Metalsmith facts for kids

A bladesmith from Damascus, around 1900.

A metalsmith or simply a smith is a skilled person who makes useful items from different metals. They create things like tools, kitchenware, jewellery, and even weapons.

Working with metal, also called smithing, is one of the oldest jobs involving metal. A key part of smithing is shaping metal with a hammer. This is called forging. Often, the metal is heated in a special oven called a forge before it is hammered.

Smithing can also include other ways of working with metal. This might involve getting pure metal from its ores (called smelting). It can also mean pouring melted metal into molds to create shapes (called casting). Sometimes, smiths use files to shape and size the metal.

The word "Smith" is a very common surname in many languages. This is because working with metal was such an important job for a long time. For example, "Schmidt" in German and "Ferreira" in Portuguese mean "smith." The ending "-smith" can also mean a skilled person, like a "wordsmith" (a writer) or a "tunesmith" (a songwriter).

History of Metalsmiths

In times before big factories, smiths were very important people in their communities. They had a special place in society because they made the metal tools everyone needed. These tools were essential for farming, especially for ploughs. They were also vital for warfare, as smiths made weapons and armor.

Different Kinds of Smiths

A metalsmith is someone who knows how to work with many types of metals. There are many different kinds of smiths, each specializing in certain metals or items.

An illustration by Theodor Kittelsen showing "The Smith and the Baker."

Here are some examples of different smiths:

• A blacksmith works mainly with iron and steel. When people just say "smith," they often mean a blacksmith.
• A bladesmith makes knives, swords, and other sharp blades.
• A coppersmith works with copper.
• A goldsmith creates items from gold.
• A gunsmith builds and fixes firearms.
• A locksmith makes and repairs locks.
• A silversmith works with silver. They are sometimes called a brightsmith.
• A swordsmith is a special kind of bladesmith who focuses only on making swords.
• A tinsmith, also known as a tinner or tinker, works with light metals like tin. They often make or sell tinware.
• A whitesmith works with white metals such as tin and pewter. This term can also mean someone who polishes or finishes metal, rather than forging it.

Artisans and Craftspeople in Metalwork

Coppersmith Abdón Punzo in his workshop in Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico.

"Aeolus's Weathervane." This weather vane was made using various metalsmithing techniques.

The traditional tool for a smith is a forge. This is a special furnace that uses compressed air, often from a bellows, to make the inside very hot. This heat helps to melt, solder, and soften metals. Many blacksmiths still use this traditional tool today.

The term "metalsmith" often refers to artists and craftspeople. They create beautiful items using many different metals, including gold, copper, and silver. Jewelers often call their work "metalsmithing." Many universities offer courses in metalsmithing, jewelry making, and blacksmithing as part of their fine arts programs.

Machinists and Modern Metalwork

Machinists are a type of metalsmith who make very precise parts and tools. They use special machines to create items with great accuracy. The most advanced of these machines are CNC machines. These are controlled by computers and can do much of the work automatically.