I wish to continue my blacksmithing but there is so little need for blacksmiths. The only reason I do it is to preserve my heritage and maintain the secrecy of our family steel forgeing techniques(i.e swordsmithing.) I feel as if me being a blacksmith is losing its purpose.
2006-11-22 06:09:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Hi, I have been the wife of a boilermaker/blacksmith for 24 years.
there still is a great need for blacksmiths, check the link below to see where you might be able to put your skills to use or to even add to those skills- take care
2006-11-22 06:14:36 · answer #1 · answered by dances with cats 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Horses still have to be shod; while there are fewer horses these days, there are also FAR fewer blacksmiths available to do it. Hiring a farrier is still an expensive proposition, if what you are interested in is money. More importantly (at least in my opinion) is your desire to carry on your family's tradition, and preserve a skill that is no longer common. Even if you do not do this full-time in the future, I believe that working to maintain a tradition and to preserve an art are worthwhile goals, and I personally choose to encourage you in this endeavor. I don't know where you live, but perhaps, if you are not getting enough work, you should consider relocating to an area where there are more horses.
2006-11-22 06:20:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you could teach these secret techniques to others?? There are colleges that would hire you to teach. Yu could even start a school on your own for private lessons, trust me if you are good, you won't be able to handle the number of students. Swordsmithing is real big these days, lots of collectors out there paying big bucks for prime work.
Ornamental iron work is used on gates, entryways, it's endless. Have you tried to google iron work collectors, hit some craft shows.
2006-11-22 07:12:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please don't give it up; you're a living link to the beginnings of human advancement as a species.
Perhaps you could learn farrier work. If you're near an area with a lot of horses, they could be a constant income stream for you. Horses need their shoes changed out about every six to eight weeks. And as you're shoeing a horse, casually let the owner know you're also skilled at more ornamental and artistic forms of smithing...
2006-11-22 06:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by Rusting 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Virginia where there are a lot of communities that run -- for toursit and historic purposes -- as they did hundreds of years ago. Colonial Williamsburg is one. Of course, all of the people there are actors and don't really live there, but the resources and methods they use authentic. Maybe you could check into that.
2006-11-23 03:27:03 · answer #5 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about having a business where you make historically accurate swords ? Where people commission you to make a certain kind of sword that was used in ancient times? you could put your business online.
2006-11-22 06:13:30 · answer #6 · answered by Dovahkiin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋