[TheForge] Education

Fri Mar 1 22:07:01 2002

In a message dated 02-03-01 18:19:23 EST, you write:

<< Also just curious have any of the readers out
 there ever had a customer that specified only
 traditional building techniques (besides buckskinners
 or historical recreations)? >>

How many customers in the US can tell the difference between what was done 
traditionally, and what wasn't.  For that matter...how many customers can 
tell the difference between the quality work you all produce, and the 
imported rusty iron junk coming out of Mexico and the far east?

On the whole, the buying public in this country needs to be taught -- perhaps 
exposed is a better word -- to quality ironwork, and the techniques, modern 
AND traditional, that goes into making it. (my apologies to any European 
smiths, and the Australian and New Zealand smithshere...I don't know what 
goes on in your markets) 
Its my understanding that OctoberFaust, put on by Lou Mueller in St. Louis, 
is designed to specifically do that.  I'd personally like to see it spread, 
though admit I dont' know how.

Jerry V