Is There A Demand For Blacksmiths?


Anvil with coins on top.

Are you considering getting trained as a blacksmith? Well, you should. There is a demand for blacksmiths and you can play a vital role in society. If metal smithing attracts you and you relish making items out of it, blacksmithing can be profitable for you.

Blacksmithing is always in demand, however, it doesn’t mean it is in demand for you. If you want to be a blacksmith but there is no local demand for the hand-wrought metal project or too many skilled smiths are offering their service in your area, the chances of success are minimal. 

Due to the advancement in technology, of course, this skill is not as commonplace it was hundreds of years ago, but it is still required in many projects. For making modern craft, many industries still look for blacksmiths and pay them a heavy amount. Since the crafts blacksmiths can create for them today are truly special and extraordinary.

What Does A Modern Blacksmith Do?

Unlike before, blacksmithing today is reserved for artisans. It is not a village-centric professional anymore. You have to be creative to be successful in it. Therefore, it is pertinent to ponder the main duties of a modern blacksmith today to see if they align with your interest. This will also give you a pretty good idea regarding why and how this profession is still in demand.

  • Creates different tools like drills and chisels.
  • Designs and reads sketches and designs.
  • Uses small tools to measure, cut, and refine projects.
  • Works on modern furniture, weapons, and sculptures.
  • Operates new equipment and machinery.
  • Deals with different businesses and clients.

All in all, if you enjoy working with your hand, and if you are a bit creative and have some basic business and marketing skills, it can be a rewarding path.

The trend now is ‘do-it-yourself’ and ‘self-sufficiency’. If you follow these trends and educate yourself by joining local blacksmithing groups, you will enjoy high prices for your service.

The Growth Trend

Signs for the blacksmith industry and workers aren’t good.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that this industry is automating many industrial-level projects and shifting work to robots. This is not only fulfilling the immense demands but also reducing the labor cost. Professional blacksmiths who comprehend how to operate on the computerized machines can only be successful and have the best job prospects. In a way, the blacksmiths have turned into engineers; they aren’t the actual, traditional blacksmiths anymore.

Perhaps, that’s why the demand for industrial workers will drop 7 percent between 2020 and 2030. Bear in mind, these statistics and predictions are for the metal machine workers, not for the traditional blacksmiths, as they run their own small businesses.

Another disadvantage in this industry is now they don’t have time to train new hires. They opt for experienced blacksmiths and give them supervisory and management positions right away. For a novice, it is can be tough to learn from them or command high prices for his projects.

How To Be Successful

The industrial revolution and the advancement of technology aren’t in favor of beginners. It is in fact putting an end to the blacksmithing career.

Fortunately, there is always a specific and thriving market that requires the assistance of blacksmiths, and this is going to grow significantly in the future. Since, as we have mentioned before, blacksmithing is now associated with fine art. The creation of the modern or vintage craft relies on the creativity of blacksmiths; it can’t be obtained with automated machinery. If your forge is ready, you work according to the 21st century standards and fulfill the specific needs of today’s market with your creativity, you can be a millionaire in no time.

Below are a few ways to be successful and modernize your blacksmithing business.

1. Creativity

You need to have an eye for design and think outside of the box. If you can create visually appealing and functional pieces for your customers, you will open the doors of wealth for you.

You can join online communities too.

Online communities help you to create a rapport with your fellow blacksmiths. They help you in coordination and calculation skills and teach you how to get work done correctly. It becomes easier for you to alter your ideas to fit the needs of a specific project or client.

2. Modern Tools

You need to have an eye for design and think outside of the box. If you can create visually appealing and functional pieces for your customers, you will open the doors of wealth for you.

You can join online communities too.

Online communities help you to create a rapport with your fellow blacksmiths. They help you in coordination and calculation skills and teach you how to get work done correctly. It becomes easier for you to alter your ideas to fit the needs of a specific project or client.

3. Market Effectively

It is possible to create unique products and sell them for profit.

However, in this sector, some business and marketing aspect is involved. First, identify your targeted, passionate market, and create a quality product for them like horseshoe hinges, campfire cooking set, beautifully handcrafted cookstove, knives, or towel rings. 

Next, actively market your product through social media platforms. People love to pay a good deal of money if you have quality and unique products for them.

Conclusion

It is possible to create unique products and sell them for profit.

However, in this sector, some business and marketing aspect is involved. First, identify your targeted, passionate market, and create a quality product for them like horseshoe hinges, campfire cooking set, beautifully handcrafted cookstove, knives, or towel rings. 

Next, actively market your product through social media platforms. People love to pay a good deal of money if you have quality and unique products for them.

Recommended Reading;

Best Blacksmithing Projects for Beginners in 2021

How to Start Blacksmithing as a Beginner in 2021



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