This thread kinda got me thinking. At what point in the history of blacksmithing, that some clever smith in some time in some country got the notion to use something to protect the materials he was trying to weld. That is a pretty HUGE advance of technology if you think about it!!! Even if it was sand or rice straw ash like Thomas said, or whatever,, that is an amazing piece of advancement.
Think for a moment, making implement for farming got easier, or tools, or hinges for doors for houses. Or weapons. Or,, the ability to make even larger items of iron might have become easier, or more important, more consistant and predictable. Anvils, even!! Then all these factors gave us as a race that little more of an edge to push forward. All over something as simple as flux.
See,, proof again that blacksmiths are the coolest people.
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