I hate how wolves always get a bad rap. Good words though Irn. Attitude should be well tempered every day to everyone. In a burgeoning semi unknown crafts such as blacksmithing/swordsmithing/farrying, one bad attitude pitched towards one person can go a long way for the reputation and public perception of said crafts. Also, maybe more importantly, I always make it a point to be extremely polite and as helpful as possible to anyone interested in trying smithing or wanting to try smithing. My shop is always open to most anyone, beginners or masters, and I am more than happy to share any information I have. I was very lucky to have met a true master smith, and visit his shop when I was just starting out. He is second to last in a 300 year old line of armorers, and opened his shop to me, and gave me a tour. at the time I only had my little 22 pound anvil, and some yardsale tongs and hammers, and was working on a flat topped saw horse/work bench I made, working hardware and sheetrock nails with a propane torch as a heat source. So getting to see this modern working blacksmith's shop was a waking dream. His anvil was huge, HUGE! It shined in the sun coming through a dirty window. His coal forge was also huge! He himself used the coal forge mainly, but had a little propane forge for when it was needed, but preferred the coal forge. He had a 25 pound Little Giant, which shook and made the most fantastic noise! I drooled over it! All of the tools, hammers, tongs, 2 huge cone mandrels, welders, torches, press shear, big wooden slack tub, everything! It was all so beautiful. And in his office, all of these amazing things! A medieval helmet, a peace pipe, with all of these initials carved all over it, that he said was used every time (back when his father owned a shop) there was a fight in the shop, so they would smoke the peace pipe after there was a fight, then carved they're initials on it, afterwards, fight over. There were all kinds of iron work I didn't even think of, pot racks, game racks, door hardware, spatulas and forks from railroad spikes, a few how it is done boards, the before mentioned helmet, hooks and even a few maces! it was amazing, and he gave me a Centaur Forge catalog, and a few back issues of The Hammer's Blow. It was an amzing day, and he was such a nice guy, I had gone to his and his nephew's shop that not knowing what to expect, and was amazed!!!!!!!!! He showed me how to spark test steels, and did a little hand hammer forging, and a little power hammer forging! It was a definite catylising moment in my life. His work was beautiful! As was the work of his once apprentice now master himself. But sadly now he is passed, and at his funeral, there was an article that was written in the paper about him and his nephew's shop, and about a man with a prosthetic leg who came to they're shop one day, having problems with the leg. They diagnosed and fixed the problem and when asked by the man how much he owed them, they said "nothing". When asked during the interveiw why no charge, they said "How can you charge a guy for fixing his leg!?". They are great guys, I am happy to call them friends. Now his nephew and master smith himself runs the shop. I bought my post vice from him. I try to have the same attitude to anyone when it comes to my life and business, as well as making my own way.
 |