Blacksmith is a person who makes and repairs iron objects by hammering them by hand on an anvil. First, the iron is heated to a red glow in a forge, which is kept hot by hand-operated bellows (see Bellows ). Then, the blacksmith, sometimes simply called a smith, can shape and weld such objects as hinges, latches, andirons, and farm and household tools and utensils. Smiths who make horseshoes to protect the feet of horses are called farriers. This term comes from a Latin word meaning of iron. In the past, horseshoes were perhaps the most important articles smiths made. Mass-production methods have almost eliminated the need for blacksmiths today.
See also Forging (Hand forging) .
