WJS Kent branch

A history of blacksmithing

Report of meeting 25th February 2010

A history of blacksmithing, by Dr. R.G. Baker, MA, PhD, CEng, FWeldI, FIMMM. This was a joint meeting hosted by Kent WJS and supported by CQI, IMI & IRTE.

Dr. Baker, who is the son and grandson of working blacksmiths in rural Wiltshire, provided an understanding of the importance of the blacksmith over the five millennia that iron has been used by man. Before the industrial revolution, history relies on mythology, archaeological finds and some isolated records and Dr. Baker referred to details from the Bible and Greek mythology. Documentary evidence appeared only from the 13th century. The blacksmith was originally involved at the smelting stage to work the metal into small blooms before it could be used to make anything. Dr. Baker explained early furnace temperatures were incapable of attaining the 1600 deg C necessary to melt pure iron, but the low carbon iron produced, which contained a great deal of slag, was very malleable and could be hammered into blooms and further worked at elevated temperatures to squeeze out the slag to make useable metal tools and artefacts. It was not until the 13th century that cast iron (approx. 4.5%C), which melts at around 1200 deg C, could be produced. This provided an alternative route to produce steel by reducing the carbon level by oxidation. By this time, the greater volumes of production reduced costs and brought iron and steel tools within reach of a much broader range of the population. The local blacksmith became progressively more essential until his heyday in the period 1750-1800. From then on, the specialisation, centralisation, standardisation and reduced cost of production, which arose from the industrial revolution, began to restrict the scope and quantity of work the blacksmith undertook, causing a diminution in the number of village blacksmiths.

Dr. Baker indicated that the local blacksmith had been at the centre of village life, not only providing the tools for all the other trades and all the iron & steel items for domestic use too, but also as a centre of communication and gossip. However, despite industrialisation, there is still a need for individual blacksmiths for such practices as horse shoeing, agricultural repairs and the production and restoration of wrought iron work, e.g. gates and railings.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Bob Baker for his time in preparing such an interesting presentation, including personal reminiscences of his father's work as a village blacksmith in the mid 20th century. Our thanks must also go to Mid-Kent College for permission to hold this, our first lecture at their newly opened Medway Campus and to members of their staff for organising facilities for us. Attendance: Total 25 (WJS declared 5).

N E Baldwin - Committee, Kent Branch