Wayne Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Being a blacksmithing site we talk a lot about the craft but at times the talk wanders off into other areas which has set me thinking. With all the smiths logging on to this site what skills other than smithing do we have between us? For example, myself besides forging I built my own smithy - brick laying and roofing, my background is engineering - lathes,milling machines (manual and cnc) woodworking to a basic skill, Use a longbow, ride horses, ex army etc.... A sort of, if you went on something like scrap heap challenge what skills would you bring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnW Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Well you don't sound like somebody that would be living in Lincolnshire. Is that Lincolnshire, IL? It seems like that would be highly urban and kind of tight quarters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Caradoc Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Woodworking advanced, blacksmithing basic skill, tailoring advanced, fabrication moderiate skill, longbow/ crossbow hunting. I am not sure what kind of challenge you are looking for but I have more skills than just this. How bout setting a challenge? Give us a list of materials and see who makes what out of them also so some guidelines as to if we can use extra materials or not. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan W Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Leather and woodworking. I'm into living history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyshackleford Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I'm in a similar boat with Justin in that I am skilled at woodworking, sewing (machine and hand) and almost any other 18th-century skill that I can imagine. If I don't know it, I want to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hi JohnW, that would be Lincolnshire England, Justin it seemed to me that smiths are pretty adaptable and practical folks and I was just wondering what else they could turn to either in their job or as a hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateDJ Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hmmm was a diesel mechanic ~5 years then went into the army as a fuel and electrical systems spec, then was drafted to work on computers and commo equip, some programming and to build web sites. My dad taught me to do wood, concrete and metal working, and I am currently learning blacksmithing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Just about any medieval skill I can find out enough about to learn. Grew up in a family where it was near a sin to buy what you could have built yourself. Learned O/A, and stick welding from Dad. Was an Upholsterer , re finisher, built Street Rods, some motorcycle idiocy (don't ask, LOL ) . In between other jobs I was a pro cook. Did a few years as a tech in a monitor factory. Pulled and baled moss, cut pulp wood . There's more I'm sure. LOL! Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inazuma_x Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Software Engineer here though that is just what i fell into. i am an avid history buff...always have been...if it paid better i would be an archaeologist...in my younger days i did a fair bit of sculpting, for which i won the odd award. mostly in clay and wood...but some stone and plaster as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuk Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 just about anything it takes to run a farm, im a soil analyst, a veternian(sp?), and a welder among other things lol but really im like alot of you and a big history buff, when i get the chance to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 My trade was a draftsman(they called me a senior HVAC, plumbing, fire protection designer) my avocations have been, blacksmithing(for my sculpture), bronze casting, block work, concrete work, turtle herding, gardening, wood working for building, gunsmithing, landscaping, cactus growing, stone work, plumbing, ditch digging and jewelry. If we think about what we can do we actually can do lots more then we really feel capable of doing. I mean take ditch digging. At one time it was an honorable profession. They had special shovels for it not the junk you get at HF or HD. Yes it was all on the job training but you had to pitch the ditch to drain the waste pipe, shore the sides, know how to dig different types of soil and how to dig without killing your back. I had to learn to lay block because they want $18/LF out here for a 3' high block wall. I would lay my own little walls and stucco them until my back got bad. As humans we are a lot more capable then we think and as blacksmiths we are the best of the best at learning and developing new skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratel10mm Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I'm in the refrigeration & air conditioning industry. I can commision it, fix it, and to an extent design it. I know a bit about blade smithing. A bit about blacksmithing. I did a general engineering course rather than A levels, so know / knew a fair bit about manufacturing processes, machine tools, electronics, robotics, materials, etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chyancarrek Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 hmm, its been a long road . . . Here's a list of once dids and some still doing . . . woodworker, product illustrator, graphic design systems specialist , scuba instructor, upholsterer, business analyst, window washer, horse barn caretaker, production supervisor, pine-cone sorter, graphic designer, forklift operator, digital prepress specialist, bindery worker and way too many things to list working on the farms when I was growing up. Dang -I think I'm tired now . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Well I'm training to be an archaeologist and so have experience digging, analysing assemblages, analysing artefacts and pulling theories out of my backside :-D I can shoot a rifle pretty straight, have the basic metalwork and woodwork skills under my belt, can ride a horse, cook fairly well, and used to build model planes to a good quality. My sewing is kinda like using a mint condition Peter Wright as a boat anchor; it'll bring tears to your eyes just thinking about it, but it'll work. I have a fair number of computer skills too, especially in building databases and in programming. Oh, and I can really put my foot in my mouth without effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironrosefarms Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 (edited) Well beyond blacksmith I dabble in leather work, carpentry, antique ford tractors, automotive repair, anything you can cook in a well stocked kitchen I can pretty well match out on an open fire including baked goods, sewing by hand, treadle or electric machine, some graphic arts work, have done sound engineering and installation of sound equipment and video projection systems, demolition, gardening (5 acres), raise cows- hogs- goats- sheep- chickens- ducks- rabbits, amateur photography, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Eagle Scout, computer skills including numerous computer builds proficient at PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop, Word, and have never tackled a program that has stumped me yet (coding is an area I am looking at learning soon), expert marksman 8 years in a row while in the Army, water purification specialist (77W) during the same time frame, drive backhoe, forklift, semi, armored personnel carriers, etc etc, I crochet, I've done some stained glass, and glass etchings, shoot long bow, compound bow, cross bow and can start a fire with a bow....... Actually I don't say I can't, I was raised with the idea that I can do anything I set my mind to do... and if I don't know how yet, I'm always ready to learn... I also know my learning style is hands on and visual, so I look for those opportunities. My wife says I make her sick cause I can do anything, I think she means it as a good thing??? Edited September 12, 2008 by ironrosefarms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I love the fact that every Englishman (myself included) who's replied to this can still shoot a longbow, hundreds of years after Agincourt and the repelation of the old shooting laws Olympic Recurve and (Welsh) Longbow. It wasn't an English invention after all, we were just ruddy good at using them, to competition standard at one point in my case. Chippy, Builder, Sparky, Plumber, Leatherworker, Silverworker, Goldworker, Stoneworker, Writer, Artist, Photographer, Motor Vehicle Engineer, Bus Driver, Marksman, Tree Farmer, Fruit Picker, Hitchhiker, Blacksmith, Sculptors Technical Assistant, Teacher, Beer and Rum Tester, Tall Tale Spinner, the list goes on and on. My Father was responsible for most of my handtooling skills, the rest I picked up along the way Thing I'm most proud of? All of them because they make me 'ME'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Ian, Exter, UK is not in England? Or is Matt the exception that proves the rule... I was given a long bow as a wedding present 24 years ago but haven't shot recently not even my wheellock or falconette (2" bore). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Software Engineer... I started eating / sleeping / dreaming 1's and 0's back when I was knee high to a floppy disk.. Been doing it ever since. I am really starting to enjoy getting back to using my hands and working outside though. I've even done a little wrenching on the truck I picked up a few months ago.. Mainly though, outside of work I'm a full time dad and husband. Unfortunately that doesn't leave a lot of time for hobbies... With our new house I'm going to get a nice introduction to wood working as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask Mark Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I grew up on a farm, so I have basic mechanical and welding skills. My parents also own a lumberyard so woodworking is also an interest. My formal university training is Biology - particularly microbiology and ecology. I worked in a brewery and in the malting industry as a lab tech and microbiologist for a few years. I recently got in to the construction industry on the commercial project management side as an estimator. I'm a home ownew that is too poor/cheap to pay contractors so I have pretty much done it all with renovations (mechanical, electrical, drywall, painting, roofing...). Plus, I have been playing the guitar for almost 20 years. Essentially, I have way more interests that I have time and money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meancoyote Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 i was in the army, and I weld stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triw Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I am a certified pastry chef and grew up working in kitchens. I do dutch oven competitions ( won AZ state championship one year). I brew beer. Other than that I am a jsck of all trades but master of none Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayco Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 At one time or another, I've been a; farmer logger truck driver electrician plumber carpenter guitarist apple butter maker and sometimes, a blacksmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryCarroll Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 To list everything covering 67 years would be a long/boring post. Some of my favorites are archery, all kinds, including making my own stuff. Muzzle loading/buckskinning, again making my own stuff and having a supply shop. Engraving, carving, Wood working, gun stocks and furniture. Of course blacksmithing, bout 50 years worth. Worked as a metal finisher for Ford stamping 35 years that included different types of welding. Martial arts instructor and competitor about 40 years. Stock car/drag racing, building my own stuff. Husband--47 years, 4 children--11 grand--2 great grand kids. Whew!! Trustee at Church should be heading the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdaddy Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 construction and coal mining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Ian, Exter, UK is not in England? Or is Matt the exception that proves the rule... I was given a long bow as a wedding present 24 years ago but haven't shot recently not even my wheellock or falconette (2" bore).Very observant Mr Powers, but you seem to have underestimated one thing -- the English ability to be modest! I've done a bit of archery before, mainly recurve and compound. I'd like to do more (and I've love to do some bowyery and fletching) but there is something of a historical animosity between the Uni Archery Club and the Rifle and Pistol Club. Seeing as I'm Armourer for the latter, I'm not too sure how I'd be welcomed. Also, feel free to let me 'store' your bow or muzzle-loaders, just as with any smithing tools you may not have used recently! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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