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Blacksmith Primer

Overview of the Process

Blacksmithing involves the extreme heating of iron to a near molten state where the iron can then be manipulated using compression between two hardened surfaces (in most cases an anvil surface and the face of a hammer). At a given point the iron becomes too hot and "sparkles", when too cold the iron is brittle and may crack under pressure. Because each piece of iron will contain different metallurgical attributes, the area between too much and too little heat is one of constant experimentation.

The heat is supplied by a forge which is a fire containment area that permits the free and constant flow of air through the fire from the bottom up. Fuel for the fire is traditionally coal, however on the early frontier charcoal was many times used because of it's availability. A constant flow of air is supplied from a bellows, either pump or rotary fan. This air flow is essential to the maintenance of the high temperatures needed to manipulate the iron.

Common Terms Explained

Drawing Out - The act of hammering an area of iron and spreading or stretching that area. A large rod can be drawn out into a thin wire.

Up ending - The act of compressing iron in a given area. The end of a small rod can be upended forming in larger head such as a rivet head.

Fuller - a device used to indent a piece.

Hardy - a heavy iron blade that sets in the anvil enabling a piece to be cut by striking the piece when it is placed over the hardy.

Rotary fan bellows - a hand cranked device much like a modern hair dryer that forces air through a pipe when the handle is cranked.

Pump bellows - a traditional multi - air chamber design that expels a flow of air when compressed.

Tuyere - the connection between the base of the forge and the air exhaust. This is generally of cast iron and designed to permit intermittant cleanout of ash and debris.

TOOLS

Hammers

Sledge - a large hammer with two flat faces used for heavy work.

Ballpeen - a two sided hammer containing a face and a 3/4 ball, in a variety of sizes. Used to spread concave survaces and for small fullering.

Crosspeen - a two sided hammer containing a face and a chisel end usually 90 degrees opposed. Used for cutting and deep fullering.

Finish - a small hammer of any style used to finish a piece, do extremely small draw outs and the like.

Hardys

Cutoff - a hardy with only one bevelled edge. The iron on the side of the non-bevelled edge will be a 90 degree cutoff.

Center Cut - a hardy containing equi-distant bevelled edges. For beginning cuts and surface splits.

Fuller - a center cut or cutoff hardy ground down to a round edge used for fullering.

Tongs

Horseshoe - cutoff jaws used to remove or cut nails, etc.

Rod - jaws are indented in the shape of a round or square rod to handle rods in the fire by their ends.

Flat - jaws are flat to handle bar stock.