KingBlake Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Howdy all, i'm based out of St Charles, and i'm basically looking to post the same post as ZWInters5314 I'm new to the craft, and looking for where to learn, and how to pick up this craft. i don't just want to learn it as a hobby, I want to learn it as a possible career if it turns out i have any skill or talent in it. i'm looking forward to hearing from anyone about how to step into this world, i already know about BAM, and have reached out to them on facebook, but it's like 10:30pm, and i don't expect to get a response this late at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Welcome to the group from North Texas. Good to have you here. You've come to the right place for answers to your questions. There is more information here than you can imagine and lots of generous, knowledgeable folks to help guide you along your journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Welcome aboard from 7500' in SE Wyoming. Glad to have you. Your query contains two parts. First, the best way to learn the craft. Second, how to make a living as a blacksmith. The first is a lot easier to answer than the second. As to the first, the fastest way to develop blacksmithing skills is to do them. Get metal hot and start hitting it. If you decide you like it the next ideal step would be to take blacksmithing courses at a folk school or other place shere they teach the craft. However, that takes time and money. You can do a lot on your own by attending various blacksmithing events, demonstrations, and meetings. You may be able to find a mentor who can teach you one on one. Nowadays, you can learn a lot by watching You Tube videos. There are some very good ones and there are ones that are bad enough to be dangerous. I like Black Bear Forge, JPL Services (our own Jennifer), Torbjorn Ahman from Sweden, and Christ Centered Iron Works. Some people like Alec Steele's video but I, personally, find his presentation style to be kind of annoying. There are also lots of good print books. Let us know if you want recommendations. The answer to your second question is much more complex given the realities of modern business. Basically, you will be running a small business based on your crafting abilities with all the pluses and minuses that brings. You are your own boss and doing work you love but you are always on the thin edge of disaster if you are injured, get sick or there is some kind of economic down turn. If you work for yourself you wake up every morning unemployed. There are people who are able to do this successfully but it is a difficult row to how. The late Francis Whittaker (one of the gods of 20th century American blacksmithing) said that there is always room at the top. However, the climb to the top can be tough and long. At a minimum, you need to take some business courses to understand how it all works. However, don't always believe the standard business plan and implementation "rules." But understand that being a successful business person requires a different set of skills and knowledge than a particular set of craft or professional skills. There are lots of folk who are excellent at their craft or profession, plumbers, lawyers, engineers, carpenters, mechanics, etc. but who really suck at running a business. Read the threads in the IFI topic of the "Business Side of Blacksmithing." There is a lot of good knowledge and wisdom there. Also, you will want to decide what area of blacksmithing you want to specialize in such as blade smithing/cutlery or architectural ironwork (if you want to see some marvelous architectural work look up the postings from Alexandr (from St. Petersburg, Russia) in "What I did in the shop today." I suggest that once you have the basics of the craft down that you treat it as a hobby and if you can make money at it while having another job to support yourself you gradually expand the hobby to generate more of your income. Although there have been times in my life where I supported myself with my blacksmithing skills I didn't make much more than unemployment benefits but it felt better than being on the dole. I have always tried to avoid the craft becoming a "job" that I had to do to pay the bills. I have always tried to keep the joy and enjoyment in it as a hobby that brings in some cash and pays for itself and acts as an outlet to relieve the stresses of everyday life. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 George gave you excellent advice. I myself would never make it as a professional smith I've never taken classes because of time and distance factors but between IFI (so many generous, kind people here) and you tube, I have learned a lot. It just takes much longer without someone right there to tell you "hit it here". JLP Services, Black Bear Forge and Christ Centered Ironworks have all been my most influential go to videos. Jennifer (JLP services) has been most generous in speaking with me one on one with her vast knowledge and experience and I'm grateful to her for it. As far as books, my favorite has been the Mark Aspery books. So as George said, heat some metal and hit it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 Welcome from the Ozark Mountains. One thing you haven't told us is your age. If like me at the age of 41 when I started in blacksmithing, it would have been almost impossible to learn enough to open my own shop and live off the profits of it. You might read through this sub-forum for the pit fall of the business. I'm not trying to discourage you, but as most businesses Blacksmithing is a "dog eat dog environment. https://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/45-the-business-side-of-blacksmithing/ I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBlake Posted June 3 Author Share Posted June 3 On 5/28/2024 at 3:57 PM, Irondragon Forge ClayWorks said: One thing you haven't told us is your age. Howdy, yes, i just turned 30 this past April, so while i'm still in no ways considered old, i'm no spring chicken either. Thank you everyone for your advice and your wonderful information, i very much look forward to growing into this area, and this world of the forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 3 Share Posted June 3 Welcome! Don't forget to put your location info in your profile settings; that will help folks locate you properly in other, non-geographically denominated discussions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shainarue Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 Welcome from Northwest Missouri! I'm a member of BAM and saw that they put out a thread on the members' forum with the FB message thread. Hopefully one of our many members in the St Charles area connected with you. Maybe I'll see you at one of the meetings. You can technically attend without joining but I highly recommend joining if for no other reason than access to the members forum, the newsletter, and the coal discount. I usually attend Feb, Aug, Nov, and the conference in May. Those are all the meetings that are less than a 3 hr drive for me. 3 hours is my limit for a single day excursion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 On 6/3/2024 at 5:53 AM, KingBlake said: i'm no spring chicken either Shoot I was 50 when you were born and I'm still able to swing a hammer. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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