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founder:
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Big B Bob
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date created:
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09/06/2009
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no. of members:
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25
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description/mission statement:
To locate, photograph, and waymark existing, historic, and former blacksmith shops.
The trade of the blacksmith dates back to antiquity, with one of the classical Greek gods working as the smithy for that pantheon. Blacksmith shops are likely as old as the profession itself, with the tools of the trade largely unchanged much over the course of history. All a blacksmith needs for his shop is a fire to melt the metal, a hard surface upon which to shape the metal, and tools with which to beat the metal into shape. Thus, blacksmith shops are almost a universal no matter what culture or time period they occur in.
Every blacksmith's shop had the same basic essentials. First there is the forge. Although it puts out a lot of heat, the blacksmith usually works with hot coals and embers rather than a fire. Then there is the anvil, often situated on a pedestal. Tools may vary slightly, but there is generally a hammer and tongs. There is also a barrel of water or other similar item in the shop. Various shaping tools would also be in the shop, but these would vary according to the work the shop does. Custom built tools known as jigs are often crafted for specific tasks.
Nowadays many blacksmiths are artisans, producing custom made works that may be functional or merely decorative. A number of modern blacksmiths ply their trade in period shops at various historic fairs or centers. Despite the modern age, the interior of blacksmith's shops remain the same as they have been for centuries. Although locations may be more contemporary, say in a modern building rather than a period wood-frame shop, the tools inside the shop would be familiar to a blacksmith from the past
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open enrollment: ON
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This group manages the following:
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