[TheForge] Today's trivium: Lego power hammer & blacksmith

[Caitlin Morris]

I got two blacksmith sets for Christmas this year.  I know some of you have
seen this already (mea culpa) but I will repost here for your entertainment
(with a few minor edits):


Dear Lego: some feedback on the "Ninjago Blacksmith Shop" and the "Kingdoms
Blacksmith Attack" sets I got for Christmas:

‎1) Of the two sets, I only got one character that can be identified by his
attire as a blacksmith. The other characters appear to be "knight",
"ninja", and "monster". While we blacksmiths are sometimes just plain
blacksmiths, I admit that you are making a good point that sometimes we are
ninjas of metal, knights to the rescue, and monsters when something burns
up in the fire.

I object to the fact that all of the characters appear unhappy.
Blacksmithing is JOYFUL. (Except when something burns up in the fire.)

‎2) I am seriously impressed that the kingdoms set has a water-powered
power hammer. However, I think that you will find that you get a wee bit
more functionality out of your power hammer if you use something other than
a standard Hofi-style hammer. Something with a bit more mass, perhaps.

It also seems undesirable to commit your only anvil to exclusive use with
the power hammer. I understand that the shop size is limited (boy, we've
all had to deal with that problem!) but I just don't think you are using
the space to its full capacity.  Folks tend to have a power hammer AND an
anvil if they have a power hammer at all.

‎3) No tongs, no post vice! I mean, I understand that this is not supposed
to be an accurate representation, so yeah, I am not going to demand files,
swage blocks, hardie tools, or even custom-cast blocks that look like
anvils (I am sort of impressed that they can built an anvil, but I think I
would be more impressed by a cast piece), but the bare minimum of post vice
and tongs doesn't seem like it is too much to ask.  I mean, how is this
poor guy going to handle the sword he's making? No wonder he looks unhappy.

‎4) The kingdom set has the forge outside, which means having to walk all
the way around his shop to get his metal heated, wasting precious heat.

‎5) I like the chicken. I really do. Not entirely sure it is representative
of the craft to have a forge chicken. Mostly, folks tend to stick with dogs
and cats.

6) In the Ninjago set, the roof rolls up to reveal that the
ninja-blacksmith is packing a spear, several swords, knives, etc. a panel
in the back swivels in sync with the roof to reveal the rack of swords. I
believe real ninja-blacksmiths would've made the obvious logical leap and
figured out that a) keeping your swords OUTSIDE your shop makes you less
secure than if you had them inside the shop to begin with. And b) it seems
fairly un-subtle to have to fling back the roof of your shop to get access
to your weapons.

‎7) Having a retractable shop roof seems cool. I will check out the zoning
laws in my area.