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As a Blacksmith what do you wish you would have known before starting your job?

I'm a sophomore interested in pursuing blacksmithing looking for more information on how to get there.

#blacksmith #metalworking

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David’s Answer

Great question! Blacksmithing has a few ways to get involved. A lot depends on what you have available to you in your area. I found out about blacksmithing when a friend invited me to join him at an "intro"/101 class at a local maker space. It was a great place to take an intro, because the location also has ongoing weekly blacksmithing nights where you can go in as a member of the maker space and practice. Keep in mind, it is a craft and requires lots of hours practicing swinging a hammer, practicing new techniques, etc. That is how I got my start. I did that part time a few nights a week for a few years then decided to invest in specific classes. I found a training school a few hours away and took a weekend class there. For example, my first weekend class was learning to forge various leaf forms that can be added onto work. I also took a campfire cook set class a separate weekend. Now, I am 5 months into a 12 month certification program that will have me trained to be able to work in an existing blacksmith business, or start my own business on the side. Keep in mind there are some people who to to colleges and universities and get trained officially through those programs.

David recommends the following next steps:

Find a local blacksmith shop in your area and just go talk to them! We LOVE to talk about blacksmithing, just ask some open ended questions and they will be hard to shut up! :-)
Find a local maker space that has a blacksmith shop (if available) and go in and talk to someone.
Look for local blacksmith training schools, or classes offered by local smiths.
If you live in a rural area, consider talking to a farrier (someone who shoes horses)...they may know of a place to consider.
Go to the ABANA website and search for schools through their resources...they are the Artists Blacksmith Association of North America.
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