The Most Important Job In The World - The Blacksmith

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 1 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 674

  • @jamesofallthings3684
    @jamesofallthings3684 Рік тому +982

    I think what we're missing is that the most important thing in the 18th century and throughout history was a cohesive community. Without the farmer there's no ingredients, without the baker there's no bread, without the blacksmith all other trades are much more difficult etc etc.

    • @thehound9638
      @thehound9638 Рік тому +129

      I think what we're really missing is that there was a time when people had work that they was proud of and felt like they were needed in their community!

    • @terryt.1643
      @terryt.1643 Рік тому +50

      I absolutely agree! Working together allowed for specialization. If everybody had to do all the work individually, there wouldn’t be enough time in the day.

    • @fugu4163
      @fugu4163 Рік тому +41

      Back then you knew as a little boy what your profession was going to be.
      The same profession as your father.

    • @crystalh450
      @crystalh450 Рік тому +35

      @@fugu4163 yes, and people weren't educated beyond their intelligence level at everyone else's expense.

    • @jamesofallthings3684
      @jamesofallthings3684 Рік тому +18

      @thehound9638 I enjoy my job. Nobody is forcing anyone to take dumb jobs. Nobody is stopping people from creating their own jobs. You can quite literally still be a blacksmith and make a living. Problem is everyone's sole concern is money and trinkets.

  • @romanwolf0072
    @romanwolf0072 Рік тому +159

    My ancestors were nail makers for the Puritans in Mass. in the 1600s, but they weren't Puritans themselves. One of the first documents we have is them getting fined shillings for cursing out their neighbors. That's my Great (x11) grandpa!

    • @FirstnameLastname-ob1bp
      @FirstnameLastname-ob1bp Рік тому +1

      That's really insane you can trace your history that far. I've only managed to trace mine back to my great great great grandma Pamfila.

    • @romanwolf0072
      @romanwolf0072 Рік тому +10

      @@FirstnameLastname-ob1bp it's my dad's research. He's been working on our tree for 50+ years :)
      Apparently the same ancestors also got fined for working on Sunday too. The Puritans didn't like them but needed their services lol

    • @dontoevsky
      @dontoevsky 10 місяців тому

      Awesome !

  • @louel9272
    @louel9272 10 місяців тому +4

    Blacksmiths are the first characters a hero searches for when he comes into a new town, and a healer 😊

  • @dr.froghopper6711
    @dr.froghopper6711 Рік тому +171

    My grandfather was a blacksmith, born in New Mexico when it was still a Territory. He fed his family throughout the Great Depression by being a blacksmith and a well driller. My father learned some from him but dad’s parents divorced when he was pretty young. Dad wasn’t a proficient blacksmith but he was an outstanding pipe fitter. I inherited my grandfather’s anvil and a love for working with metal. Arthritis in my hands has stopped my large metal work. But I still mess around with small stuff, especially copper, brass and some silver.

    • @kalgrave497
      @kalgrave497 Рік тому +6

      Dude this is such an awesome bit of family history thank you for sharing it ! my great great grand father was a black smith. and i my self dabble a good bit with it as a hobby

    • @fathersir3024
      @fathersir3024 Рік тому +2

      one day hopefully you can find a way to treat arthritis and the technology for perfect prosthetics to be made
      become the blacksmith to make his own hands

  • @oldgoatsgarden4897
    @oldgoatsgarden4897 Рік тому +113

    One of my grandfather's apprenticed to his childless uncle as a blacksmith apprentice, 1906, part time as he went to school for a couple of hours to learn English and math, he said his first job was to take a dime and a bucket and go get a bucket of beer every day that sat out with a dipper for the refreshment of the blacksmith and his customers. He worked at blacksmithing and learned mechanics to service the new fangled autos and traction engines that were becoming more popular starting around 1914, driving the first truck in the area ( no cab, springs and solid rubber tires) continuing on to do sheet metal work in the 20s while operating a service station and garage with his younger brother. He went into the trucking business in 29 just before the crash. He continued on doing metal and mechanical work, farming and buying livestock until 1955 in a very rural community until when he went on to full time farming. I still have a few of his and his uncle's tools.

  • @sailorknightwing
    @sailorknightwing Рік тому +258

    I love the cinematography on these more recent videos, you all do such a great job

    • @PaszerDye
      @PaszerDye Рік тому +1

      Call me a pedant, but I'm questioning the particular title caption for this video series. They already used that for their last one on farmers. And saying one profession is the single most important one in the town is like how most people assume the brain is the most important one in the body at face value.

    • @theyearwas1473
      @theyearwas1473 Рік тому +7

      ​@@PaszerDyeallow the man to work the algorithms so he pops up.

    • @sailorknightwing
      @sailorknightwing Рік тому +7

      ​​@@PaszerDyet's just the title of this series of videos and it's meant to be tongue-in-cheek

    • @arcan762
      @arcan762 Рік тому

      I like the worm insect thing they focused on for whatever reason at 5:17

    • @Stefanio64
      @Stefanio64 11 місяців тому

      It makes the history learning feel so alive!!!

  • @lelandhawk6392
    @lelandhawk6392 Рік тому +43

    There is a connection with old tools you can feel when working with them. Making a tool is also a great feeling. Blacksmithing has helped me get past a very difficult time in my life.

  • @sasssquatch1467
    @sasssquatch1467 Рік тому +784

    There's an old story of a king who has an opening for a workshop within the protective walls of his castle. So he assembles the craftsmen to make a case for themselves as to why they should be chosen to build their shop inside the walls.
    The king calls on the carpenters, the head carpenter says "your majesty, without us, there is no lumber, no structures, and no furniture". The king says "this is true, what say the masons?", the head Mason stands and says "your majesty, without us, there would be no castle, no castle walls, no foundations, and no stoneware". The king says " ah yes, masonry is undoubtedly necessary to the survival of my kingdom". The head thatcher stands and says, "but your majesty, what good would these foundations and structures do without our roofs to shield them from the rain and snow?". The other craftsmen start to clammer "but without our bows, how would the castle walls be defended!?", "Without our wine, how would our victories be celebrated!?", "Without our barrels, how would we store food or make wine!?".. as the king starts to attempt to quell the craftsmen, the door opens and in walks in the soot covered blacksmith reeking of smoke. A hush comes over the hall, the king looks at the blacksmith and says "we're discussing who will build their workshop in new opening within the walls, why are you late?". The blacksmith looks at the king, then looks around the room at the other craftsmen and replies "pardon me your majesty, I'm late because I was busy making all of their tools".
    I've been a blacksmith for 17 years now, whenever I start to lose motivation to keep forging between working and raising my family, I think of that story, it reminds me why I love my craft.
    Quick side note, from what I understand, the reason so many people have the last name "Smith" is because blacksmiths weren't sent to war.. and if their village, town, or city was conquered, the blacksmith and his family were spared because everybody, even invading armies knew they absolutely needed the blacksmith.

    • @thehound9638
      @thehound9638 Рік тому +37

      I really enjoyed that little story! I've never heard it before but if you reply to this comment then I can return to it and memorise it.

    • @terryt.1643
      @terryt.1643 Рік тому +16

      I’d like to tell this to our blacksmith, too. 👍 I don’t know if he has heard those. The Blacksmith’s shop is one of our most popular interpretations on Student Living History Day… I’m a bread baker. That’s popular, too.

    • @richardpayne9249
      @richardpayne9249 Рік тому +11

      Sass Squatch.....I've only been smithing for three years and have never heard that story. Thank you for your story and comment

    • @kylepearce-obrien1021
      @kylepearce-obrien1021 Рік тому +25

      Sounds almost like a variation of the Irish myth of Lugh.
      When the king of Ireland called a war council to plan a defense against an invading force of raiders, he told his castle guard, "Let none enter who does not possess a skill useful to us."
      When Lugh arrived late and found the doors barred and guarded, he asked to be let in, for he was a great builder. The guards replied they already had a mason, so they wouldn't let him in.
      "Well that's alright, because I'm also a champion warrior. Let me in."
      "Got warriors, and a champion too. No, you can't come in."
      Bard? No. Sorcerer? Got 3 witches already. Blacksmith? Carpenter? Dancer? No dice.
      Finally, Lugh says "All right, I concede you have the specialties filled. But please, go and ask the King if he has someone who possesses *all* of these skills."
      And when the king heard this, he leapt to his feet and told his guards, "Bring him here at once, and sit him beside me in the place of highest honor. For never has such a man been in our presence."
      And that's how Lugh (eventually) became King of the Fey.

    • @vikitty604
      @vikitty604 Рік тому +5

      @@thehound9638 not OP but hopefully this gets you a notification for this story. 🫶🏻

  • @anarchoutis
    @anarchoutis Рік тому +41

    I think this has been one of Townsends best videos, and the input given by Jamie Tyree was absolutely priceless.

  • @jamesvatter5729
    @jamesvatter5729 Рік тому +22

    As a kid, my grandfather had a blacksmith shop at the farm. That skill has always fascinated me. I guess that's what gravitates me toward the smithing demonstrations at every historical event I attend.

  • @moseshorowitz4345
    @moseshorowitz4345 Рік тому +27

    The first iron smelter in New England, and possibly North America, was established in the 1650s in Quincy, Massachusetts (then known as North Braintree). It failed after only a few years due to resource issues, but the ruin of the site is still there and can be viewed by the public for free. The Furnace Brook which provided its water power still exists, and runs parallel to the Furnace Brook Parkway, a main avenue in Quincy.
    About a decade later a much more successful iron works was established in Saugus, MA, and still exists today as a National Park Service historic site. It has been restored to a working state (though not in use). When last I visited they also had a working blacksmith in residence.

  • @AMBOSS_Silesia
    @AMBOSS_Silesia Рік тому +9

    As a blacksmith myself with 20 years of experience I struggle with a depression for over 3 years. Thanks for that video. A little shine of motivating light in those grey days.

  • @satanous_one7590
    @satanous_one7590 Рік тому +38

    Please never stop making videos, your channel is one of the most wholesome things to exist in such a crazy and turbulant world. Thank you, for what you do.

  • @SacredCrone
    @SacredCrone Рік тому +9

    There is probably an argument to be made for several jobs as being the most important.
    Farmer, baker, midwife. But this does show how invaluable they would have been. Thanks for a great video, again!

  • @The_Gentleman_Blacksmith
    @The_Gentleman_Blacksmith Рік тому +69

    "Is the blacksmith the most important job in the world?"
    You know I may have to agree.

    • @toddellner5283
      @toddellner5283 Рік тому +2

      As a middling amateur smith I am inclined to agree

    • @The_Gentleman_Blacksmith
      @The_Gentleman_Blacksmith Рік тому +5

      @toddellner5283 No, not amateur. If you forge, you're a smith. Self talk is important, don't put yourself and your skills down. Take it from someone who also has a self-esteem issue when it comes to their work lol

    • @toddellner5283
      @toddellner5283 Рік тому +5

      @@The_Gentleman_Blacksmith Heh. You know our tribe too well. It's one big Imposter Syndrome and ADHD support group. The most important lesson I've had was a few months ago when Brian Brazeale stopped in the middle of a demo, looked at what he had just pulled out of the fire, tossed it in the scrap bucket, shrugged, and started again.

    • @The_Gentleman_Blacksmith
      @The_Gentleman_Blacksmith Рік тому +3

      @toddellner5283 yep, at the end of the day it's just steel. It can be infinitely recycled and remade into something new. If things don't work out, chuck it and try again. There's always some fresh stock to take your frustrations out on 🫠

    • @tom-vf1xv
      @tom-vf1xv Рік тому

      No, its the banker. 😏

  • @sloppyfloppy79
    @sloppyfloppy79 Рік тому +38

    Been a blacksmith for 20 years, forged in fire contestant. Thank you for this episode! I love you guys!

    • @seronymus
      @seronymus Рік тому +2

      How was it to compete, wow, I'm jealous I hope to train and enter one day

    • @JayEmGe
      @JayEmGe Рік тому +4

      I certainly hope your username doesn't reflect your works! Hahaha

  • @shotgunl
    @shotgunl Рік тому +17

    I have a lot of respect for smiths, especially those keeping the skill alive today. Here in southern Indiana, my great-grandfather passed on what he knew of the trade to my uncle, who then expanded his knowledge, learning from others around the country. Though my great-grandfather's work with the craft was the more practical side for his farm and some work for others in the community, my uncle became interested in and skilled in knife making. My father learned some from my uncle, enough to help out, but I never did and regret it at this point, since my uncle passed away about 5 years back. I wonder if Jon and my uncle (Billy Merritt) crossed paths at anytime, since I believe their interests were well aligned, but either way I believe he would have loved the channel and would have loved how you try to preserve history and educate.

    • @toddellner5283
      @toddellner5283 Рік тому +1

      Here in the Northwest we are lucky enough to have a very active blacksmithing community. I feel very fortunate to have connected with them.

  • @charliehay1520
    @charliehay1520 Рік тому +4

    I met Mr Townsend many years ago at Martin's Station in lee County VA Where i live..this man is just as pleasant and friendly in real life as he is on UA-cam..
    This channel and Mr Townsend is a national treasure by keeping and teaching us the forgotten ways of our past..
    Mr Townsend if you read this thank you sir for sharing all you know about the past and for being the man you are sir

  • @sebastianucero7535
    @sebastianucero7535 Рік тому +3

    Or rather, a job that provides a level of confort and progress to a comunity.
    Carpenters, potters, farmers and fishers are the core of a human society pre iron age.
    But all those jobs can be more sucessful and ocuppy less time with the produce of a blacksmith.
    The hunter gatheres of our past will pay with their lives to have what the BSmiths provide.
    Thank you John for another marvellous video.

  • @stevefury90
    @stevefury90 Рік тому +8

    I'm not american, I'm not familiar with american culture or history, but the videos of this channel gives me so much peace and joy.

  • @scriosin1711
    @scriosin1711 Рік тому +4

    Thank you for this video! It's very appreciated! I've been a blacksmith for 6 years now, and I can't seem to make as much as I'd like to, but it's one of the most accomplished feelings when you finish a piece of hardware, cutlery, or tools. I've never made screws before, but to be able to make such common pieces of hardware would change my life. I'll get there!!

    • @Kuchenwurst
      @Kuchenwurst Рік тому

      ​@@Feribrat99 Isn't it always going to be shiny when you cut the thread with a threader? 😅🤔

  • @potatertot360
    @potatertot360 Рік тому +5

    I love when you guys have experts come and talk with you about their thing, and though I still have trouble understanding Jamie when I can't also read his lips, the automatic captions are okay for this one. Good enough to understand what he's saying, at least, which is not always the case with auto-generated text. I think blacksmithing is really cool because it's like...it's engineering, it's art, it's problem solving and troubleshooting...and the modern innovations are pretty much just more efficient ways to do what they've always been doing (like propane forges and powered hammers). I don't know about it being the "most important" job, because the whole point of being a specialist is being part of a community. A blacksmith on his own wouldn't have time for smithing if he also had to learn carpentry to build his home, farming to put food on his table, etc, but it is certainly a very important part of the community.

  • @copperdragon2009
    @copperdragon2009 Рік тому +5

    While these videos are oriented around 17th-18th century living, I've found these are also incredibly useful and intriguing to use in some fantasy role playing games. Well done, sir.

  • @freezinweasle1
    @freezinweasle1 Рік тому +1

    Thank you! I appreciate your video. I truly love being a blacksmith. I have been at it for about 14 years now and have slowed it down to a hobby. Best time spent is at a hot coal fire and swinging at hot iron.

  • @kimiOfDieLinke
    @kimiOfDieLinke Рік тому +1

    Blacksmithing is one of the hardest crafts to learn. Every single simple piece is a work of art in a way.

  • @argonwheatbelly637
    @argonwheatbelly637 Рік тому +6

    Smithing is one of the crafts i refer to as being part of the "Ring of Fire." Yes, I co-opted the term, but it's similar to a "River Industry," as in those using river power to drive their machinery. And there is overlap.
    I used to smith long ago. Hooks, tools, etc. It's both craft and art. And long long ago, it was incredibly important.
    Still is...

  • @deanoverton3595
    @deanoverton3595 4 місяці тому +1

    Yes sir I just watched the video on Black smithing and you we're right Black smithing was and still is the most important job in the world today even though it has gotten modernized I remember my lesson on Black Smithing I'm not saying that I'm a master of it but I do know how to make some to Crewed tools and weapons when I need it just like my Dad youst to say I don't care how modernized things get it don't mean Jack if you forget the old ways of doing of doing things sir ,and I have learned a lot from your program and I thank you for that my Friend

  • @lilykatmoon4508
    @lilykatmoon4508 Рік тому +1

    Blacksmithing is fascinating and blacksmiths were considered magical in many cultures. I have a younger cousin who is a blacksmith and was in a TV competition recently. Fascinating video. I really appreciate all you do to bring history alive for your viewers ❤

  • @Stunned67
    @Stunned67 Рік тому +1

    Entertainment and information like this has yet to be topped in my books. Bravo on continually delivering a wonderful and refined program that generations to come can enjoy 🤗

  • @aaronhannah4271
    @aaronhannah4271 Рік тому +1

    You do great work. Thank you!

  • @dannyl2598
    @dannyl2598 Рік тому +1

    Thank you.I think you are right. I was surprised when on a visit to James Town, the guide asked if anyone had skills that would have been useful in the settlement? I said, I do Blacksmithing. That's when he explained what you just said about all of the things that a Blacksmithing would be called on to do.

  • @djwheels66
    @djwheels66 Рік тому +2

    All of your videos are absolute GOLD!!!! And this is another good one. I love the food videos. But blacksmithing is something I have been waiting to see!!

  • @muizxmuiz
    @muizxmuiz Рік тому +38

    even in MMORPG and many gaming series, Blacksmith is such an important cultural icon.

    • @SetuwoKecik
      @SetuwoKecik Рік тому +4

      Sadly so far i only find one case where its a playable job: Ragnarok Online 😢

    • @FirebladesSong
      @FirebladesSong Рік тому +6

      @@SetuwoKecik Lord Of The Rings Online has it split into several categories, but you can make an alright profit with them.

    • @JamesGalipeau-h7i
      @JamesGalipeau-h7i Рік тому +1

      The Elder Scrolls franchise. nuff said.

    • @SetuwoKecik
      @SetuwoKecik Рік тому

      @@FirebladesSong neat

    • @LordTutTut
      @LordTutTut Рік тому

      The smiths in monster hunter are always great lads

  • @1998232v6
    @1998232v6 Рік тому +3

    I never really thought of the importance of the blacksmith in the revolutionary war until now. They truly are the unsung hero.

    • @Eric1-373
      @Eric1-373 Рік тому +2

      They were the unsung hero in almost every major military endeavor from 2,000 BC to the 1920's.
      They're weapon making skills as a group effort could make or break an army at times.

  • @Neitherreal
    @Neitherreal Рік тому +201

    Smithies were considered magical in a lot of cultures, borderline, witchcraft and alchemy.

    • @SheyD78
      @SheyD78 Рік тому +18

      There's even a movie about it, called Erementari I think. A blacksmith who trapped a devil. Based on a folk tale I believe. (Don't remember if it was a GOOD movie or not)

    • @gravity3268
      @gravity3268 Рік тому +1

      Especially some of the Dwarves mythical weaponry.

    • @agimagi2158
      @agimagi2158 Рік тому +2

      Great scott, I'm so stupid, I read "Smoothies" and was so confused 😂. There is definitely something magical about smithing, I always loved to watch it.

    • @kuzniakarkonosze715
      @kuzniakarkonosze715 Рік тому +1

      As a blacksmit of 3yrs, I will say it hasn’t completely changed.
      It is pretty mutch like learning alchemy unless you stop at making nails. Also people still view things made by us as inherently magical and of superior qualities.

    • @jaysonlima7196
      @jaysonlima7196 Рік тому +10

      ​@@SheyD78 I happen to know that on, Its also why blacksmiths "ring" their anvils...
      So once there was a blacksmith along this road, no one remembers where as it was so long ago now. But one day as the smith was working in his smithy hammering away, when this man comes up to him seaking a pair of shoes.
      Being quite tired from his toils he didn't ask too many questions just set to measuring the man for his shoes, and set to work stoking his forge, and building up his fires hot. Soon he had his coals glowing nicely and set a billet in to heat, and as he was working on shaping the first shoe, he got to thinking, what kind of man needs iron shoes and has hooves instead of feet, and did he not have a forked tail. WHY!?! I bet he was hiding a set of horns beneath that large hat he was wearing. The more he worked the iron the more sure he was that he had the devil himself come to his shop, and when he paused working he kept rapping the hammer on the anvil so as to sound busy.
      Now this was a moral dilemma indeed, for if he finished the shoes he would have had shod and aided, the Devil in his works, and would become complicit. No that wouldn't do at all. But If he refused to complete the shoes would he not be breaking his word?
      He decided that he must finish his work, but as he grudgingly heated and hammered, an idea came to him. Is not a poorly shod horse soon nearly lame from the pain? He would sabotage the Devils shoes! The first shoe he made slightly warped and bent so that the hoof wearing it could never sit flat and would rock back and forth. The second shoe he made too small and made this one warped as well, but this one was warped in such a way that in use it would cause the hoof to split!.
      Finally finished with his work he called the Devil in to be shod with his new shoes, and the Devil being quite smug with himself hadn't thought that a simple blacksmith could trick him, didn't even inspect his new shoes.
      Then as the blacksmith, trimmed the hooves he trimed them uneven so that one was taller than the other, and on the short one he was sure to nip the quick, causing the Devil to howl in pain! But the Devil did not protest, he needed the shoes did he not? Next as the blacksmith nailed the shoes on he used extra long nails and drove them right through the hoof. Now normally when a nail goes through a hoof you trim the nail, so you can get the shoe off. But that wasn't the plan, the plan was to make it impossible to take those shoes off because a bent nail can not be drawn out of a hoof.
      Soon the Devil was simply writhing in pain, as the last nail was peened over. As he left the shop he could barely stand and could hardly walk.
      But he remembers for all time what the blacksmith had did to him.
      Now this fable is used to explain a few different things
      1, why blacksmiths ring the anvil (keeps the devil away because he is now afraid of the sound)
      2, why you should never ring an anvil unless you are working (because although he fears the sound it also gets his attention and and if he sees you aren't actually working on anything, he will come right on into the shop)
      3, why horseshoes are lucky (they remind the devil of his pain and cause him to not want anything to do with them)
      Neat little story, best told to children around a fire, and told in a very loud and animated way, lots of pantomime.

  • @SaturatedSammie
    @SaturatedSammie Рік тому +11

    The blacksmith is only second to wonderful teachers like yourself, John. Thanks for being an inspiration throughout the years.

  • @josephmaschari1073
    @josephmaschari1073 Рік тому +1

    Great video. I do blacksmithing as a hobby, and still learning everytime I watch someone I see a new way of doing it better.

  • @FacesintheStone
    @FacesintheStone Рік тому

    Long time fan lurking. Thanks for sharing your time with us all.

  • @rubenskiii
    @rubenskiii Рік тому

    Always looking forward to a Townsend's video.
    Very informative and inspirational.
    Greetings from the Netherlands🇳🇱.

  • @toddellner5283
    @toddellner5283 Рік тому +1

    As luck would have it I just arrived home from the annual convention of the Northwest Blacksmith Association. It was wonderful as always. A couple hundred artists, craftspeople, metallurgists, farriers, and ironworkers getting together to talk shop and keep an old trade moving forward is a wonderful thing.

  • @ragingauroch1690
    @ragingauroch1690 Рік тому +6

    I've wanted to start my own blacksmithing journey for a long time now, but man, are anvils expensive lol
    Thank you for carrying on the history, knowledge, and traditions of the past. Hope yall are doing well

    • @kimfleury
      @kimfleury Рік тому +1

      Well, the anvil had to be forged 😅

    • @Fogyt121
      @Fogyt121 Рік тому +1

      go to a scrapyard and ask for a big hunk of steel

    • @fciron
      @fciron Рік тому

      Yes, there's no need for a London pattern anvil, most blacksmithing in the history of the world was done on square blocks of steel. Mass and a few square edges are far more important than a horn. A vise mounted nearby can hold Hardy tools and pipes or round bars to form curves.

  • @StripeyType
    @StripeyType Рік тому

    I'm pleased that you speak here about how the smith was an "inventor, and mechanic". We have many (MANY!) surviving technical books from the late nineteenth century which make it very clear that the people who were working with metal were exactly that. Your period is a good century earlier, but it is in the mid nineteenth century that we start to really see smiths using tools we would recognize as still being in use today: lathes and presses. Of course clock and watchmakers were using lathelike fixtures (the "turns" - driven by hand with a bow! as recently as the 1970's these were still in use this way by watchmakers!) but the in the nineteenth century the blacksmiths got in on the game, and at the time there was no distinction between the specializations within the trade. A smith was a smith, and might as easily have been working at the forge as at the lathe, though now we call those folks machinists.

  • @spoonermanhd2607
    @spoonermanhd2607 Рік тому

    Been making knives and such with my brother's as a hobby. Learned a little cnc machining and I've been working on my carpentry skills too. You should always try to learn new skills when you can so fulfilling and your beholden to no one. Making your own pocket knives and getting people asking if you can make them one will never get old.

  • @this_is_patrick
    @this_is_patrick Рік тому +11

    Ooh, you guys have a "The Most Important Job" video showcasing bakers too. Will this be a series?

  • @renecomedy
    @renecomedy Рік тому

    I learn so much from this channel. Thank goodness the townsends are around.

  • @michaelsundblom2766
    @michaelsundblom2766 Рік тому

    Thank you for the incredible passion that transfers right through the screen

  • @ohiorusty4982
    @ohiorusty4982 Рік тому

    This documentary hits close to home as I am a Blacksmith, and have been a Blacksmith at a historical village for the last 10 years. I truly enjoy making anything historical and demonstrating for the public the importance the blacksmith played in the everyday life of a village and the people.

    • @74stevedc
      @74stevedc Рік тому

      Are you at Sturbridge Village I'm Massachusetts?

    • @ohiorusty4982
      @ohiorusty4982 Рік тому

      @@74stevedc I am at Robbins Crossing Historical Village in Nelsonville Oh. on the campus of Hocking Tech.

  • @gtbkts
    @gtbkts Рік тому +3

    Thanks for the awesome content and great videos!

  • @mdube391
    @mdube391 Рік тому

    This was my favorite video so far and I've watched many. Thank you so much for all your great content over the years from building to food preparation as well as gems like this highlighting people who played key roles in establishing the world we live in today.
    Much love and respect from Atlantic Canada 🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦

  • @GuntherRommel
    @GuntherRommel Рік тому

    Mr. Tyree was a very worthy guest for the channel, Jon. Absolutely wonderful episode!

  • @spazenut7297
    @spazenut7297 Рік тому +26

    I love blacksmiths

  • @I.R.O.N.M.A.N
    @I.R.O.N.M.A.N Рік тому +1

    *_You can imagine the quality and skills the old Blacksmiths had from a simple example. The 400 yrs old Cannons are still in good shape, but the new ones are getting rusted within 20yrs of span or so. Hats off to the Old Blacksmiths._*

  • @romandybala
    @romandybala Рік тому +1

    9:09. Diagonal brace on barn door is the wrong way round.

  • @mrgunn2726
    @mrgunn2726 Рік тому +1

    Great video as always Mr. Townsend. I would make the case though, the iron maker is the most important, because without iron there is no blacksmith. The pillars of civilization: Man's most important invention, fire, for without fire man is cold and hungry. Man's second greatest invention, metal working, for man is a tool maker and needs swords and plow shears. Man's third most important invention, plumbing, for man cannot live without clean water and he cannot he cannot live close to his neighbors.

  • @gianni6855
    @gianni6855 Рік тому

    Townsends, thank you for the content you provide. To see how your channel dives into history is amazing! God bless.

  • @fancyultrafresh3264
    @fancyultrafresh3264 Рік тому

    Thank you for showing us Mr. Tyree's work.

  • @pjstatenisland1575
    @pjstatenisland1575 Рік тому +1

    One of best videos you guys have done. Love it and learned so much!

  • @Real_Mick3y6
    @Real_Mick3y6 Рік тому +2

    I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure my grandpa and his family was one of the last substinence farmers in Europe. He's been doing metal work (I'm not sure what it's technically called) for pretty much as long as he's been in America. Even though this is all much older than him, it still gives me a glimpse into what my ancestors did for hundreds of years, thanks for this knowledge!

  • @larva5606
    @larva5606 Рік тому +1

    As a hobbyist blacksmith I would have to agree that it's pretty important 😂. Thanks for making a video specifically on this. I love this craft.

  • @danielsampson5306
    @danielsampson5306 Рік тому +3

    My great great grandfather and my great great great grandfather were blacksmiths. I assume there were more blacksmiths in the family. I recently came across a historical article featuring my great great grandfather. He really was an artist. In his shop, he had built a small replica boat of the Riverboat Cincinnati. I'm trying to track it down but I don't know if it still exists. I hope it does. Anyhow, thanks for the video. It's good to know about this important career of the time.

  • @paulschwartz2464
    @paulschwartz2464 Рік тому

    I really love this content. THANK YOU for giving us an insight to the past and, perhaps, a road into the future. You teach us skills that we all need to thrive as a civilization.

  • @terryt.1643
    @terryt.1643 Рік тому +94

    It’s a chicken and egg concept. You wouldn’t have blacksmiths without farmers. Farmers are the most important, I think. Blacksmiths need farmers, farmers need blacksmiths. I really like your statement, “Without blacksmiths we’d be in the Stone Age.” I’m going to tell our blacksmith interpreter that. 👍👍

    • @sloppyfloppy79
      @sloppyfloppy79 Рік тому +14

      This blacksmith is also a farmer. When you don't have iron, you use wood and stone.

    • @olskool3967
      @olskool3967 Рік тому +1

      chicken or egg? no question about that at all! God made all the animals first! God made the chicken, and the chicken laid the egg. then along came colonel Sanders,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:))

    • @toddellner5283
      @toddellner5283 Рік тому +8

      If a village loses one farmer it can get by because others with the same skills will take over the land. If the village loses a carpenter it will be harder, but several people will have rough carpentry skills. If it loses the miller or blacksmith it will be much worse because those are complicated skills which are not always intuitive and take many years of extra training. Not having them means the deadly serious business of turning seeds into food drops like a stone. Draft animals don't get shod. Tools break and can't be repaired in time. The mill stops working, and grain has to be ground by hand which means pulling lots of people off of other productive work.
      It's not that metalworking is more important than farming. It means that the impact of losing a few members of that trade makes the marginal life of subsistence farming a lot more marginal.

    • @TamaHawkLive
      @TamaHawkLive Рік тому +3

      Ya it's not really an equal comparison the way you make it seem. Like Todd said the farmer is a very basic skill, you can teach almost anyone botany to the degree to plant and harvest food. Blacksmithing takes years to learn to the extent of making complicated tools and to make them structurally sound for that matter, it's an incredibly in depth process and if you do it wrong it's not only a broken tool it's wasted resources. Farming is a 1 to 1 transfer of time, you put the seed in the tilled ground and you get a plant, you use different techniques with soil for different results but it's the same return, blacksmithing requires immense resources to produce a product and if you're a novice you just wasted a whole lot of other people's time than just a few seeds.

    • @rebeccaholcombe9043
      @rebeccaholcombe9043 Рік тому +4

      ​@@TamaHawkLive Naa, farming is a lot more complicated than you're making it sound. Do you actually Farm? Because the basics are easy concepts, but the refinements take a lifetime to master and are location specific. Communities needed everyone. Loosing a farmer is a problem but survivable, loosing the Smith is a bigger problem, because there's only one of them or maybe one plus apprentice, per village.

  • @stevesyncox9893
    @stevesyncox9893 10 місяців тому

    I am a bladesmith, learning the blacksmith stuff. Bladesmiths are to blacksmiths like grade 12 to university. Much respect to the Blacksmiths of old.. and now too really. Incredible stuff.

  • @ChillerKarnickel
    @ChillerKarnickel Рік тому

    John townsend is an international treasure for that smile of his alone. He must be protected at all costs.

  • @fredb4968
    @fredb4968 Рік тому

    The channel "Space dock" used footage from your blacksmithing video. Nice to see that you have such a great out reach

  • @niros9667
    @niros9667 Рік тому

    Another fantastic mini documentary. Thanks Townsends!

  • @koroshghanbarzadeh1360
    @koroshghanbarzadeh1360 Рік тому

    Thank you, these videos are a joy to watch.

  • @slowguy66
    @slowguy66 Рік тому +3

    Blacksmithing is so fun and enjoyable. Making a useful tool like a knife or a hammer and then using that tool is a great feeling.

    • @Mamaazhiiwe
      @Mamaazhiiwe Рік тому +1

      When I was 9, I took a class on Saturday afternoons where I took a hunk of steel, a piece of brass, a block of wood, and a scrap of hide and made knife all by myself. I have never been prouder of anything else I have ever made in my life. I think everyone should have the experience of making real, useful tools from scratch, or near scratch at least. 45 years later, I still keep it with me wherever I go.

  • @P_4BKM77
    @P_4BKM77 3 місяці тому

    I simply love all the arts of humanity, farming, alchemy, maths, phylosophy, stuff that has to do with material, theorical stuff, its amazing, and im always hungry for more!

  • @josephchicone7585
    @josephchicone7585 Рік тому +2

    I have worked as a blacksmith and horseshoer for the past 43 years. Our trade is still alive and well , as my body is showing old age and much wear , I have taken to making saddlery and leather goods. Thank you for your support!

  • @Mitchasauraus
    @Mitchasauraus Рік тому

    Blacksmithing is such a wonderful craft! Been smithing for 4 years and you never stop learning, if anyone reading this is thinking of getting into it, just do it!

  • @gjcascade652
    @gjcascade652 Рік тому

    I truly enjoy blacksmithing. I enjoying making rustic useful items that will last beyond a lifetime.

  • @Louis-qi1gz
    @Louis-qi1gz Рік тому +1

    The hamer dings on old tools are like a finger print of the blacksmith who is long gone but still lives on ❤l

  • @alitlweird
    @alitlweird Рік тому

    *_”The blacksmith and the artist_*
    *_Reflect it in their art_*
    *_They forge their creativity_*
    *_Closer to the heart”_*
    *_-Geddy Lee, Closer to the Heart_* 🇨🇦

  • @Pandorash8
    @Pandorash8 Рік тому

    There’s a great UK series called, “Turn Back Time - The High Street.” It highlighted to me just how important the blacksmith was to life before mass production. And it was interesting just how quickly their use diminished. Such a fascinating show, I recommend people watch it if they can. I love watching history being practically explored, which is why I love Townsends content so much 🥰

  • @SBS-_-
    @SBS-_- Рік тому

    Thank you for all your great videos! Lately I've been silversmithing. I'm gonna try some of your old fashioned cooking recipes soon!

  • @fractode
    @fractode Рік тому

    There's another reason some folks liked the blacksmith. I remember visiting the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, several years ago. It was in the summer, but as I stood in the blacksmith's shop all I could think of is how great it would have been to have been the smith's best pal in the dead of Maine winter...! 👍

  • @brunocavaledo
    @brunocavaledo Рік тому +1

    For me, it is the most important profession because was through this beautiful profession that we were able to achieve the technological level we have today. I am a blacksmith here in Brazil, and I am very proud of my profession.

  • @ValhallaIronworks
    @ValhallaIronworks Рік тому +45

    As a full time blacksmith living in the 21st century, I approve this message 😂

    • @gareth6972
      @gareth6972 Рік тому

      If I may ask, can Blacksmithing still be a reliable living in this day and age where it's easier for so many people to just buy cheap, mass produced stuff that just ends up thrown away and replaced within so little time?

    • @jerbear7952
      @jerbear7952 Рік тому +1

      If you worked a little faster you could be part time ;)

  • @happenstancially4132
    @happenstancially4132 Рік тому

    Don’t forget that they were also the dentist of the day!
    I started with an introduction when I was 12, and held my apprenticeship till I was around 18.
    I’ve moved up from apprenticeship, but I still learn things now and then that astounds me!

  • @michaelschermuly1419
    @michaelschermuly1419 Рік тому +1

    Great topic! From one traveling man to another.

  • @Joshua.McNabb
    @Joshua.McNabb Рік тому +1

    Every time I watch a Townsends video I become more convinced that I’m living in the wrong century

  • @carolynharmon7074
    @carolynharmon7074 Рік тому

    Yes, I agree! Like you said the other jobs are not possible without the work of the blacksmith. It's definitely a Very Important Art.

  • @immortalmecha8770
    @immortalmecha8770 Рік тому

    I drive through Limestone every day, between Greeneville and Johnson City. It’s cool to see a smith from there appearing on your channel.

  • @GerstBladeworks
    @GerstBladeworks Рік тому

    I love your videos and it just so happened that I stumbled upon it today as I haven't watched your channel in a few months,(I'm much more active on it in the fall 🍁) I'm training right now to be a bladesmith or armorer as they would have been back then but what I thought you would really get a kick out of is that Meriwether Lewis is a direct ancestor of mine!

  • @davidwilliamson4530
    @davidwilliamson4530 Рік тому

    Hello mister, enjoy your videos so very much. You forgot to mention the folks that work in the iron works , making wort iron. Having spent 14 years working in this field i can understand how some people can over look this line on work. Have a go at pouring out 3000 kg of iron each day and im sure you will understand my thoughts. Loved the recipe for the scotch eggs, take some of these when i go hunting for deer or just a walk in the forest. Cheers to all of you.

  • @smidjepeter
    @smidjepeter Рік тому

    indeed, everything made of metal should be made by people like me !! 😉
    i work in a museum here in belgium, an archaeological museum where everything is explained as it used to be, but europe is very different from america.
    always being able to gain knowledge of your channel, that gives me joy from the craft to see how it used to be.
    Thank you for the video!!

  • @FarmsteadForge
    @FarmsteadForge Рік тому

    As a blacksmith myself I enjoyed this video! Thank you for the history.

  • @patrickduis
    @patrickduis Рік тому

    I really like the movies you make. Thanks for putting in the effort and share them

  • @TheHighrailer
    @TheHighrailer Рік тому +5

    It is going to be a good day when you wake up to a new Townsends video.

  • @dwaynewladyka577
    @dwaynewladyka577 Рік тому

    I saw a blacksmith at a historical site, a few years ago. It was very fascinating to see. This was awesome. Cheers!

  • @silverjohn6037
    @silverjohn6037 Рік тому +1

    If memory serves there were also whitesmiths who did the final polishing and finishing on roughly made products from the blacksmith. There were also tinsmiths who dealt with tin plated sheets of steel to make things like bowls and lanterns, copper smiths who did decorative work and light kitchen utensils like saucepans, gun smiths who made a completed gun (lock, stock and barrel) and the locksmiths who made door locks but who also did the highly skilled part of making the flintlocks for the guns of period.

    • @artinaam
      @artinaam Рік тому

      Not forgetting the armoursmiths and swordsmiths who specialised in the production of plate armour and blades (although the former were already in steep decline in the 18th century).

  • @mattorama
    @mattorama Рік тому +1

    I worked with iron in a forge back in high school metal shop. It's real cool for about two minutes until you realize how much effort it takes to swing that hammer.

  • @bruceallen6016
    @bruceallen6016 Рік тому

    Good points about the importance of a blacksmith. Without him most other jobs would be so much harder.

  • @fdajax5107
    @fdajax5107 Рік тому +1

    I'm glad you're making more of this series!
    Isn't division of labour great

  • @johnkim791
    @johnkim791 Рік тому

    This was a great episode thank you!

  • @tropifiori
    @tropifiori Рік тому

    I have a little Smithy. I am not very good at it. It is amazing fun. Wonderful stuff. Great video
    Frank

  • @najroe
    @najroe Рік тому

    that last about knowing how a thing is made is certainly true, and I have done the same, some items I have made hundreds of before I was satisfied with the quality other where easier, nails are harder than you might expect but still not as difficult as a chain and so on.

  • @bobh64
    @bobh64 Рік тому

    Blacksmithing and the coopers were essential for any village. We have Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth NH they used to have people recreating life in the 17th, 18th & 19th century life there.

  • @icarusjumped2719
    @icarusjumped2719 28 днів тому

    You found the rare Ginger Wookie. An interesting species, has thinner hair but is bright orange and has a penchant for metal work. Good find. Added to the book.