Mark Ling Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 When did you stop calling yourself a beginner smith? Was it due to experience, a certain task that you finally achieved, when you started your own business...? Then what did you call yourself? for the people who are still beginners, Will you ever stop calling yourself a beginner? Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 I don't think I ever called myself a 'begginer' but I did use 'hobby' for a while but quit when I decided I wanted to start selling stuff in the near future. Probably not helpful but it's all I have lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubalcain2 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 i still consider myself a beginner and i've been smithing for 2 1/2 ish years. I don't smith as much as i should and want too. if i did i would be way further along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Not yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 When blacksmithing and metal art became my prime source of income. We all can learn from new smiths with a fresh new look at what we do. Keep an open mind and learn . In the words of Francis before he passed " I have so much to learn " Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I figure I keep it vague enough to work; I dabble in blacksmithing, I have it as a hobby, I like to blacksmith- Only when I'm trying to impress someone do I pull out, "I'm a Blacksmith". More often, I do some blacksmithing... And then the questions come..... Do you make swords? *Sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel OF Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 You'll probably find most people's answers will be multifaceted with one of the main considerations being their scope of work. If they're specializing in something then they'll probably get beyond beginner status quicker than someone who's a "general blacksmith" & has a larger range of processes to become proficient & practised at. Whenever I think "yeah I reckon I know what I'm doing" I soon enough see something incredible on Instagram that makes me think "I know nothing". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I've been "teaching myself Blacksmithing" for a couple of decades now ..... And foresee no imminent change in status. --------------------------------------- I would submit, ... that those who think they've got it "figured out", ... aren't setting the bar very high. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeroclick Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I've only just got into blacksmithing so definitely fall under the category of beginner. But I don't think I will ever stop calling myself one there seems to be so much to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beech Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 And the more you learn the more you learn how much there is that you still have to learn.... I agree that I am and am likely to remain a beginner for a while... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I'm sure many here are familiar with the concept of "beginner's mind", but for those who aren't, this is a pretty succinct definition: "Shoshin (初心) is a concept in Zen Buddhism meaning 'beginner's mind'. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would. The term is especially used in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial arts." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I dont often call myself a smith at all, mostly a welder fabricator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donniev Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I'd probably stop calling myself that when I can make some of the things I've seen in books or in mark asperys videos in YouTube....So...Maybe in ten years? Lol, it's a hobby that I'll enjoy for the foreseeable future, but until I start making some advanced projects and they don't "feel" so advanced, I'm a beginner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I don't know of *any* smith ever than "knew it all". Expert ornamental smiths might not deal with obscure metallurgy of certain tool smiths or work in sizes and shapes of industrial smiths. (Shoot I have even met a smith that worked in a Hospital in WWII forging speciality braces, splints, etc). A superb bladesmith might have trouble making a rose their first attempt. My guess is the transition from "beginning" is when you start thinking "I could do this that away" instead of running off and watching videos of how other people are doing stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckcreekforge Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 After about a dozen years, if asked during introductions at a hammer in, I would say my name and describe myself as an advanced beginner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 3 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: the transition from "beginning" is when you start thinking "I could do this that away" Good answer. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 17 hours ago, Ridgewayforge said: I figure I keep it vague enough to work; I dabble in blacksmithing, I have it as a hobby, I like to blacksmith- Only when I'm trying to impress someone do I pull out, "I'm a Blacksmith". More often, I do some blacksmithing... I'm with you on that. Lots of people like at fairs and such, ask me, or tell there children "look, he's a blacksmith" and most of the time i will respond that i am not a blacksmith, but that I do blacksmithing. It does get on my nerves a little when people call me a blacksmith. to me a blacksmith is some one who could make a comfortable living at the trade. That's not me. It also Annoys me when people who just started out call themselves blacksmiths. But who am I to judge. 6 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: My guess is the transition from "beginning" is when you start thinking "I could do this that away" instead of running off and watching videos of how other people are doing stuff. I like that response a lot. I am starting to come up with a few ideas on my own, and modifying ones I find to match my set up. Also beginning to make the ideas (in my onion) more pleasing to the eye, and adding my own little embellishments. I'm still a ways off from no longer having to watch videos and read tutorials on how to do something. Littleblacksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in Oregon Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I'm just beginning to begin -- and have been stuck at this stage for years. Gives me a great excuse to keep rereading Lorelei Sims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camerican Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I have had a focused hobby in blacksmithing for almost 3 years now and I still call myself a beginner. Once I get to the point that I don't need to make another tool to do what I need to do will I call myself a blacksmith... long way to go yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 You're *doomed*! Blacksmithing has been my primary hobby for 37 years now and I still do projects where I have to make tools to make the project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 17 hours ago, Camerican said: I have had a focused hobby in blacksmithing for almost 3 years now and I still call myself a beginner. Once I get to the point that I don't need to make another tool to do what I need to do will I call myself a blacksmith... long way to go yet. Uh HUH, 3 years and still harboring silly misconceptions. Here's the reality of the craft you will ALWAYS need another tool(s). Sure, I have enough tools and equipment, ask Deb but I'm a rare exception to the rule. . . wait . . . whats THAT? Oooooh, wonder where I'll put it? (out of Deb's sight.) I've been beginning blacksmithing all my life but I don't usually make much of it, it's when I finish some blacksmithing I get excited enough to tell people. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camerican Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Lol, at least a few of you old timers have a sense of humor. It really is one of those things you never stop learning. I can assume that there are some of you that have probably forgotten more about blacksmithing than I will ever know as a hobbyist. My response was tongue-in-cheek. I just feel that I will be a blacksmith when people start calling me one. you just never really know until you get there you eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Shoot some of us have forgotten more about blacksmithing that we ever knowed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John in Oly, WA Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I will always be a beginner - so much to learn. But I know the person who can tell me how many heats it'll take to make this or that definitely isn't a beginner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I know the exact moment: after about 5 years apprenticing to Bill. I was working on a project for him, and a mutual smith friend stopped by, and was teasing me, asked why I was using Bill's shop to do my work? Said that I should get my own shop, I said its his work I am just his apprentice, and he yelled at BIll told him to stop being so cheap and making me his slave labor, I was a journeyman and if I am doing his work for him, I need to get paid for it. The Terry turned and told me to put down the iron and help him drink his bottle of 18 yr old Glennlevit scotch while Bill finishes his project himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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