Jump to content
I Forge Iron

Blacksmithing gems and pearls


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 1.4k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • 4 weeks later...

You have now made something that did not previously exist until you put your hand and mind to the hot metal. Therefore, you ARE a blacksmith. Now, you can spend the rest of your life becoming a better blacksmith. George N.M.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

A visitor to my shop and he noticed my Vulcan had the horn pointed to the right, when he turned around he saw the Hay Budden that the horn was pointed to the left. He asked why the Hay Budden horn was facing left. Simple I told him it's a left handed anvil. Irondragon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I was going through some old notes I wrote down probably 25 or 30 years ago and came across a couple good quotes I had forgotten:

"If you are working hard on something you don't care about it is called stress.  If you are working hard on something you love it is called passion."

"I have the hands of a surgeon, the steadiness of a sniper, and the skills of an artist.  What is your superpower?"

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to disagree with that, Frosty. Even working on something you love can be a frustrating bore. To quote Adam Savage, it's only when you have the dedication to put in the time grinding out the everyday work that makes up 98% of any job that you get to experience the joy of the creativity that makes up the remaining 2%, and if you're really lucky, the joy of the 2% carries you through the frustration of the 98%. One might quibble about the specific breakdown of percentages, but I think the basic idea is sound.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it depends also on the contrast between what you HAVE to do to put food on the table and a roof over your head and what you WANT to do that gives you enjoyment.  Many folk are trapped in a situation where what they do day to day is an unpleasant slog to which they do not look forward to when they get up in the morning.  In that case whatever they do for enjoyment is all that much sweeter because of the contrast.  I always pretty much enjoyed being a geologist or an attorney, although there were less than optimum days, and I always enjoyed going out to the shop but the contrast wasn't as strong as if I had been trapped in a job I did not enjoy.

And you are correct that there are boring parts to what we enjoy.  For example, I don't make that many knives because I do not enjoy all the bench work involved.  I'd rather be hitting hot metal.

Over the years I have become a pretty good cook, not because I enjoy cooking itself that much, but I really like eating good food.

Although there was time between the bottom falling out of geology and my going back to law school where I made my living with my hammer (I didn't make much more than unemployment but it felt better than being on the dole) I have always tried to keep my blacksmithing a fun past time that may generate some supplemental income rather than being a JOB that I HAD to do.  That said, I have taken on a few blacksmithing projects that turned into a slog where I was glad when they were done because I didn't have to do them any more.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like all old saws, it isn't a universal truth it's an old saying. I've never had a job that was all bad or all good. Like Scott says if you find something to like such as a challenge you can make almost any work satisfying, even good.

I've never had a job that didn't have it's good and bad points, some were just worse than others. One in particular just wore out the good in it and a truly outstandingly bad boss pushed me to change jobs which worked out for the good on many levels. I didn't like the new position as well, almost never traveled, met new people, etc. but lived about 10 minutes away, slept in my own bed every night and spending time at home I got to get to know the internet where I met Deb my better half. 

Good job bad job they all have something to offer besides a paycheck. 

And so I leave you with my first post of the morning ramble.

Frosty The Lucky.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...