When you think of blacksmithing, you probably think back to a couple of centuries ago, but the trade is still being practiced today by many tradesmen and hobbyists alike. If you have any interest in trying it out yourself, you’re probably wondering if there is any possibility of harm.
Blacksmithing can be dangerous, but you can prevent yourself from getting hurt and prepare yourself for incidents that do happen. Your eyes, ears, skin, and lungs can all be injured in blacksmithing, so it’s important to wear protective gear such as goggles, earplugs, long-sleeve shirts and pants, and an apron.
Before you can begin blacksmithing, you need a clear understanding of potential harm it can cause so you can not only know how to prepare yourself but also know what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Continue reading to learn about blacksmithing and how to do it safely.
What is Blacksmithing?
In the modern era, it’s hard to think about blacksmithing without also thinking about “the days of yore” when towns had dirt roads and saloons.
You might even think back to when knights were wearing chain armor. However, blacksmithing is still alive and well today, and there are many enthusiasts flocking together online to discuss.
There’s an entire Reddit group dedicated to the trade.
Blacksmithing is forging metal to make products such as horseshoes, nails, drawer pulls, axes, and back in the day: swords.
Today, machines often make our metal goods, but tradesmen still make items by hand. Because it’s such an intricate process to forge metal by hand, blacksmithing has gone by the wayside for the most part, but in the 1800s, it was a popular profession. It is still a relevant profession today but not that many people practice it.
How Does It Work?
Metal requires very hot temperatures in order to be forged and molded into a new shape. Therefore, you need to work with fire. Once you heat your metal, put on your anvil, and begin hitting it with your hammer to shape it.
You can hit the metal in several different ways to achieve new shapes, and holding the metal at certain angles on the anvil will help with that process.
You can make a piece of metal flatter or thicker, longer or shorter, or you can give it intricate designs like twists and curves.
This is a trade that requires many hours of practice, and the most skilled can produce very detailed products.
Is It Dangerous?
Yes. Blacksmithing uses very hot fire to pound metals into new shapes. In this trade, burning yourself is highly probable, as is catching your surroundings on fire. However, it’s possible to be safe while working. Knowing how to prevent and handle dangerous situations is what will make you safe.
If a blacksmith says the trade is dangerous, he has probably had his fair share of burns, smashed fingers, and ringing ears.
Another blacksmith could say it’s perfectly safe because he knows that all skin should be covered, proper handling of the tools will prevent smashed fingers, and wearing earplugs will save you from going deaf.
Make sure you know what the potential hazards are and what safety gear you need before you begin blacksmithing.
Potential Hazards
Blacksmithing can cause serious injury if you’re not careful. When blacksmithing, you’re around a white-hot fire, heavy metals, and loud noises, all of which can harm you if you are unprotected.
Here are a few of the most common hazards you need to be aware of:
1. You can injure your eyes and ears
Be sure to wear sturdy safety goggleswhen you’re handling hot metals, especially when you’re banging away with the hammer. Scraps of hot metal can fly off in any direction, and it just might go into your eyes.
While the sound of the hammer against the anvil may sound like music to blacksmith enthusiasts, earplugs should always be worn because the ringing can lead to hearing loss or complete deafness.
2. You can get seriously burned or start a fire
You need to have a bucket of cold water and a fire extinguisher with you at all times when you’re blacksmithing.
The forge, which is the source of heat, should be kept away from all wood, including walls. It’s possible for your clothing and things around you to catch on fire.
Make sure you have a good grip on hot metals, so you don’t drop them. You could risk burning your feet, causing a fire on the ground or other accidents.
If you get burned, the bucket of cold water will come in handy because you can submerge your burn in the water to soothe it.
You can also use ice packs to soothe the burn. If necessary, you can dowse yourself in water if your clothing catches on fire.
Fire-resistant gloves, long-sleeve shirts, pants, closed-toe shoes, and a big apron can save your skin from burning. The apron should be long enough to cover your neck and your knees. The longer the apron, the better.
3. You can injure your joints
A dedicated blacksmith will spend countless hours hammering away at the anvil. The repeated motion will cause joint pain, especially if the anvil has a poor rebound.
Rebound is when the hammer swings back up on its own after being forced down. With a good anvil, the harder you hit, the higher your hammer should go back up.
A poor rebound will result in you having to do more work to lift the hammer up again.
4. You can harm your lungs
There are many harmful fumes you can breathe in when blacksmithing. Carbon monoxide, burning zinc, and smoke are all hazardous to breathe in, and will most likely be present when blacksmithing.
Wearing a respirator mask and working in a well-ventilated area will help you protect your lungs. Surgical masks will not be effective in filtering out harmful particles.
Zinc is often found in galvanized steel and other alloys that aren’t used too often today. Burning zinc is highly toxic, so it’s best to avoid using metals that contain zinc. Be sure to research what you’re buying so you can know whether or not it contains zinc.
Although it’s not much of an issue today, it’s good to know that asbestos was an issue in the 20th century. Blacksmiths began to use it when they found out it was fire-resistant. They applied it to their tools and clothes to protect themselves.
Unfortunately, they inhaled the tiny particles that don’t break down once they’re in your body. Asbestos is no longer used by blacksmiths, but it’s important to know, in case you come across vintage blacksmithing tools, dated between the 1930s and 1980s.
Take frequent breaks if you spend several hours at the anvil. Breathe fresh air and walk around or stretch so you can give your lungs, muscles, and joints a much-needed break.
Conclusion
Blacksmithing is a dangerous trade that has been around for many years and will probably be kept alive by enthusiasts. Common hazards include:
- Damage to your eyes and ears
- Getting burned
- Starting a fire
- Joint injuries
- Inhaling toxic fumes
You can be safe while blacksmithing if you wear the right clothing and use the right tools. You should wear the following when blacksmithing:
- Long-sleeve shirts and pants
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Earplugs
- Closed-toe shoes
- Apron (that is long enough to cover your neck and knees)
Remember the following safety measures:
- Have a fire extinguisher with you at all times
- Keep a bucket of cold water nearby
- Do not place the forge near wood or walls
- Work in a ventilated area
Stay safe and good luck with your future projects!
Cheers, tools owners!
Jack Adams
Hi there! My name is Jack and I write for ToolsOwner. I have a passion for everything related to tools and DIY projects around the house. You often find me in my workshop working on new projects.
FAQs
Was a blacksmiths job dangerous? ›
Blacksmithing is an inherently dangerous hobby. You are dealing with hot metal that can easily burn you if you are careless. You will be hammering, cutting and bending hot metal, which could send metal flying in various directions damaging your eyes or unprotected skin.
How safe is blacksmithing? ›Although blacksmiths often wear many protective coverings, they are usually not enough to guarantee them total safety from hazards. Blacksmiths are prone to occupational hazards because they have many exposure routes. These exposure routes include the skin, the eyes, the nose, as well as the ear.
What are the hazards of forging? ›- Heavy Metal Stamping. Handling metal can easily cause lacerations to the hand. ...
- Impaired Vision. Working around metal will expose you to flying fragments, particles and projectiles. ...
- Light Metal Stamping. ...
- Material Handling. ...
- Puncture. ...
- Sharp Objects.
Health and Safety during forging
Due to the levels of heat, handling forged parts is dangerous. Therefore, when removing parts from the forge or during the forging process all workers wear ear protection, safety glasses, steel toe cap boots, flame retardant personal protective clothing for protection.
Not very. Blacksmithing, in itself, doesn't require a lot of strength. A hammer weighting more than a kg would be regarded as pretty heavy and the actual forging force comes from the weight for the hammer , not the strength of the blacksmith.
Is blacksmithing still a job? ›Modern blacksmiths work in the automotive, metal processing, electric power and heavy construction equipment industries. Some open their own shops where they sell metal artwork and custom metal pieces, such as wrought iron gates.
Is forging safe? ›Forging can be dangerous. Please be warned. Using these products can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious bodily harm.
Is blacksmithing a good hobby? ›It's a great hobby, but it can be a bit pricey. You need an anvil, hammers, a forge, tongs, vices, safety gear, and the right clothing before you begin. You will need a used metal or new steel. Blacksmithing allows you to craft everything from kitchen spoons to swords and tools.
How hard is it to learn blacksmithing? ›Blacksmithing is easy to learn by acquiring knowledge of metals and techniques, having access to basic tools, interning with experts, and joining appropriate organizations. To succeed in this field, however, you need deft hand-eye coordination, perseverance, and lots of elbow grease.
Is Hammering a hot work? ›Hot work – work entailing the use of open flame or spark producing apparatus such as, but not limited to, welding, cutting, burning, grinding, drilling jack-hammering and related heat producing jobs which could ignite combustible and flammable materials.
Why do we need to control hazards in risk management? ›
Effective controls protect workers from workplace hazards; help avoid injuries, illnesses, and incidents; minimize or eliminate safety and health risks; and help employers provide workers with safe and healthful working conditions.
What are the safety Precaustions taken for black smithy shop? ›- An appropriate fire extinguisher for the workplace.
- Some well fitting and comfortable eye protection.
- Close fitting work clothes of natural fiber without turned up cuffs or open topped boots—nothing that could catch a coal or hot piece of metal and hold it near the body.
Mask/Respirator
You should pay attention to the air quality of your workshop while blacksmithing. Certain working materials and metals produce toxic fumes during smelting, which are hazardous to inhale. We recommend using a respirator with HEPA filtering abilities.
Using the appropriate blacksmithing gloves could prevent serious injury and long-term skin damage while working on projects that require the use of hot tools and materials.
How old should you be to blacksmith? ›As a rule of thumb, 14 is the minimum for the Beginners Class.
Why do blacksmiths have big forearms? ›Manual labor has always produced great overall strength, but nothing compares to the forearms of blacksmiths. Hammering and lifting pieces of steel all day long makes those forearms really powerful and that gripping strength deadly.
What skills do blacksmiths have? ›- Good practical skills.
- To be reasonably fit, as much of a Blacksmith's work involves physical strength.
- Good hand-eye co-ordination.
- An eye for design, if you're working in the craft side of blacksmithing.
- People skills, if you come into contact with customers as part of your job.
1) 5,000 to 10,000 Americans work as blacksmiths today.
Today, only around 5,000 to 10,000 people practice the craft. Of those, only 10% do it professionally. Many blacksmiths living today, both in America and worldwide, use their skills as blacksmiths to produce supplemental income.
Blacksmiths working full-time average about 35-40 hours per week. For blacksmiths who are also business owners, exceeding 40 hours is sometimes required to get projects done on time and manage the needs of their clients.
Do blacksmiths make good money? ›The salaries of Blacksmiths in the US range from $22,060 to $63,560 , with a median salary of $37,730 . The middle 60% of Blacksmiths makes $37,730, with the top 80% making $63,560.
How high should a blacksmith anvil be? ›
“Hickman's Farriery” suggests the anvil be placed 27 to 30 inches high, with the face pitched away from the blacksmith. Pitching the face has two advantages. First, it helps slag fall off the anvil face. Realize, however, that too much pitch will also cause your work to fall off the anvil.
What is a forge used for? ›A forge is a furnace or hearth where metals are heated prior to hammering them into shape. The act of forging is heating and hammering metal into a shape.
How expensive is smithing? ›You can get everything you need for about $300-500 if you buy used equipment and make what you can yourself. The main tools you'll need to get started are a forge, an anvil, a vise, a hammer and tongs. One of the great things about blacksmithing is that you can make many of the tools yourself, as you go.
How expensive is it to get into blacksmithing? ›Once you understand the fundamentals and have learned from a professional blacksmith, it is possible to set up your own smithy at home for around $500 if you source used equipment.
How much does a sword forge cost? ›The cost to build out your own smithy at home can range between $500 to $5,000, depending on the equipment and materials you choose to work with. You may also opt to take a public class with a professional bladesmith in an established smithy.
How long does it take to become a master blacksmith? ›It takes at least three years to become a master bladesmith. After you have taken a few blacksmithing and bladesmithing classes, you can apply to become a master bladesmith through the American Bladesmithing Society.
Can blacksmithing be self taught? ›There is, however, no substitute for learning from a competent instructor. There are many subtleties of forging that it takes someone watching you to impart. Getting started properly and learning the basics from a smith will help set you up to be able to continue to advance on your own.
What is a blacksmith called? ›blacksmith, also called smith, craftsman who fabricates objects out of iron by hot and cold forging on an anvil. Blacksmiths who specialized in the forging of shoes for horses were called farriers. The term blacksmith derives from iron, formerly called “black metal,” and farrier from the Latin ferrum, “iron.”
Is grinding cold work? ›When flammable materials are not present, industrial processes such as grinding and drilling become cold work processes.
What is a big hammer called? ›Sledge Hammer
Sledge hammers are larger than most hammers and feature a metal, mallet-like head. Heavier sledge hammers with longer handles are intended to be swung with both hands. Sledge hammers are best for: Breaking stone. Driving stakes.
Is grinding hot work? ›
Hot work is defined as any activity that involves open flames or produces heat and/or sparks capable of initiating fires or explosions. Examples of hot work include: welding, cutting, grinding, drilling, soldering, brazing, torch-applied roofing, etc.
How can we avoid hazards and risks? ›- 1 Eliminate the hazard. Remove it completely from your workplace. ...
- 2 Substitute the hazard. ...
- 3 Isolate the hazard. ...
- 4 Use engineering controls. ...
- 5 Use administrative controls. ...
- 6 Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Workplace hazards fall into six core types – safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and workload.
What are the major safety precautions are followed in workshop? ›- Obedience: Pupils must obey the instructions of their teachers at all times.
- Humility: Show respect to everybody and when you are in doubt about anything, ask question.
- Fiddling: Never play with any tool, equipment and machine in the workshop, such as ''ON/OFF'' switch.
Forging is done to enhance the mechanical properties of the material being forged. Smithy is also a forging operation which is carried out for relatively small stock size by heating in a open hearth or furnace & then shaping the stock by hammering by hand or using small hammer machine or press.
Which type of fuel is used in smithy shop? ›Coal, coke or charcoal may be used as fuel.
How hard is it to learn blacksmithing? ›Blacksmithing is easy to learn by acquiring knowledge of metals and techniques, having access to basic tools, interning with experts, and joining appropriate organizations. To succeed in this field, however, you need deft hand-eye coordination, perseverance, and lots of elbow grease.
Is blacksmithing a good hobby? ›It's a great hobby, but it can be a bit pricey. You need an anvil, hammers, a forge, tongs, vices, safety gear, and the right clothing before you begin. You will need a used metal or new steel. Blacksmithing allows you to craft everything from kitchen spoons to swords and tools.
How long does it take to become a master blacksmith? ›It takes at least three years to become a master bladesmith. After you have taken a few blacksmithing and bladesmithing classes, you can apply to become a master bladesmith through the American Bladesmithing Society.
Is a blacksmith a good career? ›Blacksmithing, while less widespread than in the past, continues to be a viable career for those interested in metalworking and using their creativity in the workplace. The skills of blacksmiths are sought-after in various industries, making the craft relevant today.
Can blacksmithing be self taught? ›
There is, however, no substitute for learning from a competent instructor. There are many subtleties of forging that it takes someone watching you to impart. Getting started properly and learning the basics from a smith will help set you up to be able to continue to advance on your own.
How expensive is smithing? ›You can get everything you need for about $300-500 if you buy used equipment and make what you can yourself. The main tools you'll need to get started are a forge, an anvil, a vise, a hammer and tongs. One of the great things about blacksmithing is that you can make many of the tools yourself, as you go.
How expensive is it to get into blacksmithing? ›Once you understand the fundamentals and have learned from a professional blacksmith, it is possible to set up your own smithy at home for around $500 if you source used equipment.
How much does a sword forge cost? ›The cost to build out your own smithy at home can range between $500 to $5,000, depending on the equipment and materials you choose to work with. You may also opt to take a public class with a professional bladesmith in an established smithy.