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What do you call a person who cuts steel?

A metalsmith or simply smith is a craftsperson fashioning useful items (for example, tools, kitchenware, tableware, jewelry, armor and weapons) out of various metals. Smithing is one of the oldest metalworking occupations. Shaping metal with a hammer (forging) is the archetypical component of smithing.

en.wikipedia.org - Metalsmith - Wikipedia
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Not to be confused with Metalworker

Craftsman fashioning tools or works of art out of various metals

A bladesmith from Damascus, c. 1900

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 [ edit ]

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 [ edit ]

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.

Artisans and craftspeople [ edit ]

"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 [ edit ]

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.

See also [ edit ]

References [ edit ]

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How long does it take to become a woodworker?

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs may be learned in 1 month or less, becoming fully proficient may take several months to more than a year of on-the-job training. Woodworkers also must be able to use computer-controlled machinery.

bls.gov - Woodworkers : Occupational Outlook Handbook - Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. Most woodworkers are employed in manufacturing industries. Although their working conditions vary, woodworkers may encounter machinery noise and wood dust. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs may be learned in 1 month or less, becoming proficient typically requires several months to more than a year of on-the-job training. The ability to use computer-controlled machinery also is important.

The median annual wage for woodworkers was $36,710 in May 2021.

Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 27,200 openings for woodworkers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for woodworkers.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of woodworkers with similar occupations. Learn more about woodworkers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

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