Blacksmith

Blacksmith would wake up well before dawn to get the furnace going. This means chopping wood, gathering or buying coal. Blacksmiths spent most of their time making eating utensils, door handles, hinges and tools (such as hammers, wedges, picks, shovels etc.) On the rare occasion a blacksmith would be commissioned to making weapons, they would be arrowheads.

Career

Qualifications

On the Job training

Career Progression

Apprentice, Assistant, Beginner, Learner, Journeyman, Associate, Advanced, Practitioner, Master, Mentor, Expert, Trainer

Payment & Reimbursement

It all depends on the type of job asked to do and the quality done for it.

Other Benefits

Blacksmiths do not go into battle. They are needed to make and repair weapons.

Perception

Purpose

They will mostly make and fix weapons and make nails to help put together housing.

Social Status

They were held in high rank as their items were always needed.

Operations

Tools

An anvil - a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering Tongs Bellows A variety of hammers varying in size for shaping and finishing Swages - Tools, variously shaped or grooved on the end or face, used by blacksmiths for shaping their work by holding the swage upon the work, or the work upon the swage, and striking with a sledge hammer Swage block - a perforated block of iron, having grooved sides and adapted for use in heading bolts and swaging objects of a large size Fullers - A half-round set hammer, used by a blacksmith for forming grooves and spreading iron. Also called a 'creaser' Sledge Hammers Punches - Tools for making (usually circular) holes Drifts - Slightly tapered tools of steel for enlarging or shaping a hole in metal, by being forced or driven into or through it. Also called a broach Axe Chisels Bit - A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes Auger bit - a bit with a cutting edge or blade Molds for making popular and everyday items Nails Table, stools, shelves etc.

Materials

Coal and Lumber.

Workplace

The Blacksmith worked in a forge. This is where the metal is worked by a blacksmith by heating and hammering via a furnace consisting of a special hearth where metal is heated before shaping The name of a forge was also referred to as a a smithy. Sometimes the Blacksmith worked out of a Forge Wagon. The forge wagon was a wagon fitted up for transporting a blackmiths forge and tools. A Portable forge was a light and compact blacksmith's forge, with bellows, etc., that may be moved from place to place.

Provided Services

Blacksmiths made nails, screws, bolts, and other fasteners; sickles, plowshares, axes, and other agricultural implements; hammers and other tools used by artisans; candlesticks and other household objects; swords and arrowheads.

Dangers & Hazards

They could burn themselves if not careful.

Type

Artisan

Demand

High demand.