How does one get started with blacksmithing?

Question

My middle-school age son wants to use a hammer and anvil to shape some metal. I'm looking for ideas on how he start learning this art. We're both novices in this field. Any ideas, suggestions, links, references, etc. would be most beneficial. (His main ideas are to craft some spear heads, swords, other medieval weaponry - yes, I'll keep a close eye on him.)
{I may have this categorized incorrectly; just can't find a category that seems to fit....}

Answer 1

If you are able to have a fire and are going to supervise Remind him of fire safety (ie not on windy days area clear of fire hazards) as well as work safety (clean workspace) and sensible clothing. Usually you use a forge (a fire with air forced through to super heat the fire) and normally using coke for fuel but it tends to burn with black smoke for those not shown how to keep it burning clean, So I DON'T suggest this for the novice or anywhere near other people (check on local polution laws). However my son persists with a well ventilated wood fire in our backyard (although slower it is easier to control). You can go to the expense of an anvil but as a beginner you can just as easily use a foot long piece of railwayline or or similar bit of steel secured around waist height (usually to a hardwood stump). ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION as flakes of hot metal (scale) fly off, and a good glove (you always wear a glove on the hand holding the metal but some prefer not to on their hammer hand as they say it causes blisters) a pair of sturdy boots, EARMUFFS unless you wish to be deaf, sturdy pliers (to hold the metal and retrieve it from fire) and a mallot (heavy but not tiring to lift many times and flat faced) and a metal bucket the bigger the better to cool off metal (BEWARE OF THE STEAM it can blast out if you plunge the hot metal in it is better to ease it in slowly as steam BURNS JUST LIKE FIRE). The basic technique is to let the hammer fall or you will get the sorest arm, it reduces the jarring also dont hold the hammer tight just firm. The hammer should fall in the same spot on the "anvil" (striking the anvil) whilst you move the hot piece of steel so that where you wish to hit is in position (the strike point) sounds easy, takes practice. If you take a piece of clay and punch it in the middle it starts to spread out from the point,but of you keep punching the exact same spot it become much tinner than the rest as you haven't disributed the displaced clay, the hot metal does this when you hit it and you therefore must be careful as it is harder to work metal back into a too thin bit than clay. Experiment with some bit of scrap and see what happens when you hit it, how it reacts, how The steel is hot when it is cherry red (if memory serves me it's somewhere around 1000 degrees celcius) it is too hot if it is sparking (just remove from fire, allow to cool slowly when this happens as you have already burnt the steel no point burning yourself and you can continue to work it when it finally stops) Only use steel, not stainless (if it's rusty it's trusty) as most other metals and alloys give off toxic fumes. I strongly suggest a dust mask and drink water often when working. You should also go to your local library and finding a book or two on the subject to learn more specifics and to get a better understanding (often found in farming categories as well as art and metal work, weapon manufacturing).
If this seems too much for you to deal with on your own then perhaps you could try some of your local farriers who, as the art is dying out, often would love to teach the skills to a young man with enthusiasm also willing to help out a bit.

Answer 2

There is a midevil faire - King Richard's Faire that comes to Carver, MA each fall - I think they are in NY too - but anyway, there is an authentic blacksmith there - y ou could perhaps check out a faire in your neck of the woods or try to contact the one from King Richards for more information. Maybe check your local Vocational schools.

http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net/

Answer 3

i dont know exactly but you could go to williamsburg they have a blacksmith their and when he is older he could get an apprenticesship sorry im not much help am i?

Answer 4

Here is a site that may be helpful: http://www.appaltree.net/aba/index.htm

Also, you should try searching for "blacksmith" in the yellowpages in your area.

Answer 5

try this link. http://www.abana.org