This past weekend I took a blacksmithing class.
I had wanted take one for many years (I took one long ago, but really it was a very introductory course). There is a local smithy in town connected to a living history site that offers classes. This was my Christmas gift from my family).
(On the left, bituminous coal. On the right, clinker, the remnants of the coal after it has burned.)
To be frank with you, I really enjoyed it. To be fair, it is hard work - I work out regularly and I was exhausted when I got home on Saturday (if you need an arm and chest workout, this is it). Also, as it turns out, steel is a pretty forgiving medium that can be "fixed" if you make an error in most cases.
Also, to be fair, I do love the smell of a coal fire.
On the left is the rolled stock (low carbon steel) that we used as a base. On the right is a coal rake, which is a tool used at the forge to move the coal into the fire.
We also made hooks. The first is one you drive directly into a timber:
The second is one that you can screw into the wall.
The last one is an "S" hook.
At times, all I could see when I looked at the coals was Sauron forging The Rings of Power.
I really enjoyed this. I am not sure how much of a hobby I want to make this, but it certainly does have potential.
I got work on a friend's forge when I was much younger. Made a poker, did some work on my car, and generally had a ball. I have everything to make the shop less a real anvil and a forge.
ReplyDeleteIt is satisfying work.
STxAR, it was satisfying work. There is something about making something with your hands that is different from every other activity in the world.
DeleteHeatin’ and beatin’!!!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that isn’t too big of a “hobby” too. Some of the skill sets look like they take 5 minutes to learn and years to perfect. It’d be a wonderful way of life...
I think you are right Glen - if you are in and want to get good, you are 100% in. I can attest that my instructor made tapping out a leaf shaped end on a hook look easy; I just burned the metal and ended up with a blob. It would be a wonderful way of life too, I think.
DeleteWOOT! Awesome! If you were here and had made a couple hundred shepherd's hooks for hanging plants, you would have done well. The store always runs out of them.... and, of course, they are all made in China.
ReplyDeletePlan a smithy shop on the ranch ;^)
~hobo
Thank you Hobo! It is funny: I bet there are all sorts of small income generating opportunities that are never realized just like that. I do not know what the cost of steel is, but I think a skilled smith could easily turn out a number a day - and if the actual pricing was figured in, it might make things "cheaper".
DeleteIf I get the opportunity, for sure. I have already looked at the cost of forges...
I would have really enjoyed the class. My shoulders and wrists would have hated it.
ReplyDeleteGood work on your part and the satisfaction of making something with fire and your skills is wonderful.
Thank you John. It is wonderful.
DeleteI work out three times a week and I was still not ready for it. It is a heck of a work out as well.
Yup. You want a smithy when TEOTWAWKI comes. You can make your own swords, make and repair knives, and I can watch you on Forged in Fire; where you might even win $10,000. 😉
ReplyDeleteIt is true, Linda. Even today, I look at the various iron and steel decorative items in our home and have an entirely new appreciation for them.
DeleteAlthough I made need a lot more training before my television debut...
If you watch a few episodes, you will find a lot of the smiths use repurposed metals. Especially the steel springs from vehicles.
DeleteOf course really nice items require better metals, maybe; but I've watched shows where they used old tools, old weapons, ladders, a barber's chair, an old fire engine, etc, haha. An enjoyable show if you have any interest. :)
Linda, I think the key is the quality of metal. Not good old metal makes for not new good metal unless you recreate it.
DeleteI will keep the show in mind - I may have to do research!
To make things and be creative is very useful for the soul, plus you got a workout as well! You must have felt very productive, and got ease from life's stresses for a little while.
ReplyDeleteVera, everything you say is true! I do not get to exercise my creativity this way in "real life".
DeleteAlso, it strikes just the right balance for the mind: just enough activity to keep one engaged but not too much to make one overly stressed. I believe this state is referred to as "flow". I wish I could hit it more.
Someday when I have my shop built, I have always thought I would like to get into blacksmithing. There is a historic village near where I grew up that has a blacksmith shop and I have to watch my drool when I look at all the neat things he has created. However the one thing I would like to make that he doesn't is a good old fashioned knife. Not sure why since I don't carry one these days. Some not understood instinct.
ReplyDeleteEd, I had a blast. I highly recommend it. Looking at my schedule between now and the end of the year I am not sure I can do much more, but may pick up next year. It is every so much fun.
DeleteInteresting he does not make knives. That seems to be a go to/fall back position for a lot of folks - they offer knife and even sword making classes where I went, but I am not so sure I am eager - like your smith. Over-saturation of the market? Not sure.
so cool. this is something I have wanted to do for a while! I have seen some forges pass through online ads and have wanted to act on things..but lacking time and space I have passed..maybe soon! I do look great in leather aprons!
ReplyDeleteEGB, it was really an enjoyable experience, and I think a man of your talents would do well in it. I am working on how I am going to schedule more time next year along with going back to The Ranch more often.
DeleteMaybe see if there is a possibility of classes at The Ranch?
DeleteLinda, I have looked it up. There are such classes with a 60 minute drive, which is not unreasonable for me.
DeleteSounds perfect!
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