Anvilfire.com

Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

Longfellow held the blacksmith trade in high regard, as it was a vital part of nineteenth-century commerce. Every village had at least one blacksmith.

Today, blacksmiths are no longer essential to communities, but they continue to have an avid membership. Today's FamilyFirst site pays homage to the noble trade. It's called Anvilfire.com – Blacksmithing and Metalworking Reference. Here's their mission:

anvilfire.com is a unique resource for blacksmiths and related metal workers. anvilfire is your best on-line metalworking information source. If you need answers now check anvilfire's FAQ's or ask our Guru. Anvilfire is dedicated to advancing modern blacksmithing while retaining traditional standards of craftsmanship. Additions to this site are made on a daily basis.

So what can the budding or experienced blacksmith learn here? Well, one of the most fascinating facts that I found immediately was that blacksmithing is unique in that the tools of the trade are often created by the smith him (or her) self! That makes sense, but I never thought about it.

I also learned where the bick, beak, and horn are located in the shop. And that they are all the same thing!

Check out Blacksmithing in the 21st Century. It's a practical guide for practicing this art in modern times, featuring detailed instructions for making your own implements.

So step back away from the high-tech just a bit, and immerse yourself in the fascinating trade of blacksmithing.

http://www.anvilfire.com

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