Becoming a Swordsmith a Noob's questions to Pros
Sept 27, 2007 5:08:37 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2007 5:08:37 GMT
Hello all. I'm that annoying "male under 30" crowd who seems to be exploring to some great degree the art of sword making. I'm a 22 year old male from upstate New York. I first got interested in the subject when watching the History Channel's show "The Samurai". I was instantly memorized by the way that the Katana was created.
Anyways although I am currently an Art student I have constantly been drawn back to one of my original dreams. To become a sword smith. Unfortunately all I really have to go by is an old book that my Grandfather had and some memories that my uncles have of him. My Grandfather was a farmer and a very old fashion one.
Besides the duties of being a everyday farmer he also had a small lumbering business as well as took care of some horses. It was because of these two "part time" jobs that he learned certain aspects of blacksmithing. From what I have been told he mostly did it to make horse shoes as well as fix and make ax's (heads of course. For those of you wondering chainsaws and the larger tools are maintained through traditional blacksmithing). Unfortunately after he died all of his blacksmith tools (except for a few hammers and pliers) where sold. So all I have been able to due so far is read about the art.
Now being in upstate New York I wish it was as easy as being able to track down Paul Champagne take out a loan for a fifty thousand dollars and begin taking lessons (and honestly to even be able to meet a Legend like Paul Champagne none the less study under him would be a great honor) but since that is very unlikely to ever happen I have a few questions for the pros.
1. I'm under the assumption that for the most part most modern sword smith's do more then just make swords for a living. Usually doubling as blacksmiths. I have also debated about becoming a Gunsmith as well (although granted they are completely different styles. ) but that not with standing is it even possible to make a comfortable living in the modern age by being a sword smith alone? By comfortable I mean being able to raise and support a wife and kids?
2. How did you get started? Did you have any formal training? Or was it a lot of self discovery? Reading, studying, trail and error work perhapses? Also for those of you who learned your own (or even where "apprentices") did you have to take another job in order to make up you daily living expense income well training?
3. What list of supplies would you tell a young man (or woman) interested in the trade to invest in?
4. I've seen lots of "home blacksmiths" using normal half drum bbq barrels cut in half as the "forge". Would this technique truly be good as a "first" use for a trainee, self taught or not?
5. Are there certain college/technical classes that are available in most Community Colleges and Technical Institution that you would recommend for a sword smith wanna be? Perhaps certain Chemistry classes or Metallurgy classes?
Anything else that you have to offer as advice would GREATLY be appreciated.
Anyways although I am currently an Art student I have constantly been drawn back to one of my original dreams. To become a sword smith. Unfortunately all I really have to go by is an old book that my Grandfather had and some memories that my uncles have of him. My Grandfather was a farmer and a very old fashion one.
Besides the duties of being a everyday farmer he also had a small lumbering business as well as took care of some horses. It was because of these two "part time" jobs that he learned certain aspects of blacksmithing. From what I have been told he mostly did it to make horse shoes as well as fix and make ax's (heads of course. For those of you wondering chainsaws and the larger tools are maintained through traditional blacksmithing). Unfortunately after he died all of his blacksmith tools (except for a few hammers and pliers) where sold. So all I have been able to due so far is read about the art.
Now being in upstate New York I wish it was as easy as being able to track down Paul Champagne take out a loan for a fifty thousand dollars and begin taking lessons (and honestly to even be able to meet a Legend like Paul Champagne none the less study under him would be a great honor) but since that is very unlikely to ever happen I have a few questions for the pros.
1. I'm under the assumption that for the most part most modern sword smith's do more then just make swords for a living. Usually doubling as blacksmiths. I have also debated about becoming a Gunsmith as well (although granted they are completely different styles. ) but that not with standing is it even possible to make a comfortable living in the modern age by being a sword smith alone? By comfortable I mean being able to raise and support a wife and kids?
2. How did you get started? Did you have any formal training? Or was it a lot of self discovery? Reading, studying, trail and error work perhapses? Also for those of you who learned your own (or even where "apprentices") did you have to take another job in order to make up you daily living expense income well training?
3. What list of supplies would you tell a young man (or woman) interested in the trade to invest in?
4. I've seen lots of "home blacksmiths" using normal half drum bbq barrels cut in half as the "forge". Would this technique truly be good as a "first" use for a trainee, self taught or not?
5. Are there certain college/technical classes that are available in most Community Colleges and Technical Institution that you would recommend for a sword smith wanna be? Perhaps certain Chemistry classes or Metallurgy classes?
Anything else that you have to offer as advice would GREATLY be appreciated.