[TheForge] Books etc.

[Ron Childers]

STEPHEN, in our shop we manufacture widgets for wombats....

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Stephen Viola
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 5:04 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Books etc.

Hi all,
Well I suppose what I am really getting from this conversation is how
limitied the selection of books are here in Finland. There is an
amazing list of titles mentioned in this discussion and only few that
i have actually heard of. It also seems that regardless of the varied
opinions of Bealers book, there seems to be a general consensus that
he has been a major inspiration to the revival of blacksmithing as an
art form. Especially to newbies like me.
I can suppose that even those of you that are masters in the craft
(Journeymen), still appreciate that there is still a lot to learn.
Which would illustrate the impossible task of compiling the Art of
Blacksmithing into one chunky volume.
So far what has attracted me to blacksmithing is the aspect of problem
solving. Every new project is unique and needs to be planned and
worked through differently. I think Ron mentioned that if I was to ask
the same question to 10 different blacksmiths I would get 11 different
answers. So I can understand why traditionally the trade was passed
down verbally through the generations and not written up in a
professional journal.
At college I wanted to make what the Finns call a 'sipuli' (onion),
Actually I don't know the technical name of it in English.. but there
are various techniques of making these bulbous shapes. And each of the
lecturers there had their own way of making it. Shockingly, one of the
teachers simply said "Se on lian vaikea" (It's too difficult) Funnily
enough he was the most accurate with his advice :o)

Oh another thing I feel I should mention is, taking all this wonderful
information from books and implementing it is not so simple. It is one
think knowing the technique and a totally different matter DOING it.
Knowing where to strike the hammer blows, what the optimal colour of
the heated metal is etc.. these can only be learned by doing and not
reading books.

I realise I am a bit wordy with my replies but it is so great being
able to speak my mother tongue about blacksmithing. At college I have
so many questions but it is often difficult to formulate the question
in Finnish as it is not the 'normal' vocabulary needed.

Enough for now..

Stephen (nattering Wombat)