The blacksmith is one of the most respected craftsmen in an Amish community. Without him — no horseshoes, no hinges, no tools.
Equipment
Forge: brick or steel, coal or coke. Temperature 1000-1200°C. Anvil: 50-150 kg, cast iron or steel. Hammer: from 500 g (fine work) to 5 kg (forging). Tongs, chisels, flatters, swages.
Core Techniques
Forging: heat to red/white, strike on anvil. Quenching: red-hot into water or oil. Steel becomes hard. Tempering: slightly reheat quenched piece — removes brittleness. Welding: heat two pieces to white, strike together — they bond.
What a Smith Makes
Horseshoes (main order). Door and gate hinges. Knives. Tools (chisels, punches, screwdrivers). Farm equipment repair. Decorative elements (hooks, rings, grates).
Income
Shoeing: $25-50 per horse × 100+ horses in community × 6 times/year = $15,000-30,000 on shoes alone. Plus custom orders. A smith earns $40,000-80,000/year.