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A metalsmith or simply smith is a craftsperson fashioning useful items (for example, tools, kitchenware, tableware, jewelry, armor and weapons) out of various metals.^[1] Smithing is one of the oldest metalworking occupations. Shaping metal with a hammer (forging) is the archetypical component of smithing. Often the hammering is done while the metal is hot, having been heated in a forge. Smithing can also involve the other aspects of metalworking, such as refining metals from their ores (traditionally done by smelting), casting it into shapes (founding), and filing to shape and size.

The prevalence of metalworking in the culture of recent centuries has led Smith and its equivalents in various languages to be a common occupational surname (German Schmidt or Schmied, Portuguese Ferreiro, Ferreira, French Lefèvre, Spanish Herrero, Italian Fabbri, Ferrari, Ferrero, Ukrainian Koval etc.). As a suffix, -smith connotes a meaning of a specialized craftsperson—for example, wordsmith and tunesmith are nouns synonymous with writer or songwriter, respectively.

History

In pre-industrialized times, smiths held high or special social standing since they supplied the metal tools needed for farming (especially the plough) and warfare.^{[citation needed]} More details on the history can be found in the article blacksmith.

Types of smiths

A metalsmith is one who works with or has the knowledge and the capacity of working with "all" metals.

Types of smiths include:^[2]

A blacksmith works with iron and steel (this is what is usually meant when referring just to "smith"). A farrier is a type of blacksmith who specializes in making and fitting horseshoes.
A bladesmith forges knives, swords, and other blades.
A brownsmith works with brass and copper.^[3]^{[citation needed]}
A coinsmith works strictly with coins and currency.
A coppersmith works with copper.
A goldsmith works with gold.
A gunsmith builds and repairs firearms.
An armourer working in an armoury maintaining and repairing small weapons traditionally had some duties of a gunsmith.
A locksmith works with locks.
A silversmith, or brightsmith, works with silver.^[4]
A swordsmith is a bladesmith who forges only swords.
An arrowsmith is a blacksmith who specialises in forging arrowheads.
A tinsmith, tinner, or tinker works with light metal (such as tinware) and can refer to someone who deals in tinware.
A weaponsmith is a generalized bladesmith who forges weapons like axes, spears, flails, and other weapons.
A whitesmith works with white metal (tin and pewter) and can refer to someone who polishes or finishes the metal rather than forging it.
A Tinker archaic term for an itinerant tinsmith.

Artisans and craftspeople

Coppersmith Abdón Punzo in his workshop in Santa Clara del Cobre, Mexico

"Aeolus's Weathervane" – detail of a weather vane created by using a variety of metalsmithing techniques

The ancient traditional tool of the smith is a forge or smithy, which is a furnace designed to allow compressed air (through a bellows) to superheat the inside, allowing for efficient melting, soldering and annealing of metals. Today, this tool is still widely used by blacksmiths as it was traditionally.

The term, metalsmith, often refers to artisans and craftpersons who practice their craft in many different metals, including gold, copper and silver. Jewelers often refer to their craft as metalsmithing, and many universities offer degree programs in metalsmithing, jewelry, enameling and blacksmithing under the auspices of their fine arts programs.^[5]

Machinists

Machinists are metalsmiths who produce high-precision parts and tools.^[6] The most advanced of these tools, CNC machines, are computer controlled and largely automated.

References

^ "Definition of METALSMITH". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
^ John Fuller Sr., Art of Coppersmithing, Astragal Press, 1993 (reprint of original edition, 1894) ISBN 1879335379^{[page needed]}
^ "A Survey of English Bynames: Brownsmith". medievalscotland.org. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
^ Rupert Finegold and William Seitz, Silversmithing, Krause Publications, 1983, ISBN 0-8019-7232-9
^ Tim McCreight, Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing, Hand Books Press, 1997, ISBN 1-880140-29-2
^ "Definition of MACHINISTS". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.

External links

The dictionary definition of smith at Wiktionary
Media related to Smiths at Wikimedia Commons

[1] "Definition of METALSMITH". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.

[2] John Fuller Sr., Art of Coppersmithing, Astragal Press, 1993 (reprint of original edition, 1894) ISBN 1879335379^{[page needed]}

[3] "A Survey of English Bynames: Brownsmith". medievalscotland.org. Retrieved 3 April 2018.

[4] Rupert Finegold and William Seitz, Silversmithing, Krause Publications, 1983, ISBN 0-8019-7232-9

[5] Tim McCreight, Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing, Hand Books Press, 1997, ISBN 1-880140-29-2

[6] "Definition of MACHINISTS". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 3 April 2018.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Craftsman fashioning tools or works of art out of various metals}}
-[[Image:A blacksmith at work from the early 1900 tweaked.jpg|thumb|A working blacksmith in 1970]]
+{{distinguish|Metalworker}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
+[[File:Damascus bladesmith.jpg|thumb|A bladesmith from Damascus, {{c.|1900}}]]
+A '''metalsmith''' or simply '''smith''' is a [[craft]]sperson fashioning useful items (for example, tools, [[kitchenware]], [[tableware]], [[jewelry]], armor and [[weapons]]) out of various [[metal]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metalsmith|title=Definition of METALSMITH|website=www.merriam-webster.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> '''Smithing''' is one of the oldest [[list of metalworking occupations|metalworking occupations]]. Shaping metal with a [[hammer]] ([[forging]]) is the archetypical component of smithing. Often the hammering is done while the metal is hot, having been [[heat]]ed in a [[forge]]. Smithing can also involve the other aspects of [[metalworking]], such as refining metals from their ores (traditionally done by [[smelting]]), [[casting]] it into shapes ([[foundry|founding]]), and [[file (tool)|filing]] to shape and size.
+The prevalence of metalworking in the culture of recent centuries has led ''[[Smith (surname)|Smith]]'' and its equivalents in various languages to be a common [[surname#Occupational name|occupational surname]] (German [[Schmidt (surname)|Schmidt]] or [[Schmied]], Portuguese [[Ferreiro]], [[Ferreira (surname)|Ferreira]], French [[Lefèvre]], Spanish [[Herrero]], Italian [[Fabbri (surname)|Fabbri]], [[Ferrari (surname)|Ferrari]], [[Ferrero (surname)|Ferrero]], Ukrainian [[Koval (surname)|Koval]] etc.). As a [[suffix]], ''-smith'' [[connotation|connotes]] a meaning of a specialized craftsperson—for example, ''wordsmith'' and ''tunesmith'' are nouns synonymous with writer or songwriter, respectively.
-A '''metalsmith''', often shortened to '''smith''', is a person involved in making [[metal]] objects. In contemporary use a metalsmith is a person who uses metal as a material, uses traditional metalsmithing techniques (though not necessarily the material), whose work thematically relates to the practice or history of the practice, or who engages in any number metal related activities.
-==Etymology==
-The word ''smith'' is [[cognate]] with the somewhat archaic [[English language|English]] word, "smite", meaning "to hit" or "to strike". Originally, ''smiths'' practiced their [[crafts]] by forming [[metal]] with hammer blows. However, the old etymological guess of "smite" as the source of "smith" is without foundation.  "smith" derives from an old [[Teuton]]ic word, ''smeithan'', to forge. The root is seen in the Greek word {{GreekFont|σμίλη}}, a [[burin]].<ref >{{Cite EB1911|Smith}}</ref>
-As an [[English language|English]] [[suffix]], ''-smith'' connotes a meaning of specialized craftsmen &mdash; for example, ''wordsmith'' and ''tunesmith'' are nouns synonymous with [[writer]] or [[songwriter]], respectively.
 ==History==
+{{expand section|date=March 2022}}
-In [[Pre-Industrial Era|pre-industrialized]] times, smiths held high or special social standing since they supplied the metal [[tool]]s needed for [[farming]] (especially the [[plough]]) and [[warfare]]. This was especially true in some [[West Africa]]n cultures.
+{{Further|Metallurgy#History}}
+In [[Pre-Industrial Era|pre-industrialized]] times, smiths held high or special social standing since they supplied the metal tools needed for farming (especially the [[plough]]) and [[warfare]].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
+More details on the history can be found in the article [[blacksmith]].
-==Types==
+==Types of smiths==
+A metalsmith is one who works with or has the knowledge and the capacity of working with "all" metals.
-[[Image:Wessel smedbager02.jpg|thumb|Illustration by [[Theodor Kittelsen]] for [[Johan Herman Wessel]]'s ''The Smith and the Baker'']]
+[[File:Wessel smedbager02.jpg|thumb|Illustration by [[Theodor Kittelsen]] for [[Johan Herman Wessel]]'s ''The Smith and the Baker'']]
-Types of smiths include:<ref >John Fuller, Sr., Art of Coppersmithing, Astragal Press, 1993 (reprint of original edition, 1894) ISBN 1879335379</ref>
+Types of smiths include:<ref>John Fuller Sr., ''Art of Coppersmithing'', Astragal Press, 1993 (reprint of original edition, 1894) {{ISBN|1879335379}}{{Page needed|date=February 2011}}</ref>
-* a [[blacksmith]] works with [[iron]] and [[steel]]; (this is what is usually meant when referring just to "Smith")
+* A [[blacksmith]] works with iron and steel (this is what is usually meant when referring just to "smith"). A [[farrier]] is a type of blacksmith who specializes in making and fitting [[horseshoe]]s.
+* A [[bladesmith]] forges [[knives]], swords, and other [[blade]]s.
+* A [[brownsmith]] works with [[brass]] and [[copper]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://medievalscotland.org/kmo/EnglishBynames/Brownsmith.shtml|title=A Survey of English Bynames: Brownsmith|website=medievalscotland.org|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>{{citation needed|reason=Not in common use anywhere I can find. Find a more citeable source|date=March 2018}}
+* A [[coinsmith]] works strictly with [[coins]] and currency.
+* A [[coppersmith]] works with copper.
+* A [[goldsmith]] works with gold.
+* A [[gunsmith]] builds and repairs [[firearm]]s.
+* An [[armourer]] working in an [[armoury]] maintaining and repairing small weapons traditionally had some duties of a gunsmith.
+* A [[locksmithing|locksmith]] works with [[Lock (security device)|locks]].
+* A [[silversmith]], or brightsmith, works with silver.<ref>Rupert Finegold and William Seitz, ''Silversmithing'', Krause Publications, 1983, {{ISBN|0-8019-7232-9}}</ref>
+* A [[bladesmith|swordsmith]] is a bladesmith who forges only [[sword]]s.
+* An arrowsmith is a blacksmith who specialises in forging [[arrowhead]]s.
+* A [[tinsmith]], tinner, or tinker works with light metal (such as tinware) and can refer to someone who deals in tinware.
+* A [[weaponsmith]] is a generalized bladesmith who forges weapons like [[axe]]s, [[spear]]s, [[Flail (weapon)|flails]], and other weapons.
+* A [[whitesmith]] works with white metal ([[tin]] and [[pewter]]) and can refer to someone who polishes or finishes the metal rather than forging it.
+* A [[Tinker]] archaic term for an itinerant tinsmith.
+==Artisans and craftspeople==
-* an [[arrowsmith]] forges [[arrow|arrow heads]];
+[[File:PunzoWorkshop76.JPG|thumb|Coppersmith Abdón Punzo in his workshop in [[Santa Clara del Cobre]], [[Mexico]]]]
+[[File:Lafter3.jpg|thumb|"Aeolus's Weathervane" – detail of a [[weather vane]] created by using a variety of metalsmithing techniques]]
+The ancient traditional tool of the smith is a [[forge]] or ''smithy'', which is a [[Metallurgical furnace|furnace]] designed to allow compressed air (through a [[bellows]]) to superheat the inside, allowing for efficient melting, [[soldering]] and [[Annealing (metallurgy)|annealing]] of metals. Today, this tool is still widely used by blacksmiths as it was traditionally.
+The term, ''metalsmith'', often refers to artisans and craftpersons who practice their craft in many different metals, including gold, copper and silver. [[Jeweler]]s often refer to their craft as ''metalsmithing'', and many universities offer degree programs in metalsmithing, jewelry, enameling and blacksmithing under the auspices of their fine arts programs.<ref>Tim McCreight, ''Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing'', Hand Books Press, 1997, {{ISBN|1-880140-29-2}}</ref>
-* a [[bladesmith]] forges [[knives]], swords, and other [[blades]];
+==Machinists==
-* a [[coppersmith]], or brownsmith, works with [[copper]];
+[[Machinist]]s are metalsmiths who produce high-precision parts and tools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machinists|title=Definition of MACHINISTS|website=www.merriam-webster.com|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The most advanced of these tools, [[CNC]] machines, are computer controlled and largely automated.
+==See also==
-* a [[fendersmith]] makes and repairs the metal fender before fireplaces, protecting rugs and furniture in mansions and fine estates, and frequently cares for the fires as well;
+* [[Ferrous metallurgy]]
+* [[Smithing gods]]
-* a [[goldsmith]] works with [[gold]];
+* [[Metallurgy]]
-* a [[gunsmith]] works with [[gun]]s;
-* a [[locksmith]] works with [[Lock (device)|locks]];
-* a [[pewtersmith]] works with [[pewter]];
-* a [[silversmith]], or brightsmith, works with [[silver]]; <ref>Silversmithing, Rupert Finegold and William Seitz, Krause Publications, 1983, ISBN 0801972329</ref>
-* a [[tinsmith]], tinner, or tinker works with light [[metal]] (such as tinware) and can refer to someone who deals in tinware;
-* a [[swordsmith]] is a bladesmith who forges only [[sword]]s;
-* a [[whitesmith]] works with white metal ([[tin]]) and can refer to someone who polishes or finishes the metal rather than forging it.
-* a [[coinsmith]] works strictly with [[coins]] and currency
-== Artisans and craftpeople ==
-The ancient traditional tool of the smith is a [[forge]] or ''smithy'', which is a [[furnace]] designed to allow compressed air (through a [[bellows]]) to superheat the inside, allowing for efficient melting, [[soldering]] and [[annealing]] of metals. Today, this tool is still widely used by [[blacksmith]]s as it was traditionally.
-The term, ''metalsmith'', often refers to artisans and craftpersons who practice their craft in many different metals, including [[gold]], [[copper]] and [[silver]]. [[Jeweler]]s often refer to their craft as ''metalsmithing'', and many universities offer degree programs in metalsmithing, jewelry, enameling and blacksmithing under the auspices of their fine arts programs. <ref>Tim McCreight, Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing, Hand Books Press, 1997, ISBN 1880140292</ref>
-== Machinists ==
-[[Machinist]]s are metalsmiths who produce high-precision parts and tools. The most advanced of these tools, [[CNC]] machines, are computer controlled and largely automated.
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{reflist|colwidth=35em}}
-== External links ==
+==External links==
+{{EB1911 poster|Smith|Metalsmith}}
-{{Wiktionary|smith}}
+*{{Wiktionary-inline|smith}}
-{{Wikisource1911Enc|Smith|Metalsmith}}
+*{{commons category-inline|Smiths}}
-* [http://www.thedevilsworkshop.ca/howitsmade Video of a ring being forged by a metalsmith]
 {{Metalworking navbox|smithopen}}
+{{Authority control}}
-[[Category:Metalsmiths| ]]
+[[Category:Metalsmiths]]
+[[Category:Arts occupations]]
-[[az:Dəmirçilik]]
-[[de:Schmied]]
-[[es:Herrero]]
-[[fr:Forgeron]]
-[[ja:鍛冶]]
-[[lt:Kalvystė]]
-[[pl:Kowalstwo]]
-[[pt:Ferreiro]]
-[[fi:Taonta]]