I can not fathom how blacksmithing is LOWER on the list than reading. "The dude with the hammer looks nice, but that other one over there is sitting on a sofa for HOURS on end"
Reading demonstrates culturing, education, pursuit of knowledge, and willingness for good conversation. It’s also a hobby that can be practiced together (my wife and I have even devised a technique for how to best read books together)
Blacksmithing is one of the few hobbies that a guy probably can’t teach his girlfriend because women usually use a different technique to make up for strength differences. It’s hot for sure, but it’s hot in a “I’m going to watch you but it’s expensive in time and money, and I may wind up stuck selling at ren faires forever” way as opposed to a “even when we’re old we’ll still be discussing literature” way
I'm a woman, I can definitely learn to smith, and have done it a few times (I do reenactment, there's basically guaranteed to be a few blacksmithsin every friend group). I definitely couldn't do it for a living, but as an occasional hobby, sure.
And I haven't met a guy into smithing who didn't also like a fit partner, so hey.
Oh I’m not disagreeing that we can learn. I’d just heard we tend to use a different technique than men, but I’ve never tried and none of my friends that are into sca are smiths so I was never taught otherwise.
Smithing is a hobby I’d love to take up if I had a lot of time, money, and trust from my wife that I won’t hurt myself
I so metal working as a hobby. You’ll hurt yourself, but it’s usually burns and using the the hammers as a thumb detector. Fingernails grow back though usually. It’s the angle grinders you gotta respect.
Tell her that scars are cool and go for it!
Just wear eye and ear protection, and get a good leather apron and welding gloves.
Lol, no. First person reads one chapter than we take turns reading two and passing the book. It keeps us excited and lets us talk about it as we go without major spoilers
Blacksmithing is one of the few hobbies that a guy probably can’t teach his girlfriend because women usually use a different technique to make up for strength differences.
Me, a woman who tried blacksmithing before: Don't use spring steel or other metals that are hard to manipulate/hammer into shape when starting off. Don't start with a sword, start with bending and twisting a nail into... whatever. If they like the hobby they'll stick to it and the muscle will build over time. And if it doesn't: power tools.
Good to know, I’m a woman who’d apparently been misinformed but it is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try, but it’s not an ADHD “pick up every hobby” friendly one
but it’s not an ADHD “pick up every hobby” friendly one
That's true. I was in luck and there was a blacksmith in town who opens his workshop to kids on occasion or travels to job conventions and brought his tools with him. Maybe there are comparable activities/ offers near you, which I can highly recommend. Not only will you not have to worry about tools and materials, most importantly there will be a "teacher" around.
If you find something and decide to check it out, have fun! :)