of blacksmithing and bladesmithing, in particular, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Industrial art schools like The Crucible work to increase access to blacksmithing forges and training programs and shows like "Forged in Fire" bring additional interest and understanding of the art form.

What is a blacksmith?

A blacksmith is a metalsmith who forges metal using tools like a hammer and an anvil to repair and make tools, ornamental objects, hardware, and more.

Bronze age forging. 

Bronze age forges, used for shaping bronze tools and weapons, primarily involved casting molten bronze into molds. 

The process included creating molds, often from clay or stone, heating bronze in a furnace, pouring the molten metal into the mold, and then fettling (removing imperfections and finishing) the cooled bronze object. 

While casting created the basic form, forging was crucial for shaping, strengthening, and finishing items like swords and tools. 

Iron Age smithing.

 involved transforming iron into tools, weapons, and other objects through a process of heating, hammering, and cooling. Blacksmiths used fires and bellows to heat iron until it was flexible, then shaped it on an anvil using tongs and hammers. The process often included carburization, where the iron was heated in charcoal to create a harder steel. 

Medieval blacksmiths.

Were vital craftspeople who shaped metal, primarily iron and steel, using heat and hammering to create tools, weapons, and other essential items. 

They employed various techniques like drawing out, upsetting, and bending, requiring both strength and precision. 

Blacksmithing was a fundamental skill in medieval society, with blacksmiths playing a key role in town economies and daily life. 

The Industrial Revolution.

significantly impacted blacksmithing. Initially a widespread and vital craft, the rise of factories and mass production led to a decline in demand for traditional blacksmithing as machines could produce many items more quickly and cheaply. Blacksmiths adapted by specializing, working in industries like shipbuilding or railroads, or finding work in factories. Some even shifted to artistic blacksmithing or became farriers. 

The fundamental skills of blacksmithing.

Involves manipulating heated metals using a variety of techniques to achieve a desired shape. 

These skills, such as drawing out, upsetting, bending, and forge welding, are essential for creating a wide range of objects from simple tools to intricate artistic pieces. While the tools and techniques have evolved, the core principles of blacksmithing remain largely unchanged, with modern blacksmiths often combining traditional methods with new technologies. 

Decline of Traditional Blacksmithing:

• Mass Production:

  The rise of factories and automated machinery led to the mass production of items like horseshoes, tools, and hardware, rendering the village blacksmith's services less necessary. 

   
• Shift in Demand:

  As machines could produce goods more quickly and cheaply, the demand for individually crafted items decreased, forcing many blacksmiths to seek alternative employment. 

   
• Specialization:

  Some blacksmiths adapted by specializing in specific areas like farrier work (shoeing horses), custom metalwork (gates, railings), or artistic pieces. 

Mastering the Secrets of Carbon and Steel

The secrets of carbon and steel lie in how the addition of carbon to iron alters its properties, creating a versatile material with a wide range of applications. 

Carbon content significantly impacts steel's strength, hardness, ductility, and weldability. 

Higher carbon content generally increases hardness and strength but reduces ductility and weldability.

Things I wish I had known before I started blacksmithing.

 Everything is either hot, heavy, sharp, or dangerous.

Blacksmithing is addictive, once you start you want more and more.

An old joke is that there are only two things that can send a blacksmith to hell:

bending cold iron, and

not charging enough.

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With all your tools, someone else can do the same thing with one hammer, one anvil, working outside under a tree. And THEY do not need the tree.

Anyone can start a project, but not everyone can finish a project.

Sitting in a chair reading about blacksmithing is not the same as beating on hot iron.

You can NEVER learn enough, there is always something you did not know.

Blacksmithing

Can be a rewarding mental activity due to its creative outlet, physical workout, and ability to provide a sense of accomplishment and permanence. 

The process of shaping hot metal requires focused attention and can be a meditative experience, helping to improve concentration and reduce stress. 

The physical demands of blacksmithing, such as hammering and lifting, provide a workout and can release endorphins, contributing to improved mood and reduced stress. 

It can be a calming activity that requires focus and attention, and offers a unique way to express creativity and build something tangible. 

Steel changes color

when heated due to a process called thermal radiation. As the temperature of the steel increases, its atoms vibrate more vigorously, emitting electromagnetic radiation. The color we perceive is determined by the wavelength of this radiation, which shifts from infrared (not visible) to visible light as the temperature rises, starting with dull red, then cherry red, orange, yellow, and finally white. 

Understanding how different metals react to heat and how to achieve the correct temperature for each process is crucial. 

D F In The Shop shows us

Measuring Without The Numbers.

How Blacksmiths used dividers and travellers to measure their work

This is a short video showing one recipe for

a good forge lubricant.

Useful when punching and drifting holes. This is far from the only way to make one. This particular one originates from a well known blacksmith named Uri Hofi, who sadly passed away recently.