[TheForge] Reproductions, was PLEASE! Stop the Stupid comments

Tue Apr 30 17:18:01 2002

My simplest explanation is this.
If the end product is most important, then do it however you want to get it
done as efficiently as possible.
In other words, if your primary concern in blacksmithing is to make as much
money as possible doing it, then do what it takes to do that.

If the process is the most important, then stick to the traditional process.
If your primary concern is learning how things were done when blacksmiths had
no choice but to do them that way, then using more modern methods isn't going
to teach you much.

If the goal is to make as much money doing it as traditionally as possible,
then you've got more decisions to make about where the dividing line is.

By the way, I highly recommend the show on PBS "Frontier House".
The same principle applies.
Why would anyone put themselves through the experience of trying to live as was
done in the late 19th century and forego all the modern conveniences?
I'm sure we all know the answer to that one.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of D.E. Barnes
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 4:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TheForge] Reproductions, was PLEASE! Stop the Stupid comments

That is exactly what I am saying. The only person who will have any
knowledge of the process is the smith producing the work. If traditional
process/material is important to her/him, then use traditional
process/material for the pure satisfaction of doing so. Otherwise what does
it matter? You are producing a product to sell. Your client won't
know/care/understand traditional process/material, so unless it is a deeply
held philosophy, why should you?

Regards,
Donn