Had a retired farrier call out my forge welding at a demo in Boise last fall

He walked right up mid-strike and said 'son, that billet isn't hot enough in the center, you're just gluing the outside together.' I was annoyed at first but then he showed me his trick with the heat indicator rods he made himself. Cost me a six pack of beer to learn more. Do you guys ever have old timers just show up and humble you in public like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

black.jordan15d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, I gotta be honest, I don't get all worked up over this stuff. Like, the old farrier probably knows his heat treatment, sure, but "humbled" implies I care that much about being wrong in front of a crowd. I've had guys at the bar try to tell me my pour technique on a draft is off, and I just nod and pour them another one. @verac40's story about the anvil stand is cute and all, but it's a stand, not a sword blade. I guess I just don't see the point in acting like a public correction is some kind of career ending moment. You learn one trick, move on with your day.

verac4016d ago

Had an old horseshoer fix my anvil stand while I was getting coffee once, felt like a real apprentice again.