I will soon begin demonstrating to the public again this season. When I am in a setting where there are lots of people, I usually demonstrate relatively simple items, since the attention spam of people trying to soak up "the way it was" is generally pretty short.
As I may have said before on this newsgroup, I often demonstrate the same series of items over an over, because I think they form a sort of "basics of blacksmithing", each project building on the last.
Here's a series I have done often:
-3 nails. Tell them they are seeing drawing out, shouldering and upsetting.
-an S hook with twist. Tell them they are seeing bending and twisting.
-A strike-a-light (flint and steel) I make a big deal out of the heat treating. Then I demonstrate making charcloth and finally make a fire. Tell them they have just learned the basics of heat treating.
-3 links of chain. Or add a set of 3 links to a growing chain I carry around. Tell them that they are seeing forge welding.
-A candle holder. It is decorated (by fullering three lines). Tell them they are seeing chasing and forge brazing.
-A tiny pair of tongs out of 1/4" sq. I can do each half in one heat. Tell them that this is an example of a blacksmith making their own tools. Remember, I am not demonstrating to other blacksmiths.
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Okay, for all that, but I'd like to change some things.
What do you folks do?
Pete Stanaitis