Mastercrafts - Blacksmithing

Wonderful, simply wonderful!

I must admit I am biased, as I did a bit of this during my Materials Science and Metallurgy degree ( as you might expect!) during the placement in the University Foundry ( yes, we had such a thing and yes, I spent a lot of my degree in there, doing sand castings, forging, sintering, glass blowing and smithing...I loved it!)

I love, loved, LOVED it I nearly opted for the pure Metallurgy degree, but as I was being paid for by the Civil Service and I worked in a Materials Science area..I ended up doing the combined degree...

I also remember being allowed to have a go at the Farrier where I used to take my horses to be hot shod. He was impressed I wasn't scared of the sparks, as I recall...

CM also has had a go an so we both thought this one was excellent.

And less anti female.... as well.....much to (I think?) MD's (admitted) surprise....although yet again it was 2 men 1 woman...

I digress

So...go and watch it on the i player or UK nova or whatever as it was REALLY GOOD

The three novice blacksmiths seemed very supportive of each other, and seemed to have gelled as a group, which was satisfying to watch. I hadn't realised that you don't necessarily need brute strength to work metal like this, but that in part it was quite delicate.
Mr D did glassblowing as part of his degree - I kept well clear as I kept wanting to correct the shape with my fingers! This is why i don't think I should do blacksmithing. (Hell at flower arranging though!)

I loved this programme again! (Although annoyingly have realised that I missed the one between woodwork and this one - might have to go on iplayer and see if it's there) Was certainly refreshing to see that you didn't need brute strength to be a blacksmith!

Mrs C

Dandelion wrote:... I kept well clear as I kept wanting to correct the shape with my fingers! This is why i don't think I should do blacksmithing...

Hah, I thought I was the only one who did that, I have come to the conclusion is that I need to feel the material that I work with, so while the smithing was bloody brilliant and it made me want to learn it, I know that I couldn't be any good ..

Still an excellent episode, does what I think it aims to, makes me want to learn each craft presented...