Octopus arms?

[FlordeLuz]

I've been binge-watching blacksmithing vids, and something's been bugging me. When the smith's got a hammer in one hand and a tool in the other, how do they hold the metal they're working on? Seems like they'd need a third hand LOL

 

[Jackson55]

That's an interesting way to put it!
When you're watching views, you only have a limited view of the whole process.
That third hand you're talking about is usually a pair of tongs that the smith is holding the metal with.
Or if they're working with a striker, it's a second person with a sledgehammer who does the heavy hitting while the first smith guides the tool.
For some jobs, a smith will even clamp the work in a post vise so they can use both hands for other tasks.

 

[blvckisking]

Haha, I know what you mean, most of the time they're using tongs or a vise to hold the workpiece. Tongs act like a third hand, letting them manipulate the metal safely while hammering. Some pieces also just rest on the anvil if they're small enough