I’m a huge fan of “forged in fire” and it seems to me that technology hasn’t done a great job of improving this craft. I mean except for things like a power hammer, how is it possible that we’re not able to control a quench.
There are so many “castrophical failures”from what seems to be competent bladesmith. I don’t understand how in 2020 there are still variable in that process that we are unable to control.
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I’m french so sorry in advance if there are error in the text.
In: Technology
There are a few reasons that come to mind as to why this might be happening but if I had to wager on any specific one, it would likely be something along the lines of supply and demand.
Think about it. Blacksmiths, while still prevalent in many parts of the world, simply aren’t in as high a demand as they were years and years ago. Most blacksmiths now a’ days usually work in a sort of repair and restore environment. Now that’s not to say all of them, but many have switched to this line of work, because that’s where the demand is.
Classical Blacksmiths like those that make swords or armor like those you’re referring to, haven’t seen demand on a large enough scale that improvements in technology and technique are urgently needed. Keep in mind, the power hammer you mentioned is still under the direct control of the Blacksmith itself for the most part, they still need to do the hard part of molding and shaping the metal to whatever is required. The power hammer is just there to make life a little easier.
Most of the metalworking industry has seen a massive shift from using people, to using machines. And why wouldn’t they? Machines are far more precise, efficient, and cost effective. If a machine breaks, an engineer comes in and repairs it. If a blacksmith suffers an injury, who knows how long they’re going to be out for. Machines don’t need insurance or a paycheck. Workers on the other hand do.
Machines? They only need maintenance and repairs at best, otherwise they’re thrown out and replaced. Workers? They need to be fed, housed, insured, kept happy, and much more. All that comes at a cost to the employer who has to pay these people.
**TL;DR – Classical Blacksmiths that actually do lots of metalworking and such just aren’t in as a high enough a demand where they can afford to innovate. Not even close in comparison to industrialized complexes that work with metal on daily basis from start to finish. Whether it’s in a factory or in a refinery, most of the work has largely been taken over by machinery to do all the heavy lifting. This means less Blacksmiths and conversely, more Engineers. Forging HAS improved over the course of time, just not as you expected it to.**
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