The Most Important Job In The World - The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith was the most important person around in the 18th century. Without the Blacksmith, daily life for average folks in the community was nearly impossible. There would be no tools, no cooking utensils, and no surgical instruments. The Blacksmith was an important member of the crew aboard ship, or on any long expedition.

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[jamesofallthings]

I think what we're missing is that the most important thing in the 18th century and throughout history was a cohesive community. Without the farmer there's no ingredients, without the baker there's no bread, without the blacksmith all other trades are much more difficult etc etc.

[romanwolf]

My ancestors were nail makers for the Puritans in Mass. in the 1600s, but they weren't Puritans themselves. One of the first documents we have is them getting fined shillings for cursing out their neighbors. That's my Great (x11) grandpa!

[oldgoatsgarden]

One of my grandfather's apprenticed to his childless uncle as a blacksmith apprentice, 1906, part time as he went to school for a couple of hours to learn English and math, he said his first job was to take a dime and a bucket and go get a bucket of beer every day that sat out with a dipper for the refreshment of the blacksmith and his customers. He worked at blacksmithing and learned mechanics to service the new fangled autos and traction engines that were becoming more popular starting around 1914, driving the first truck in the area ( no cab, springs and solid rubber tires) continuing on to do sheet metal work in the 20s while operating a service station and garage with his younger brother. He went into the trucking business in 29 just before the crash. He continued on doing metal and mechanical work, farming and buying livestock until 1955 in a very rural community until when he went on to full time farming. I still have a few of his and his uncle's tools.

[dr.froghopper]

My grandfather was a blacksmith, born in New Mexico when it was still a Territory. He fed his family throughout the Great Depression by being a blacksmith and a well driller. My father learned some from him but dad’s parents divorced when he was pretty young. Dad wasn’t a proficient blacksmith but he was an outstanding pipe fitter. I inherited my grandfather’s anvil and a love for working with metal. Arthritis in my hands has stopped my large metal work. But I still mess around with small stuff, especially copper, brass and some silver.

[sasssquatch]

There's an old story of a king who has an opening for a workshop within the protective walls of his castle. So he assembles the craftsmen to make a case for themselves as to why they should be chosen to build their shop inside the walls.

The king calls on the carpenters, the head carpenter says "your majesty, without us, there is no lumber, no structures, and no furniture". The king says "this is true, what say the masons?", the head Mason stands and says "your majesty, without us, there would be no castle, no castle walls, no foundations, and no stoneware". The king says " ah yes, masonry is undoubtedly necessary to the survival of my kingdom". The head thatcher stands and says, "but your majesty, what good would these foundations and structures do without our roofs to shield them from the rain and snow?". The other craftsmen start to clammer "but without our bows, how would the castle walls be defended!?", "Without our wine, how would our victories be celebrated!?", "Without our barrels, how would we store food or make wine!?".. as the king starts to attempt to quell the craftsmen, the door opens and in walks in the soot covered blacksmith reeking of smoke. A hush comes over the hall, the king looks at the blacksmith and says "we're discussing who will build their workshop in new opening within the walls, why are you late?". The blacksmith looks at the king, then looks around the room at the other craftsmen and replies "pardon me your majesty, I'm late because I was busy making all of their tools".

I've been a blacksmith for 17 years now, whenever I start to lose motivation to keep forging between working and raising my family, I think of that story, it reminds me why I love my craft.


Quick side note, from what I understand, the reason so many people have the last name "Smith" is because blacksmiths weren't sent to war.. and if their village, town, or city was conquered, the blacksmith and his family were spared because everybody, even invading armies knew they absolutely needed the blacksmith.

[sailorknightwing]

I love the cinematography on these more recent videos, you all do such a great job

[lelandhawk]

There is a connection with old tools you can feel when working with them. Making a tool is also a great feeling. Blacksmithing has helped me get past a very difficult time in my life.

[anarchoutis]

I think this has been one of Townsends best videos, and the input given by Jamie Tyree was absolutely priceless.

[jamesvatter]

As a kid, my grandfather had a blacksmith shop at the farm. That skill has always fascinated me. I guess that's what gravitates me toward the smithing demonstrations at every historical event I attend.

[The_Gentleman_Blacksmith]

"Is the blacksmith the most important job in the world?"

You know I may have to agree.

[satanous_one]

Please never stop making videos, your channel is one of the most wholesome things to exist in such a crazy and turbulant world. Thank you, for what you do.

[Feribrat]

There are 5 of us here that are blacksmiths and my kids grew up doing live demos for the public and selling their wares. We still do the smithing into our 70's and the kids are doing the diligent shop work right now. We have a shop and run a farm.

[moseshorowitz]

The first iron smelter in New England, and possibly North America, was established in the 1650s in Quincy, Massachusetts (then known as North Braintree). It failed after only a few years due to resource issues, but the ruin of the site is still there and can be viewed by the public for free. The Furnace Brook which provided its water power still exists, and runs parallel to the Furnace Brook Parkway, a main avenue in Quincy.

About a decade later a much more successful iron works was established in Saugus, MA, and still exists today as a National Park Service historic site. It has been restored to a working state (though not in use). When last I visited they also had a working blacksmith in residence.

[daughteroftheblackmadonna]

There is probably an argument to be made for several jobs as being the most important.
Farmer, baker, midwife. But this does show how invaluable they would have been. Thanks for a great video, again!

[AMBOSS_Silesia]

As a blacksmith myself with 20 years of experience I struggle with a depression for over 3 years. Thanks for that video. A little shine of motivating light in those grey days.

[shotgunl]

I have a lot of respect for smiths, especially those keeping the skill alive today. Here in southern Indiana, my great-grandfather passed on what he knew of the trade to my uncle, who then expanded his knowledge, learning from others around the country. Though my great-grandfather's work with the craft was the more practical side for his farm and some work for others in the community, my uncle became interested in and skilled in knife making. My father learned some from my uncle, enough to help out, but I never did and regret it at this point, since my uncle passed away about 5 years back. I wonder if Jon and my uncle (Billy Merritt) crossed paths at anytime, since I believe their interests were well aligned, but either way I believe he would have loved the channel and would have loved how you try to preserve history and educate.

[jongakong]

As someone who’s been blacksmithing for 13 years I can say that today the demand depends on the area, where I live there is no demand, no need, and no desire for blacksmiths it’s a hobby that is normally seen as a public nuisance because of how loud it can be

[charliehay]

I met Mr Townsend many years ago at Martin's Station in lee County VA Where i live..this man is just as pleasant and friendly in real life as he is on YouTube..
This channel and Mr Townsend is a national treasure by keeping and teaching us the forgotten ways of our past..
Mr Townsend if you read this thank you sir for sharing all you know about the past and for being the man you are sir

[muizxmuiz]

even in MMORPG and many gaming series, Blacksmith is such an important cultural icon.

[Neitherreal]

Smithies were considered magical in a lot of cultures, borderline, witchcraft and alchemy.