Blacksmithing

Well blacksmithing was an interesting experience. The forge was a huge space with 20+ metre high ceiling and despite having two gas forges running all day, it was freezing cold 🥶 It was about 5 celsius so an unpleasant workspace and I found myself performing a bbq roll in front of the roaring forges! I’ll wear thermals under my cotton clothing next time. I marvelled at the teachers ability to round rectangular bars when drawing them out.The focus was on making things: a leaf key ring and then a poppy flower. I’d’ve preferred a few hours just doing the basics, such as drawing out, round bars, upsetting, forge welding - kihon if you will - and to be honest it’s why I was there; I wanted to feel what it was like shifting steel around at different temperatures, feeling the difference between quenched steel and unquenched. The absolute basics. It’s given me a new found respect to youtube blacksmiths such as Alec Steele and Jesse Hu!

I’m still deciding if I’ll give it another try…
 
I woke up this morning and was ‘one with the steel’ 😑

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