"In a world increasingly driven by electronics, the objects that surround us are the product of highly complex robots. The individual involved in their production is a small cog, with no global vision of the production process, which may be spread over several countries. Mass-produced objects quickly become obsolete and beyond repair. When they break down, we throw them away and buy new, more efficient ones.
In contrast, the blacksmith patiently shapes his work, bending iron and steel to his will. He starts with a bar of iron and ends with a finished, functional object. He has complete control over the object from start to finish, and also makes and repairs his own tools according to the needs of his production. With very simple means: planks and a skin, he stokes the embers to temperatures that can melt or work the iron. It's reassuring to know that the iron tools essential to our daily lives can be made by our own hands. Amateur craftsmanship is part of the individual's need to reclaim control over his or her creation and production."
Learning how to repair tools and make them last is an integral part of the blacksmith's trade. Read the article.
