Q. I'd like to become a blacksmith, what classes should I take in school?
A.
As a blacksmith, you'll want your metalworking vocabulary to be broad, you'll want to be able to weld and cut with the torch, forge, cast, use machine tools.... My recommendation is to expose yourself to as many of the different ways of working metal as you can, be it through art school or trade school or adult education places like Prospect Hill Forge.
Take an Introduction to Material Science class at least. Having an understanding of what's going on inside the metal is important.
Take classes that will help you learn to think in three dimensions.
Work with clay, work with wire, any material that you push around as opposed to removing parts or sticking parts together.
It will help immeasurably for you to learn to draw, both creative/expressive and technical.
I have found the study of calligraphy to be extremely helpful.
- Carl
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