Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

It’s mighty hot in there:fun facts about blacksmithing

MONTREAL – Les Forges de Montreal, which teaches the ancient techniques of forging metal, is involved in a lease dispute with the City of Montreal. Some facts about blacksmithing:

— Traditional blacksmithing uses the four elements: earth (the iron); air (to increase heat of coals); water (to cool the metal); and fire (to forge).

— Coal forges in a blacksmith’s workshop reach temperatures of roughly 1,600 C.

— All that is needed to forge metal is coal, an anvil, hammer and borax powder (to prevent oxidation).

— Basic skills needed to learn to be a blacksmith are punching holes through metal, welding two pieces of metal together and cutting metal.

— Preferred metals are iron and steel because of their strength and durability.

— A good student can become a blacksmith in about three years.

— Source: Les Forges de Montreal

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

Related Articles