Smith (metalwork)
:''For other uses, see
SmithA
smith, or
metalsmith, is a person involved in the shaping of
metal objects. The word
smith is
cognate with the somewhat archaic
English (
Germanic) word "smite", meaning 'to hit' or 'strike'. Originally
smiths practiced their
crafts by forming
metal with hammer blows. In this sense, the English word predates the
Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain.
In
pre-industrialized times, smiths held high or special social standing, as they supplied the metal
tools needed for
farming (especially the
plough) and warfare.As an
English suffix,
-smith connotes a meaning of specialized craftsmen —for example
wordsmith and
tunesmith are adjectives to describe the skill of a
writer or
songwriter, respectively.
Types of smiths include:
*
coppersmith, or brownsmith, works with
copper.
*
blacksmith works with
iron and
steel.
*
whitesmith works with white metal, iron, and can refer to someone who polishes or finishes the metal rather than forging it.
*
goldsmith works with
gold.
*
gunsmith works with
guns.
*
locksmith works with
locks.
*
pewtersmith works with
pewter*
silversmith, or brightsmith, works with
silver.
*
tinsmith, or tinner, works with light
metal, such as tinware, and can refer to someone who deals in tinware.
*
bladesmith - forges
knives, swords and other
blades.
*
swordsmith - a bladesmith who forges only
swords.
*
arrowsmith - forges
arrow heads.
*"
handsmith" - may be used to designate a person practicing crafts not typically associated with metalwork.
The ancient traditional tool of the smith is a
forge or
smithy, which is a
furnace designed to allow compressed air (through a
bellows) to superheat the inside, allowing for efficient melting,
soldering and
annealing of metals. Today, this tool is still widely used by
blacksmiths, as it was traditionally.
The term
metalsmith often refers to artisans and craftpersons, who practice their craft in many different metals including
gold,
copper and
silver.
Jewelers often refer to their craft as
metalsmithing and many universities offer degree programs in metalsmithing, jewelry and blacksmithing under the auspices of their fine arts programs.
machinists are metalsmiths who produce high-precision parts and tools. The most advanced of these tools,
CNC machines, are computer controlled and largely automated.
*
Metalsmith magazine*
forging tongs - animation shows some typical smithing techniques
