I have had the great experience of learning some blacksmithing techniques from Brad Silberberg, who is a master professional structural artisan blacksmith and f

I have had the great experience of learning some blacksmithing techniques from Brad Silberberg, who is a master professional structural artisan blacksmith and former president of the Blacksmiths Guild of the Potomac. He also has some pieces on permanent display at the Smithsonian. He uses the making of nails as a form of physical meditation in motion where he gets to turn off his brain and just use his arms. When he's on a roll, he's making three nails in a single heat. Which is apparently about the speed that a good Nailer did back in the day. If you want to learn more about blacksmithing, I would point you at the Artisan Blacksmith Association of North America at ABANA.org.