[TheForge] blacksmith's boot dance/ eye protection, too

[xlch58 at swbell.net]

On 3/31/2011 8:17 AM, Saint Phlip wrote:
> And the worst burn I've gotten to date was when someone made me wear
> boots to work on their forge. I've been barefoot ever since.
>
> Still have all my toes, too ;-)
>
I teach scout to forge and get looked at askance because I will not let 
them wear gloves.   In twelve years (where I have also taught 
kindergartners too)  I have had lots of small burns but no serious 
ones.   Eye protection yes, hearing no.   I want them to hear me clearly 
and I don't let them hit a bare anvil even if they see me do it on 
occasion, I don't need the divots.   In any event the anvils I use for 
them happen to be a couple of cast iron ones and a couple of Fishers.   
Hammer on hot iron doesn't make that much noise, particularly on those 
anvils, though I do have a 190 lb swedish anvil that makes so much noise 
I can't even walk by it without plugs.   If I hear a lot of noise coming 
from their anvil I tell them stick it back in the fire.

Lots of opinions, but willing to be educated.

Charles