I’ve still been ruminating on how all the folks that have helped me to get here have done so. I try to stay thankful, and give back the knowledge I’ve received as freely as it’s been given. I have to balance that with making a living of course, so you know, I do charge for classes.
I do have apprentices, and helpers though. Folks who have over the years lent a hand by swinging a sledge, or holding hot iron while I wield hammer and chisel. So much of this kind of work involves creative problem solving, and having an extra brain and pair of eyes in the shop, is sometimes more helpful then a pair of extra hands.
Smithing over the centuries has always been a team sport. It’s a relatively modern concept to have one person make a big project from start to finish.
As a former apprentice myself I know how tricky it can be to make the time to go work shitty ours in 120 deg heat, for no monetary gain. It can suck sometimes. I’ve had some good folk in my shop over the years, some have just come by for a day or two, some for longer. I am not going to name each one, you know who are, and hopefully I’ve been clear enough that you know I am grateful for your help.
I am going to single one motherfucker out though. Jacob Underhill. I’ve known him for a bit, he’s been a member of the Right Honorable Bearded Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, for some time. Only this past year though, I finally realized that he lived pretty damn close to me. I also realized I like the cut of his jib. Not just because he looks like a pirate half the time either.
Here he is helping out at the Hoggetowne Faire, never missed a day!!!
I am singling this guy out, mainly because he’s done all the right things that a good apprentice should do. The main thing is to show up and do the work, and enjoy the work. Whether it is sweeping the floor, painting the fence, or waxing the cars. You have to be willing show you can do the work.
I probably get an email every other month from someone asking if I need an apprentice. Generally they are someone who can’t immediately afford to pay for classes or equipment, but they do have the passion and excitement and curiosity to start blacksmithing. The passion, excitement, and curiosity are super important, but even more so is steadfastness and work ethic. Early on I would have folks come out for a day or two, only to find they were unable or unwilling to come back. I can’t afford to take time out of my work week to train someone who can not stick around. I get it though, I was there too. I dipped out hard on the blacksmith I was apprenticed to. It’s difficult to balance a full time job that doesn’t pay well, family, household obligations, against going out and working your ass off for knowledge. Knowledge in blacksmithing doesn’t put food on the table today.
Investing in someone only to have them dip out forced me to put up a wall. I learned first hand why some smiths come off as unhelpful or curmudgeonly. It’s nothing personal. Anyway, the point is, Jacob stuck at it. He kept forging on his own, showing up to meetings, being an asset. I would ask “ Hey can somone get me that…..” and he’d be there getting it before I could finish the sentence. It was like he was beating on my thick noggin with a hammer. It finally got through to me that maybe this guy could be useful.
Jacob now runs the Open Forges on Saturday nights. He helps me teach some of my larger private classes, and is there to assist on my larger commissions.
Anyway, Jacob is a good guy and dependable. If you are trying to become an apprentice to someone, you only need to be two out of three of those things: good and dependable. Stubborn helps too. Keep at it, keep hammering on those hard as rock noggins until you break in. It’s very rare that someone lets you in nice and easy.
Anyway, Thanks Jacob, and thanks to those other folk who have been there to help as well.
P.S. I know Rick, you are awesome too, and have helped save my ass on multiple occasions.