Subject: Re: blacksmithing

From: [email-masked] (George Dixon)
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 08:35:20 -0500

I agree that 'blacksmithing' entails use of the forge, anvil and hammer
above all.  But as one gets into fine ornamental work the hammer and anvil
become rough-out tools rather than an end in themselves.  The detail work
on the forged 'blank' or roughed-out form is done with butchers, set
hammers, punches, chisels and myriad other hand and hafted tools.  The
metal is often hot worked, although some steps, like incising an accent
line are cold.
Fabrication is a part of the work if by fabrication one refers to fitting
and assembly with forge-welding, rivets tenons, tabs, etc.  Forged parts
coming together and being joined into a larger 'whole' are part of a
fabrication process.
The issue of the cutting-edge of metals technology and 'blacksithing' is a
hot topic.  While all blacksmithing processes are 'metalworking', not all
'fabrication' or metalworking is blacksmithing.
It often seems that modern fabrication shop techniques are used to surplant
skills or as a business expedient, which is fine......but they aren't
blacksmithing.
George Dixon

---

From: Peter Goering <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 1996 07:09:19 -0700 (MST)

George,

Thanks for what I consider to be a good definition/delineation of 
the differences between "blacksmithing" and "modern fabrication techniques".

I have a copy of Julius Scramm's books (available from SkipJack Press, Inc.)
where he goes on at length about this subject. If I remember correctly, 
his main point of contention was whether the piece was forge welded, 
collared, and riveted in such a way that the rivets were VERY prominent, 
or if the joinery was heli-arced or gas welded, and the riveting done so 
that the rivets were hidden to give the appearance of a "magical" (maybe 
Immaculate) attachment. He more or less refers to the latter as sham 
ironwork, and promotes the former as true artist-blacksmith work. This 
is something that I've taken to heart and endeavor to emulate. But 
goodness, sometimes this becomes a tall order and creates sleepless 
nights trying to figure out methodology!
And for those on the list that put together LARGE sculpture, I realize 
that resort to heli-arc and gas welding is the only method available on 
this scale and I don't mean to impugn these methods.

Pete Goering
Flamingo Forge
Polvadera NM 87828