Forging

Blacksmithing, a brief history.

Blacksmithing in its most original form started all the way back with the iron age when a clever sort discovered the ability to extract iron from specific rocks in his extremely hot campfire. This iron could then be crudely crafted into useable implements.

Fast forward 3000 or so years and man began to understand the science of metallurgy and the magnetic properties of iron. The worlds first navigational compass used a forged iron needle!

Over the course of many years, knowledge, furnaces and fuelling methods evolved and the blacksmith became an essential part of every community, being everything from a supplier and repairer of tools to an armourer.

Over time the industrial revolution did away with the need for most types of smith, dealing a crippling blow to the industry which fortunately has seen somewhat of a renaissance in the last 25 years, with a much more artistic based smith appearing who now adorns buildings and gardens with many functional and beautiful examples of iron work.