What is a Blacksmith?
THE term blacksmith comes from the fact they work with “black” metals, typically iron, with the black coming from a layer of oxides formed on the metal’s surface during heating. “Smith” derives from the word “smite”, which means “to hit”. Hence a blacksmith smites black metal. Forging is often referred to as sculpting because it is the process of shaping metal, while the forge is the blacksmith’s fireplace. The first formed and shaped pieces of metal were discovered in archaeological digs dating back about 5000 years. The first blacksmiths made weapons of death – for hunting or war. In times of peace, blacksmiths earned their livelihood everyday items such as vases, urns and goblets.
A blacksmith creates objects from iron or steel by heating the metal, usually until it glows red, then using a hammer, anvil and other tools to shape the metal while it is soft and malleable. Today, many blacksmiths produce ornamental ironwork, such as decorative pieces, gates, trellises or railings, said Mark Zagurksy, president of the Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmiths’ Association, which has about 200 members. Often, there is confusion between blacksmiths and farriers, who specialize in horseshoeing, Zagursky said.
Inspiration: Brent Kington started out as a metalsmith working in silver and other fine metals. Then he became interested in blacksmithing to the point that he sought out blacksmiths to teach him the skills. This changed his artwork forever. He worked with traditional blacksmith’s materials, tools, and techniques. Why is this traditional art so intriguing, even enjoying a resurgence over the last thirty years? Goal: students will be able to explain via the creation of a timeline and a narrative definition what the trade of blacksmithing was and what a blacksmith did from the Iron Age to the 20th century by researching the history of blacksmithing on the Internet, given a list of sources. Concepts: 1) Blacksmithing has changed over time; 2) Blacksmithing has changed across cultlures; 3) Blacksmithing has changed with technology. Pre-test and Post-test questions to answer and keep in mind as you search: • What does a blacksmith do? • How old is blacksmithing? • How did a person become a
Is he some old artisan with fire-proof hands, big boots, a leather apron and deaf as a post from 50 years of hammering? Maybe, but he is also a young person wearing sensible overalls, ear protectors, eye shields and gloves, who has a mobile ‘phone and Emails his designs to his customers. The gulf between the two is sometimes noticeable. The old craftsmen look at the arty-crafty whipper-snapper with a jaundiced eye, while he, the upstart views the old-uns as slow and out of touch. I like to think of myself as somewhere in between. My mentor was in his 70s and, with a mixture of wit, wisdom, bullying, and home spun psychology, taught me more in the years I knew him than a lifetime of reading books could achieve. It was the motor car that started the slippery slope to near extinction for the blacksmith. Up until that event he was Master of all; no trade managed without him…………………….. Master BlacksmithFellow of The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (London)Freeman of the Cit
