Scratchbuild - Blacksmith's workshop

Blacksmiths never worked with anything except iron. Redsmiths worked with copper alloys. Whitesmiths worked with lead and tin alloys. Silversmiths worked with silver. Goldsmiths worked with gold. They all had their own separate guilds and there were rigid demarcation restrictions with breaches being punished with heavy fines or expulsion. Blacksmiths were often forbidden from making weapons, too. There was a separate guild for that, which usually required a special licence from the Crown.

shazzdan wrote:I thought that previous posts show that I'm pretty pedantic about historical accuracy...

Well, yes, of course; we’ve even discussed your persnicketies about such directly, remember?  My take-away had been that, for you, there is a distinction between the historical and the fantastical which ought to be forthright, readily observable, and discernible, in earnest - and that that’s where you had said sprang your most particular pedantic discretion and frustration.  

This, though, being without a set period, seems to be skirting that line; are you reluctant to call it a fantasy project, per se?  Because I had really begun to hope that your lack of a specific would allow you the liberty to go a bit buck wild (your “Mad Scientist Gadgetry" certainly evidences your ability to pull off that kind of creativity with a sweetness).

Regardless of your decision, I’m sure that the result will be excellent - but you have to see the potential that this has as a fantasy piece...  


I’m not trying to put you on the spot here, nor am I telling you what you should or shouldn’t do - as such is absolutely your decision; but these key details which you’ve stated here seem to be of considerable substance to you; and yet, without a distinctly specified milieu - why not simply run amok with it?  

Again, it’s bound to be "fantastic" no matter what you do...  

shazzdan wrote:Blacksmiths never worked with anything except iron. Redsmiths worked with copper alloys. Whitesmiths worked with lead and tin alloys. Silversmiths worked with silver. Goldsmiths worked with gold. They all had their own separate guilds and there were rigid demarcation restrictions with breaches being punished with heavy fines or expulsion. Blacksmiths were often forbidden from making weapons, too. There was a separate guild for that, which usually required a special licence from the Crown.

Obviously I didn't know that so thank you for the education, any idea when that came into effect? I'm thinking about Northern Europe only.

PureEnergy wrote:

shazzdan wrote:I thought that previous posts show that I'm pretty pedantic about historical accuracy...

Well, yes, of course; we’ve even discussed your persnicketies about such directly, remember?  My take-away had been that, for you, there is a distinction between the historical and the fantastical which ought to be forthright, readily observable, and discernible, in earnest - and that that’s where you had said sprang your most particular pedantic discretion and frustration.  

This, though, being without a set period, seems to be skirting that line; are you reluctant to call it a fantasy project, per se?  Because I had really begun to hope that your lack of a specific would allow you the liberty to go a bit buck wild (your “Mad Scientist Gadgetry" certainly evidences your ability to pull off that kind of creativity with a sweetness).

Regardless of your decision, I’m sure that the result will be excellent - but you have to see the potential that this has as a fantasy piece...  


I’m not trying to put you on the spot here, nor am I telling you what you should or shouldn’t do - as such is absolutely your decision; but these key details which you’ve stated here seem to be of considerable substance to you; and yet, without a distinctly specified milieu - why not simply run amok with it?  

Again, it’s bound to be "fantastic" no matter what you do...  

I've studied historical metalworking and archeometallurgy for decades. After deciding upon this project I narrowed my research specifically to historical blacksmithing. After all that I still can't determine any substantial difference between a 14th century blacksmith and a 19th century blacksmith apart from the things I have already mentioned. If you know any different, something that will force me to select a specific time period, then please tell me.

shazzdan wrote:

PureEnergy wrote:

shazzdan wrote:I thought that previous posts show that I'm pretty pedantic about historical accuracy...

Well, yes, of course; we’ve even discussed your persnicketies about such directly, remember?  My take-away had been that, for you, there is a distinction between the historical and the fantastical which ought to be forthright, readily observable, and discernible, in earnest - and that that’s where you had said sprang your most particular pedantic discretion and frustration.  

This, though, being without a set period, seems to be skirting that line; are you reluctant to call it a fantasy project, per se?  Because I had really begun to hope that your lack of a specific would allow you the liberty to go a bit buck wild (your “Mad Scientist Gadgetry" certainly evidences your ability to pull off that kind of creativity with a sweetness).

Regardless of your decision, I’m sure that the result will be excellent - but you have to see the potential that this has as a fantasy piece...  


I’m not trying to put you on the spot here, nor am I telling you what you should or shouldn’t do - as such is absolutely your decision; but these key details which you’ve stated here seem to be of considerable substance to you; and yet, without a distinctly specified milieu - why not simply run amok with it?  

Again, it’s bound to be "fantastic" no matter what you do...  

I've studied historical metalworking and archeometallurgy for decades. After deciding upon this project I narrowed my research specifically to historical blacksmithing. After all that I still can't determine any substantial difference between a 14th century blacksmith and a 19th century blacksmith apart from the things I have already mentioned. If you know any different, something that will force me to select a specific time period, then please tell me.

Well, it’s archaeometallurgy...  Common typo…    

  


In answer to your question about what distinguishes the 14th from the 19th... Um, I don't know; the apparent age of stuff?

LOL.  No, sir, I cannot tell you what you should do, nor has that ever been my intention.  I’d only hoped that you might take such opportunity to rather run free, as I had mentioned.  


It’s nothing personal, brother.  Although, I would imagine that an appropriate response to my compliments might have included a note of gratitude.

Sheesh…

PureEnergy wrote:Well, it’s archaeometallurgy...  Common typo…

Yep. I rarely use the word these days. When discussing it with colleagues we usually abbreviate it to "archmetals".

shazzdan wrote:

PureEnergy wrote:Well, it’s archaeometallurgy...  Common typo…

Yep. I rarely use the word these days. When discussing it with colleagues we usually abbreviate it to "archmetals".

Indeed, the vernacular of tradesmen, and all those unnecessary syllables…  


Just to be clear, due to the title of the thread, since day-one my mind has been rather drawn to images of Conan’s village, and that sort of model (with history notwithstanding, of course); since my own work is entirely of fantasy, that’s just the direction in which my mind had gone - necessarily and most immediately.  

Nevertheless, I am entirely inspired by your replications - enough to perhaps attempt my own forge someday (if rather in my own mythological styling).  


But this certainly continues to impress, Shazz.

Haven't done much work since Christmas. The weather has been too hot to spend much time in the workshop. December and January were the hottest months on record - weeks of temperatures over 35 deg C (95 deg F). There were a few days around 43 Deg C.

It took me a while to decide how to do the blockwork and got some inspiration from egg cartons. The texture on egg cartons is exactly what I was after. I didn't have enough so I made my own.

Step 1: soak newspaper in water and blend it into a pulp. Mix with a little PVA glue to act as a binder.




Step 2: Spread out on a screen, press down to compress the structure and squeeze out excess water. Then allow to dry in the sun.




Step 3: Use boxcutter to cut into strips






Step 4: Cut into block-sized pieces




Step 5: Trim with scissors and glue onto object. The paper is pretty absorbent so I needed a lot of glue

The colour turned out pretty good too; I may not need to paint it. It isn't perfect; I should have done the sides first and then added the front to present a clean face up the edges. I think I can fix it by gluing a layer of wet paper over the top of the offending blocks (like papier mache).

Pretty creative. Nice use of homemade product.

I'm a gear-oriented person. I like making and collecting miniature objects but aren't much interested in figures and don't have many in my collection. I've been so fixated on making the equipment that I haven't thought much about a suitable blacksmith figurine. I can make a leather apron but I'll have to buy the rest. If anyone has suggestions for reasonably-priced figures and/or costumes, please post them here.

I am so impressed with all your ingenuity! Words can't express..... except to say I WANNA SEE IT FINISHED! LOL

Honestly though, love the way you made bricks so much, I think I'm going to give that a try! I think it'd make a great rock wall or slump stone perhaps?

Wow. Impressed as hell with the look of those stones! Psyched to see this finished.

Bloody clever idea and great result using recycled paper to get that realistic stone effect!

Very creative how you did that! and well, the whole thing really -- your skills are incredible!

I hadn't seen this thread yet, so I'm glad you updated so I could catch up.

As to your question, are you looking for a ready-made figure (as in, with head and body) that you can modify, or do you want recommendations for specific heads, bodies, etc? I ask as it's harder to recommend the latter without knowing what physical appearance you are aiming for.

skywalkersaga wrote:As to your question, are you looking for a ready-made figure (as in, with head and body) that you can modify, or do you want recommendations for specific heads, bodies, etc? I ask as it's harder to recommend the latter without knowing what physical appearance you are aiming for.

I'm thinking 18th-19th century rural clothing. I'm really just asking for suggestions. I'll know what I want when I see it.

shazzdan wrote:

skywalkersaga wrote:As to your question, are you looking for a ready-made figure (as in, with head and body) that you can modify, or do you want recommendations for specific heads, bodies, etc? I ask as it's harder to recommend the latter without knowing what physical appearance you are aiming for.

I'm thinking 18th-19th century rural clothing. I'm really just asking for suggestions. I'll know what I want when I see it.

Not much around for that period, mostly Napoleonic Wars related or ACW both being military, Some civilian but character specific for films, famous leaders etc.. Your best bet is the good old fashioned ebay hunt, type in 1/6 trousers or pants THEN JUST GO THROUGH THE LISTING UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT YOU WANT, REPEAT FOR BOOTS, SHIRTS ETC.. oops got caps stuck on there. There is a seller who specialises in more unusual period clothing for 1/6, some of it is garbage and overpriced other bits are stuff that is quite rare and has okay prices, he used to be in the UK but moved to Bulgaria; I've been buying from him for years to get odd things for historical, fantasy and even sci-fi builds: BlackAshKitBash

Well, I mean, wouldn't a blacksmith normally be wearing very little due to the heat?

Peaches wrote:Well, I mean, wouldn't a blacksmith normally be wearing very little due to the heat?

Only if he liked getting burnt all the time!!

Ah, I'm showing my ignorance! I was just watching too much Game of Thrones, LOL

I don't know how I came to miss this thread, and forgive me for having done so.

This is amazing, and some of the best craftsmanship I've seen in this forum. So well done. Really looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

CHEERS!

It came together ok. I'm not happy with the paint job but it will do for now. The construction looks simple but there are over 60 hours in this.

It looks amazing. You’re doing great on this.

Wow, that looks seriously awesome!!! Definitely better painted, looks so solid!

Looking so awesome, very impressive!

I actually love the paintjob. This looks incredible! I know you said you're way more focused on the gear than the figure, but I so want to see a figure in there for scale, working this beautiful beast. So Impressed!

I think it looks very realistic. But I am sure you will perfect it further. Well done.

ReverendSpooky wrote:I actually love the paintjob.  This looks incredible!  I know you said you're way more focused on the gear than the figure, but I so want to see a figure in there for scale, working this beautiful beast.  So Impressed!

So would I.

If you haven't seen it, shazz (though I'm sure you have), here's an interesting link with period sketches and paintings:

https://gulfcoastblacksmith.com/discoveries-gallery/paintings-and-sketches/

Here's some cool images I found of blacksmith's shop, etc. (some recreations -- probably from Colonial Williamsburg) that you may find useful:

A recreation of a 19th century blacksmith shop:


An 18th Century recreation:


18th Century Venetian painting:


18th Century recreation:


19th Century blacksmith shop:


19th Century wrought iron nail headers:


Better shot of the 19th century blacksmith shop:


1800s blacksmiths photograph:


1900s blacksmith rendering:


Colonial Williamsburg, circa 1944:


Partial reconstruction of the early 20th century blacksmith shop of John Stueflat:


Recreation of blacksmith shop:


Colonial Williamsburg recreation:


Photo of real blacksmiths, date unknown:


I'm pretty sure this drawing is in the link I provided, with the date:


As far as figures -- if you ever get to that point, I found some heads that you may find appropriate:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EASY-SIMPLE-1-6-Scale-Global-responders-GRS-Head-Sculpt-F12-Male-Toys-Action/173184942753?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-1-6th-Bearded-Head-Sculpt-For-12-Male-Doll/132875748804?hash=item1ef00305c4:g:36AAAOSwsupb3EsD:rk:330

Man, those are fun pictures!