A Blacksmith is a craftsman who manufactures products from iron through the processes of hot and cold forging performed on the surface of an anvil. Blacksmiths who are specialists in the process of forging shoes for horses were known as farriers. The two terms had been derived from the words iron and Ferrum (Latin) which respectively means 'black metal" and 'iron'.
The main equipment of a blacksmith consists of a forge, furnace for heating smelted iron, an anvil, a heavy / firmly secured steel-surfaced block upon which the iron piece is processed, tongs for keeping the iron in place on the anvil, hammers, chisels, and other instruments for cutting, shaping, flattening, or welding the iron into the required final product.
Blacksmiths are more focused on the manufacturing processes of:
nails, hammers, screws, bolts
fasteners such as sickles, plowshares, axes
artisan tools such as candlesticks
household objects such as swords, shields, armor, wheel rims
metal parts of wagons and carriages such as spikes, chains, and cables that are used in ships
ironwork used in furniture and building trades
Study Levels
There are a few programs that offer courses on Blacksmith such as:
Bachelor in Blacksmithing
Bachelor in Design
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Certificate in Blacksmithing
Diploma in Blacksmithing
Master in Blacksmithing
Master in Design
Master of Arts
Master of Fine Arts
Specialisations
There are a few programs that offer courses on Blacksmith such as:
Bachelor in Blacksmithing
Bachelor in Design
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Certificate in Blacksmithing
Diploma in Blacksmithing
Master in Blacksmithing
Master in Design
Master of Arts
Master of Fine Arts
Specialisation
Armorsmithing
Weaponsmithing
Axesmithing
Hammersmith
Swordsmithing
Employability
Blacksmiths have different specialties dealing with a variety of useful and artistic items. Some forge tools and utensils, horseshoes, and even decorative and fancy fences; others simply stick to embellishing metal objects and sculptures.
Most blacksmithing in today's world is being done on an industrial scale by workers on heavy machinery used for cutting, shaping, and transforming metal into many desirable products.
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- Even technology has been playing a big influence for commercial work such as:
Drafting and reading/understanding sketches and designs
Setting up and operating different machines for moulding, casting, and cutting
Adjusting the settings for speed, times, temperature, and feed rates on machines
Programming machines that are controlled by computers to perform certain tasks and functions for metal work pieces
Performing test runs
Smoothing, polishing, and finishing metal work pieces
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- Artistic blacksmiths prefer to perform their work in small-time or local workshops, individually or with a team of blacksmiths. Some of the largely and commonly known employers for blacksmiths and metal workers are factories, fabricators, and manufacturers in the machinery, primary metal, and transportation and fabricated metal industries. However, the work of a blacksmith is a dangerous job as it revolves around a hot and dirty environment and the constant need to use heavy machinery as well as open fires. The highest rates for injuries of blacksmiths occur due to the machinery processes of welding, soldering, and brazing.