Medieval Blacksmithing

I am fascinated by medieval blacksmithing.

My interest began while watching the History Channel. I noticed an emergence of a new show, “Forged in Fire,” and I watched a couple of episodes. I was awe-struck by each blacksmith’s mastery and how they intertwined the aggressiveness of bladesmithing with the serenity of artistic design. Around the same time, I was offered an opportunity to participate in a metalworking class, and I jumped on it. I not only learned how to conduct a cold-quench and move the metal ingot with my hammer to form a beautiful work of art, but I also felt myself becoming aware that I have the ability to create.

It wasn’t until later that I realized blacksmithing has helped me develop a range of qualities.

Blacksmithing has shown the value of turning an idea into a concrete item. Inspired by my love of trail building in the Sierra Nevada’s, I designed an oak leaf bottle opener and forged my vision, and appreciated seeing my work come into fruition. But this isn’t the only item I’ve built. I’ve enjoyed designing toys, such as a miniature catapult, and working on my car, installing a cold air intake to increase its efficiency. I’m most proud of the compost bin I created for my local elementary school, for which I designed schematics and raised over $1,000 for materials. Knowing I can create something from just a thought has taught me that I can make a lasting impact in my community.

Blacksmithing has also been a great outlet for my creativity. I once built a cross out of high-carbon steel, but I was unsatisfied with its bland appearance, so I cut a diamond shaped hole in the center to accentuate its curvature. I demonstrate this inventiveness in other areas of my life as well. In AP Physics, I developed an experiment to determine the validity of certain air-resistance equations using nothing more than stacked coffee filters. After each measurement, I’d change my lab’s processes to create a more time-efficient experiment. Constantly revising my work helps me cultivate a forward-thinking mindset, one that focuses on the process rather than the end result.

Blacksmithing has also given me the chance to exercise some of my greatest gifts, such as flexibility. In 10th grade, my wrestling coach moved to Ohio, leaving only three wrestlers on the team. As a result of our team’s size, we were unable to practice at our own school. Each day we’d travel hours out of our way to attend strenuous practices. I became more efficient with my studying to accommodate for the time lost. But this adaptability has served me well in blacksmithing too. While working on my fire stirrer, I was initially adamant about using all my strength on each hit to move the steel, and as a result, I hammered its handle too thin. Undaunted by the fear of failure, I reworked my approach and tried again, eventually creating an impressive work of art.

Finally, blacksmithing has been a form of stress-relief. While I’m striking a piece of metal, I am enthralled by the cling, clang of the metal, the coarse smell of the coal forge, and the glowing sparks fleeing the anvil. Its chaos has a soothing effect on my senses. And this isn’t the only way I decompress. I also love hiking in Whiting Ranch, observing the beauty of the chaparral and native vegetation. In each of my outdoor activities, I am able to find peace.

I will continue to be an innovator. I love the accomplishment of seeing something I designed for weeks become a tangible object. I have an active interest in the technology behind the analysis of pulsars, and hope to design the first commercial telescope that can give amateur astronomers an opportunity to effectively scrutinize them.