Smithing refers specifically to the types of metalworking which involve making a piece from a material. Smithing has a long history, dating back to the very first use of metal. The types of smithing have evolved as people have sought improved methods and types of metalworking.
In historical times, the types of smithing were many and varied depending on where one was geographically located. In Europe, there were types such as pattern welding and damascening which allowed steel to be shaped to form patterns within the material itself.
Another method was wootz steel which came from India; this type used large amounts of iron and carbon into a crucible and then applying an electrical charge to generate a magnetic field that separated out impurities during heating: essentially it is making steel using electricity rather than fire for purification purposes. This method produced steel known as Damascus.
Table of Contents
Different Types of Smithing
1. Blacksmithing
Blacksmithing is a traditional profession with many types of specialization. Most types of smithing have been rendered obsolete by modern technology, but some types are still relevant today, as they serve to preserve cultural heritage and keep antique tools working.
Blacksmithing techniques can be divided into three main groups: forging, casting, and construction. Forging involves using metal to shape other metal through hammering or pressing it while it’s hot. Casting is the process of pouring molten metal into a mold in order to create a finished product that often needs further processing before use.
Construction is a catch-all term for less common types of work such as clock making and locksmithing; these types of smithing involve building types of products from scratch rather than modifying metal.
Blacksmiths aim to produce reliable, functional tools that are durable. This often involves choosing the right raw materials for their products. Customers also rely on blacksmiths to provide serviceable equipment under many different types of conditions, so it’s important to use high-quality metals in order to ensure customer satisfaction.
2. Arrowsmith
Arrowsmith is the making of arrows, bolts, and darts for bows. It is done by smiths. Arrowsmith is a separate profession from bowyer. A bowyer builds bows and crossbows, while an arrowsmith just makes arrows and bolts. Arrowsmith appears to be most common in archery and weaponsmithing.
3. Bladesmithing
Bladesmithing is the process of creating knives or other types of blades. It does not matter what kind of material the blade is made out of – iron, steel, another alloy metal, obsidian, bone, plastic – it is still considered a BLADESMITHING job.
Bladesmith uses many different types of tools to make their blades look nice and work correctly. Some types of smithing include wilderness smithing, which involves working with natural metals and stones to make knives and shivs from naturally occurring resources outside in nature; iron-age smithing, where smiths would create swords from metal that was dug up from the ground; modern smithing, where smiths use types of steels and other types of metal to create types of blades with modern-day equipment; casting smithing, which uses liquid metals, also known as a casting, to create types of blades that are poured into a mold.
4. Coppersmithing
Coppersmithing is the practice of making items out of copper. While copper is not as malleable or easy to shape as bronze, it does not contain tin, which makes it easier to find clean metal for smithing. Most types of coppersmithing fall under two main types: cold-working and hot-working.
Cold-working is the process of hammering copper to make items like bracelets, pins, or other types of jewelry. These types of items can be made without having a forge through many small repeated strikes with a metal tool.
Hot-working, on the other hand, is used by blacksmiths to make more practical items such as tools and coins which require heat from an open flame in order to shape them. While there are types of coppersmiths who work exclusively as cold-workers or hot-workers, some smiths use both types of work depending on what they are creating at the time.
5. Weaponsmithing
Weaponsmithing is the process of creating and modifying weapons. Weaponsmiths specialize in spears, swords, shields, and bows. Whether it’s creating a new type of sword or changing the materials on an already existing weapon, weaponsmiths are highly adaptable to any type of change.
6. Locksmithing
Locksmithing is the process of making, maintaining, and repairing locks. Locksmithing takes place in many types of businesses, including automotive locksmiths; banks; vaults; doors; door lock hardware; home entryway devices; safes, and security containers.
Locksmith training should always include a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Many types of training courses exist for locksmiths. These types include training from industry trade associations, vocational classes at a local community college or technical school, and online tradeposts.
Locksmithing is considered a dark trade due to its secretive nature and the high risk of becoming seriously injured during lock picking attempts. In some areas, only licensed locksmiths are legally permitted to pick types of locks.
Types of locksmithing include automotive, residential, commercial and safes/vaults. These types vary greatly in training requirements. Most types of smithing do not require formal education beyond the high school level, as the process is learned on the job under a master locksmith.
7. Goldsmith
Goldsmith is a type of blacksmith that works specifically with gold to make jewelry or other types of products that can store or keep a lot of value.
There are different types of goldsmiths who use different types of techniques to shape or mold the metal. The types of smithing that can be used depending on the type of product being made and what it will ultimately be used for.
Four common types of goldsmithing include hand forging, machine-assisted hand forging, repoussé, and stone setting. Whilst these four types are not exhaustive there are many more types available.
8. Silversmithing
Silversmithing is the art of using silver to create objects. Silversmithing has been around since the 1400s but was not used for mass production until industrialization in the 1800s. Silversmithing can be done by hand or with machines.
Handcrafted silver is more expensive than silver that uses machine processes because it involves many steps and requires expert craftsmanship skills. Whichever method is used, silversmithing always begins with melting down the silver into a liquid form.
Artisans then take out chunks of this liquid metal and place them between two steel rollers on a rolling mill to make sheets of solid silver called “silver stock.”
9. Tinsmithing
Tinsmithing is the process of fashioning tin or sheet metal into pots, pans, and other utensils.
The profession is not very common in the modern world but was once prolific. Tinsmiths were employed to make vessels that people could use for cooking food over an open flame. The types of objects created by tinsmiths are also found around today’s houses: cookie cutters, ashtrays, pails with lids, toys for children – all made out of tin or sheet metal.
Tinsmithing requires some physical strength because one must work hot metal with heavy tools. One must also have great precision while working with wire on a mandrel to create pots that will hold water without leaking.
10. Brownsmithing
Brownsmithing is a crafting type that has existed since the dawn of time. A brown smith works with copper and brass primarily but can make use of other types of metal including steel.
One of the most common types of brownsmithing is something called wire-wrapping. Wire wrapping is an art form in itself and can be used to create very detailed pieces that are highly sought after by collectors.
Brownsmiths should never use other types of materials other than copper or brass when wire-wrapping because other types could interfere with the chemical composition of the metal.
11. Pewtersmithing
Pewtersmithing is a form of metalworking that uses an alloy of tin with lead called pewter. Many types of jewelry are made using this versatile material, including rings, necklaces, brooches, and buttons.
12. Gunsmithing
Gunsmithing is the art and science of designing, testing, assembling, modifying, and repairing firearms. It also encompasses the manufacture of at least one component to specifications. Gunsmithing has many sub-disciplines in which highly skilled tradesmen work on different types of guns. Many are related by similar skills or techniques when compared with other types of metalworking.
Gunsmiths may be employed in a variety of ways by firearm manufacturers or private gun owners. They may perform factory repairs or modifications to mass-produced firearms. Others may use their established skillset to build custom weapons either for personal use or resale under their own brand name. For example, there are numerous types of custom M1911 pistol manufacturers that build customized M1911 pistols from parts they have manufactured themselves.
13. Whitesmithing
Whitesmithing is an old and simple technique of smithing where the metal is heated to a high temperature and then quickly cooled with water.
The word Whitesmith comes from the use of white or silvery-white alloys such as tin, pewter, and silver rather than dark such as iron. The resulting alloy would be bright, shiny, and malleable making it easier to work.
Whitesmiths used this technique for creating objects that were intended to look like gold but were a fraction of the cost. They were often used to decorate other types of objects such as jewelry or plates.
14. Swordsmithing
Swordsmithing is the process of making a sword from raw materials. The types of swordsmithing are forging and stock removal, but each has its own types as well. weaponsmiths specialize in spears, axes, and flails in addition to knives and swords. Swordsmiths typically work with metals such as steel and iron, producing weapons such as swords, daggers, and other types of blades.
Working with metal is an art form that can be practiced in many different ways. There are blacksmiths who create beautiful, intricate designs by hand and others who prefer to work industrial-style using power tools like the forge press or gas-powered hammer.
The type of blacksmithing you choose will depend on your personal interests, skillset, experience level, and budget. No matter what kind of blacksmith you want to become or how much time you have for practicing this craft, there’s no better way than starting off with a good blacksmithing article. I hope this blog post has been helpful in the understanding of different types of blacksmithing. Thanks for reading!