School group blacksmithing demonstrations

[Ohio Rusty]

Wednesday we had all the 2nd graders from Green Elementary in Logan Ohio come to Robbins Crossing Historical Village to learn about 19th century life. I shared with the groups of students of what a blacksmith did and the importance of hand forged items that would have been used in village life from farming tools, axes, knives forks and spoons down to small things like forged fish hooks. Here I am demonstrating the forging of hand made nails, a very important item that everyone needed and used.

 

[WeldDoneSir]

That was a great demo! Hand-forged nails really illustrate grain flow and the fundamentals of metallurgy. The kids get to observe how heat, hammering, and cooling influence both strength and shape. Nice pic by the way.

 

[Jackson55]

Wednesday we had all the 2nd graders from Green Elementary in Logan Ohio come to Robbins Crossing Historical Village to learn about 19th century life. I shared with the groups of students of what a blacksmith did and the importance of hand forged items that would have been used in village life from farming tools, axes, knives forks and spoons down to small things like forged fish hooks. Here I am demonstrating the forging of hand made nails, a very important item that everyone needed and used.

Cool, that looks like a fantastic demo and experience for the kids!
At that age, I would've learned about it only maybe if I go to a museum but what you did was a better visual!
A nail is something they see everywhere today, so showing them how much work went into one tiny nail back then really drives home the importance of a blacksmith in village life.
I bet they were captivated watching you draw out the point and head it.
Public demos are vital for keeping the craft's history alive!