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Talked to a guy at the flea market who still forges with a hand crank blower
He was selling some old tongs and we got chatting. He said he's never used an electric blower in his 40 years of smithing, that the rhythm of the hand crank is part of the work. It made me realize how much I rely on my switch and how quiet my shop is now. Anyone else still use a hand crank or remember switching?
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colemiller2mo ago
Forty years with a hand crank is a huge deal, it's the whole feel of the work. My uncle used one and the sound and pace is totally different from an electric blower. It's not just about moving air, it's about being connected to the fire's rhythm. Switching to electric makes things easier but you lose that direct link. It's like the difference between a manual and automatic car, both work but the experience changes completely.
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abbyl491mo ago
Oh man, you hit it right on the head @colemiller... it's funny how people think making things easier is always better. I've been noticing this everywhere lately. Like how everyone wants the fastest way to cook dinner or the quickest way to get somewhere, but they end up missing the whole point of the experience. Same thing with those air fryers taking over - sure they're fast but you don't get that same connection to the food like you do with a real oven. There's something about the slower way that just feels more real, you know?
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