My Shop Is My Holy Place
The magic of forging a knife.
When forging a knife intent for what it is to be used for comes into play. This is what makes the forged blade special. The bladesmith is like the witch casting spells through the universe.
We infuse our will through the intended use of the tool we are creating. The ritual of preparing this steel. Cleaning and purifying the shop put us into the frame of mind which allows our intentions to be transferred to the knife.
The flames of the forge help to manipulate and rearrange the molecules in the steel. This subtle influence could be the reason some people like using forged blades.
Learning how and why things should be done is the secret. There are reasons the blade must be normalized. That time of rest that lets the steel become less stressed. A time if ignored can lead to failure. Many steps go into the forging.
Not only are forged blades made with intent they are blessed with the intent of the blade-smith. From the first hammer strike to the finished blade these intentions might be felt by the user. Through the power of the universe, they are brought into being.
These subtle influences enhance functionality while using the blade. They can influence the actions of others while using it. They can provoke fear when used with the intent of harming. Confidence when used for defense. They can influence the end result when reliability is realized.
This could be total BS or FACT by those that believe. I believe it to be fact but then again I am the one that will benefit.
My anvil is my altar.
My hammer is my wand.
My shop is my holy place. Sometimes messy and cluttered. Sometimes clean. Always a place that gets me into the frame of mind that I can focus my intent. If that intent influences me, that is what I hoped for. Will it make me a better bladesmith? I think so.
I’m going out to clean and purify my shop. Prepare it for the next creation. Get ready to focus on the next knife I will create.
It might be one for you!
Thanks for reading. You could have spent your time elsewhere but you choose to be here.
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I’m Larry Nowicki the KISS Specialist. What do you want me to kiss for you today?
Keep It Silly Simple.