If tapered in two dimensions, a point results.ĭrawing can be accomplished with a variety of tools and methods. A taper can result as in making a wedge or a woodworking chisel blade. As the depth is reduced, or the width narrowed, the piece is lengthened or "drawn out."Īs an example of drawing, a smith making a chisel might flatten a square bar of steel, lengthening the metal, reducing its depth but keeping its width consistent.ĭrawing does not have to be uniform. Traditional blacksmith next to his forge of stone and brickĭrawing lengthens the metal by reducing one or both of the other two dimensions. The techniques of smithing can be roughly divided into forging (sometimes called "sculpting"), welding, heat-treating, and finishing. The key is to have consistent lighting, but not too bright.
Because they must be able to see the glowing color of the metal, some blacksmiths work in dim, low-light conditions, but most work in well-lit conditions. The ideal heat for most forging is the bright yellow-orange color that indicates forging heat. As iron heats to higher temperatures, it first glows red, then orange, yellow, and finally white. Induction heating methods are gaining popularity among modern blacksmiths.Ĭolor is important for indicating the temperature and workability of the metal. Some modern blacksmiths may also employ an oxyacetylene or similar blowtorch for more localized heating.
Heating generally takes place in a forge fueled by propane, natural gas, coal, charcoal, coke, or oil. Smithing process in Mediterranean environment, Valencian Museum of Ethnologyīlacksmiths work by heating pieces of wrought iron or steel until the metal becomes soft enough for shaping with hand tools, such as a hammer, an anvil and a chisel.
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