Was a Smith Always a Blacksmith?

There are many different kinds of smiths. A blacksmith is perhaps the most well-known. Others include: goldsmiths, silversmiths, coppersmiths, tinsmiths, whitesmiths, locksmiths, coinsmiths, weaponsmiths, bladesmiths and gunsmiths. This article will briefly consider each of the above.

While not every smith is a blacksmith, all smiths have one thing in common: they work with metal. The word “smith” seems to have originated from the Old English “smītan,” meaning “to strike hammer.”

Blacksmiths
Especially prior to the 20th century, blacksmiths forged a variety of products from iron and steel. Examples included tools, utensils, weapons, sculptures and jewelry. They often forged their own tools too. When needed, they could also serve as farriers, or horse-shoers. They typically worked with a hammer and anvil.

Gold, Silver, Copper and Tin
Goldsmiths worked with gold, and produced valuables such as jewelry. Silversmiths did the same with silver, but usually forged a larger variety of goods, including kettles, bowls and utensils.

Coppersmiths, also known as brownsmiths or redsmiths, worked with copper. Their goods included cookware, kettles, vases, sculptures, jewelry and many other items. As copper is soft and can be molded without heating, generally a coppersmith didn’t need as many tools as a blacksmith.

Tinsmiths forged items from tin and other light metals. So like coppersmiths, they were able to smith their metal at room temperature. Common techniques included: engraving, cutting, riveting, soldering and shaping in general.

A whitesmith specialised in the finishing touches for blacksmithery and tinsmithery. Tasks include filing, lathing and polishing.

Locks, Coins and Hunting
A locksmith forged locks and keys. They could also replace lost keys.

A coinsmith produced coins, especially those made from gold and silver.

A weaponsmith specialised in swords, knives, spears, axes and flails.

A bladesmith forged blades, such as swords and knives. Those who specialised in swords were known as swordsmiths. A bladesmith needed to understand woodworking and leatherworking in order to craft handles and sheaths. In addition to forging weapons, bladesmiths also made peaceful products such as kitchen knives.

A gunsmith made and repaired guns.

As you can see, many types of smith overlapped. For example, a bladesmith might also qualify as a weaponsmith. But the variety in the trade is almost endless. So not every smith is a blacksmith!

Bibliography:

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Leah (2021). Types of Smiths Throughout History [Updated]. [online] Working the Flame. Available at: https://workingtheflame.com/types-of-smiths/

http://www.ancestry.com.au. (n.d.). Smith Name Meaning & Smith Family History at Ancestry.com.au®. [online] Available at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/name-origin?surname=smith 

Creative Metal Design. (n.d.). Blacksmith History. [online] Available at: https://www.creativemetalmd.com/blacksmith

Anon, (2020). What Do Blacksmiths Make Today? – ToolsOwner. [online] Available at: https://toolsowner.com/things-blacksmiths-make.