3 Reasons Why Blacksmithing Is a Great Hobby
1500 BC noted the invention of blacksmithing as an occupation. However, many people still enjoy it as a hobby today. Blacksmithing first gained notoriety among hobbyists about 20 years ago, and it continues to bring the gift of satisfaction to many. Here are three reasons why blacksmithing is a great hobby.
Blacksmithing Is Easy To Learn
Before you start blacksmithing, you must learn the fundamentals. Luckily, there are many resources available for budding blacksmiths.
Edge of the Anvil: A Resource Book for the Blacksmith is an excellent primer for a beginner. Reading books helps for getting comfortable with the terminology of blacksmithing. Your community may offer a metalworking course, but this is not available in every town.
It Is an Affordable Weekend Activity
When looking for a new hobby, the cost is a pivotal factor. Unfortunately, burning through all your money on the weekends is not advised by any financial professional. That is why out of all three reasons why blacksmithing is a great hobby, this one is most valuable.
Thankfully, there are low startup costs for becoming a blacksmith. If you are working with unheated metal, you need only four things: tongs, hammers, vises, and an anvil.
Most people think of heated metal when they picture a blacksmith, which is a bit more expensive when you are starting. You need a forge to heat the metal. A propane forge will start around $250; however, with an acetylene torch, you get high-intensity heat without needing a full-size forge.
You Meet New People Through Blacksmithing
As with any hobby, meeting with like-minded individuals is easy if you reach out. Joining your local chapter of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America allows you to collaborate with other blacksmiths.
This organization offers “open-forge” meetings, where you can share equipment, exchange tips, and discuss blacksmithing in detail. Introductory welding courses from a trade school are another platform for learning about the hobby and meeting new enthusiasts.
Overall, blacksmithing is one of the more practical and inexpensive choices in the grand scheme of hobbies. You work with your hands and create valuable metal objects for work and play. So, if you have the money to get started and the space to do it, what is stopping you from giving it a try?
