[TheForge] The True Path in the 24th century.

[Aaron Silver]

At 03:29 PM 3/3/2002 -0600, you wrote:
>  One of my mentors told me "Not every job will be a masterpiece, but you
>must know how to make a masterpiece."
>Bob Bergman

My question would be why would a non-forge weld rule out the designation of 
a masterpiece? I agree that a poorly done arc weld would not qualify.

Maybe the problem is that we've all seen so many bad welding jobs that 
we're soured on the process. It is so easy for someone to tack two pieces 
of metal together with an arc welder that we've classified the entire 
process as beneath a "True Blacksmith".

I submit that it takes great skill, technique, control and knowledge to be 
able to do a piece such as the banister picture that started this thread. 
To make a weld and to clean it up to the point that was shown takes the eye 
and dedication of someone who takes pride in their product. And if the weld 
had been done in a coal fire or a gas forge, it would have required some 
cleanup work also, so that again doesn't detract from the piece.

Anyway, that's my $.02.

Aaron Silver