[TheForge] blacksmithing / metalwork formal training and higher education

[Ries Niemi]

The thing is, the original question was specifically about formal training and higher education.
And so, the list of colleges and community colleges is an appropriate answer.

Knowing, as I do, a couple dozen world class blacksmiths with MFA's from SIU Carbondale, I am convinced that the education you receive there is not mediocre. 
It includes a wide exposure to other ideas and techniques, a great facility, and people whose job is to teach.
The problem with apprenticeships, particularly in the USA at this time, is that the blacksmith you are apprenticing with needs to make a living- and, as such, doesnt have a lot of time to teach. I have hired a lot of guys over the years to help in my shop, and, no doubt, have taught them a lot- but only in terms of specific skills to do the job we were doing at that time.
I cant afford to teach a core class, I need to get the work out.

Also, for a variety of reasons, some people can afford to go to school for two or four years, but cannot spend months or years just practicing and learning on their own. 

Personally, I dropped out of college twice, and have no degree. I am primarily self taught. But I think for some people, college is the right thing, and I think now, more than ever before, there are viable, and very high quality, college and junior college programs in blacksmithing where you come out the other end actually having learned a lot, and being employable.

ries


On Oct 26, 2013, at 6:27 AM, CGRAF wrote:

> Any limited range of study, be it blacksmithing, math , theology...
> CAN be well even perhaps equally served by individual tutelage either in person or on the internet (if one is careful of sources, which of course is somewhat true on campus also <G>)
> 
> Where campus education has few equals is in the ability to study, History, Art, Math and Composition at the same time in a somewhat structured format. I have known several well rounded individuals who have accomplished terrific results on their own, but they are few and far between. I also know a multitude who went campus and are mediocre, well rounded, but mediocre.
> 
> Mike Graf
> 
> On 10/26/2013 8:14 AM, Matthew DeStito wrote:
>> I can understand that for techniques, but from the metallurgy aspect a
>> formal course is a very good thing. Choosing the right king of metal or the
>> right grade is difficult to learn self taught, and can be expensive, but if
>> you are taught why one grade does better in a specific situation can save
>> money. That being said, I definately do prefer a hands on method to learn
>> something.
>> 
>> 
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