Inside: If taking beginner blacksmithing classes ever interested you, here are 5 reasons to get up, sign up, and Learn to Forge. Don’t let the busy-ness of life hold you back from challenging yourself to grow and learn more about the forging process.
Have you ever thought of taking any beginner blacksmithing classes? Well let me help you as you make your decision. I decided to take blacksmithing classes because I wanted to learn more, I needed a critical review of my mistakes, I needed a community to go to with future questions as I continued to practice, I needed help in understanding the why, and because they are lots of fun.
1 To Learn More about Blacksmithing
Yes, I wanted to learn more about blacksmithing and specifically I wanted to learn more about tools of the blacksmith and how to make them. I knew that if I were going to continue with this craft of blacksmithing, then I would need to learn the process of forging my own tools. Up to this point I had forged a few thing that beginners try. Such as forging a leaf, a hand fuller, an S-hook, and a spoon. I learned also that there still some mysteries about forging that I did not quite understand. The first time that I heard of the Tools to make Tools Class by Lyle Wynn, I knew that this is what I was looking for. Learn to Forge is what I did for 3 days straight.
2 A Critique of Others
One thing that helped me tremendously while taking the class, was a critical review of my mistakes. I realized that when I had been forging by myself, I gave up on things too soon, or just called things close enough. The critical review of others helps to challenge you to take your forgings further, or review your own techniques.
3 Forging a Community
The sense of community you receive, as you work with others in the class or with the instructor one on one, will benefit you greatly. Having those contacts to reach out to in the future as you are practicing technique or facing challenges in your forge work. Bouncing that idea off of others will help as you continue to learn to forge.
4 Understanding the “Why” of the Forging Process
Another benefit to taking a blacksmithing class is understanding why. Why do we make something a certain way, or why did the metal do that. On my own I can be pretty good at observing the what just happened. Having someone to help explain the why, will then guide you as you try and correct that process.
5 Blacksmithing is Fun
Last, but not least, and perhaps the best reason to take a blacksmithing class is; BECAUSE IT IS LOTS OF FUN! Taking time to just learn in the fire with hammer in hand, having a goal and accomplishing it. Working with others who are facing the same challenges as you are. I always leave with how could this much work be this much fun? So go check out a beginner blacksmithing class that may be in your vicinity and sign up for some fun learning to forge.
For further information check out Essential Blacksmith Tools for Beginners, or The Backyard Blacksmith: A Resource for the Beginner Blacksmith.
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