What is a Blacksmith's "Steady?"

[the veteran]

I am trying to figure out an inscription I read. A blacksmith and there is a small poem about his trade. The first line says, "My steady and hammer lyes reclined." I am trying to figure out what a "steady" is. I looked on Google but could not find anything besides a tool for a lathe, which I do not think would be it. Is a "steady" a tool or maybe an old word for a holdfast? Does anyone have any idea what this might be?

 

[t_bone]

Is a "steady" a tool or maybe an old word for a holdfast?

it can be a holdfast, but in old-timey blacksmithing, a 'steady' could also refer to a post vise, which is a huge vise that's used to hold metal securely while it's being worked on.
Or it could be a simple tool stand or jig used to hold a workpiece steady while the blacksmith works the metal with their hammer. Since the poem is so old, it's probably a term for a tool that's not widely used anymore

 

[Dociron]

A blacksmiths steady is what is often referred to now as a blacksmiths helper. The tool adjustable floor stand used to support longer bars.

 

[jalapeno twister]

I am trying to figure out an inscription I read. A blacksmith and there is a small poem about his trade. The first line says, "My steady and hammer lyes reclined." I am trying to figure out what a "steady" is. I looked on Google but could not find anything besides a tool for a lathe, which I do not think would be it. Is a "steady" a tool or maybe an old word for a holdfast? Does anyone have any idea what this might be?

If I am not mistaken, this refers to tongs. You can forge by placing hot iron on the anvil and striking it, but if it is not held firmly it will shift before you can hit it again.

 

[FPDoc]

It is a device that allows you to position or control work in your forge, either a long piece of stock or shorter piece held, locked in tongs.. so you dont have to just stand and wait.. either a small (I made mine adj for height) "T" top on a small brake drum.. or some larger pan forges have an odd hole cast (one just to each side of the lowered area for long stock) that lets you add a 3/8" round bar, shaped like the handle of a piece of luggage 8"-10" wide and usually maybe 12"-15" length (side to side) and held up when needed by a rod with a ring bend on one end that just stays pushed under the forge whn not needed (like a leg under a fold up table extension). Kind of a third hand for tasks at and around the forge. Sorry for such a long description when a glance at either one in a shop would be absolutely clear. The "lyes reclined" I imagine, would indicate the item tipped over or hanging down and unused in an unused smithy.