Alas, both the village smithy and the spreading chestnut tree are gone. Done in by what passed for progress in its day but sounds depressingly familiar in this one. Industrial mechanization replaced a thousand smithies' "large and sinewy hands" with a single water-powered trip hammer, while blight, unwittingly imported with expanded sprouts. Along with these disappeared the Tinsmiths, Whitesmiths, Cutlers, Coopers and a dozen more metal trades of our handcrafted, preindustrial past. And along with the handworking trades went much of the attitude of sturdy, independent self-reliance that made people feel great. Well I feel that I, along with the rest of the World Wide smiths are bringing back the old ways of doing things. I belong to the "Artist-Blacksmiths' Association of North America". As you may have already read, I make a lot of my own equipment. From forges, to metal shears to reworking a old drill press made in 1915 by Sears. I do mainly custom work or repairs to things that people have purchased. I do live shows for the general public. I bring all my own equipment, from fire safety to tarps and supplies. I make on site candle holders, "BBQ forks, napkin holders, and nails. I let the general public have a crack at it as well. This is where I get the most enjoyment from the trade. Watching other people try it out. I also have a small contest. The contest consists of a speed race between a person in the stands and myself to see who can cut metal faster. I use the old way, the competitor gets a new hacksaw blade and the same steel and the use of my vise. On the word go from the public we start. I let him/her get a big head start, then I start using the forge, anvil, cutoff hardie and a hammer. To this day I have not lost. I do sell to the public through craft shows in the area or fall fairs. During some of the shows I give a brief history lesson on the trade and what they did to the naughty ones at home. It really brings out the questions then. I have been on the news from South River during the Festival of Arts. In the Martin River Camp grounds I was in the Lumber Jack days and gave a hands-on demo on making a BBQ fork. In turn a member of the public wanted to make one, so I said: "Sure come on in". In a couple of hours she walked out with her own fork. In short, I have fun doing this and make a bit of money as well.