The years we have been making swords and weapons have taught us much in how to survive in the shop. This may seem simple but once you get furnaces lite, large hammers moving and swift belt grinders flying along, things can get tricky, especially when you are trying to keep your fingers on your hand.
Simple things like how to carry a whole bunch of Nordland Axes around the shop!
Javelin Safety - never reach over a bundle of javelins or carry horizontal with tips forward.
Also don't trip when moving the whole box
We also recommend never throwing them when someone is down range, sharp points can hurt!
Don't try to catch falling swords! -
Another good rule! One would think this is obvious and should be second nature to smiths. Folks that are not around a lot of sharp things can react instinctively and that is dangerous. A couple of us have tried to grab a falling piece and paid in blood.
So if you have a lot of pieces on the wall or leaned up in a corner and there are sharps involved its good to train yourself to let them go if they fall.
Fire is hot, hot goes on the floor -
An old blacksmith rule, if its hot, leave it on the floor. Never lay it on a work surface or table. if you walk away someone is almost guaranteed to come by and try to pick it up. This is also why smiths will usually pick something up by moving their open hand towards it so they feel if its to hot to touch. Its also why they will pick up something you think is to hot, as "hot" means something different to them than the average person.
But its good to remember fire is a tool and fun, though our moms disagree on that point.
and marshmallows!
Fire likes to spread-
This is important to remember. Especially were dust collects and with sparks being made it is something to be wary of.
One should not stand in the way of the sparks is a useful point.
Though some of us are more aware than others.
Dust and clothing burn easily. So its good to watch out for both. Smoldering burns can last for hours/days and if its smokey something is burning.
But we are prepared
Friction produces heat -
Another simple fact but one you can miss if you are not paying attention. Even a bit of polishing can burn your fingers. Even more so for sanding and hammering can cause a piece to heat quickly. Easily enough to burn your non calloused skin. Some of these burns can even be first degree if it is hot enough, no flame involved but you still get blisters.
Beer and blades -
Right at the top of the safety third list is the fact that drinking and swords can lead to several issues, from purchasing to many, to lopping off important bits of furniture and yourself. So kids make sure that if you are drinking and swords are near by that you are supervised and do not have immediate access to any funds your significant other will notice missing.
Bandaids -
Which work best? Heavy duty fabric Johnson and Johnson.
They hold well and if you wrap them with tape it can last a day or two even while working.
If you have a larger cut or non-work area of epidermis the new skin works well to.
Xacto blades are sharp -
Another obvious but important point, also always cut away from yourself.
Wire Brush wear googles -
No wires in the eyes though in your skin is acceptable.
There is always time to keep your hair looking good.
Don't take crap from intimate objects - thats what hammers are for!
We hope sharing these useful tips makes your next day in the shop a little better.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985