Poll - Where do you learn about blacksmithing

[Glenn]

I feel I learn more about blacksmithing by going to - - -
There were 79 votes as listed below.

21 votes or 26.6% The Internet

20 votes or 25.3% Local group conferences - hammer ins

19 votes or 24.1% Visit other blacksmith's shops

8 votes or 10.1% Blacksmithing Schools - classes

6 votes or 7.6% Books and magazines

4 votes or 5.1% other sources

1 votes or 1.3% Major blacksmithing conferences (ABANA CanIRON etc)

[jj2k]

Glenn,

For me that is almost hard to answer. I get a lot from the net. But I also have an extensive book and video library. I have 3 magazine subscriptions. I always pick up something at another blacksmiths shop. And then there are the too few and far between local group conferences. I've never gotten to go to an ABANA or other major conference except for the three Ironfest events they had. This is one reason Iforgeiron is sooo important to me. The forum, blueprints and galleries are invaluable resources. With great smiths like Bill Epps and Jr and all the others we have imparting their information to those of us less experienced and learned, this can only continue to be a win-win situation for all of us. So I guess my best answer to the poll would be

(H) - all of the above

(grin)

[Tyler Murch]

All of the above as well.

[Jmercier]

I feel that I learn the most by attending hammerins and local conferences. I learned so much in the few days of the NEB spring meet this year that i cant wait to go to the next NEB meet. I'll be attending the ABS hammer-in in essex vermont next month as well and hope to learn tons from the ABS master smiths and JSs there.

[Chris Pook]

I see alot at conferences but really learn the most by attending hands on classes were I can ask the instructor exactly why something isn't working the same as what he/she had shown.

Internet and magazines are how I see stuff to get ideas on what I want to make.

[johnny99]

Went to work for every smith that would have me. Learned one style of doing something , then saw the same thing done a completely different way next time. Worked with a LOT of power hammers, rollers, presses. etc... and all kinds of different materials.

[mike-hr]

I learn a lot by confidently telling a customer 'No problem, have it done in no time at all', and then evolving mistakes until it comes out clean.

I learn a lot by teaching. I signed up as an instructor with the Calif. BSA. I think it's a well structured program, and is some of the most worthwhile volunteer time I've spent. (By the way, congrats to McraigL on his recent Basic I cert!)

I try to take at least 1, maybe 2, 5-day classes a year with folks that are way above my league (not hard to find). I can see my caliber jump a pin or two being around instructors who can evaluate my posture, design techniques, planning, etc.

I learn from IFI's Blueprint program, I've done a few, but am always getting more from the BP's than I put in.

[Pault17]

Up until now, I have learned from reading books (McRaven, Lorelie Sims, others) playing with clay and cruising the IFI and anvilfire sites. There are a few video clips I have downloaded that I play over and over again. But up until now I just try something out.
I have recently joined the local NC ABANA chapter and am waiting on info from them. Maybe I can even find a "real" anvil and stuff.

looking forward to it

[Nick]

I put down books and magazines, of which I read a lot, but I think I get as much on-line, especially IFI. But the real learning is taking what I've read about and doing it at the anvil.

[Hutch]

Coming from a "I know nothing beginner" IFI has been a invaluable source of info! If your are starting from scratch like I am I would recommend research research research. I've spent about three solid months reading/searching the net sites and asking anybody I could find that had a background in blacksmithing,welding or metal fab. questions that mignt be helpful in the process. I've down loaded the free books from the links available from IFI and read them over and over(somtimes I'm a little slow).
Just in the last few days I've put together a few parts of the adventure, got a old piece of rail track...coal car rail a litle small but it beats a rock...a old bbq grill and some sch.40 nipples,T, and a 8'' flange for the fire pot(soon as i get a digital camera I'll try to put the pics. on). Went to one black smith demo at a steam engine show to watch and will join BAM through the fine people that I met there who where more than eager to help with any questions that I had. Baby steps and careful planing seem to be helping me.
But I'm sure there will be nothing like hitting the iron that will teach me the most.