Article & Photos by Autumn Schanil
Old World Craftsmanship A Blacksmith and the Clockmaker
As technology grew and the digital evolution created a whole new host of jobs, many old-world, traditional trades seemed to be needed less and less, leaving many hands-on workers behind. Fortunately, there are still people to be found who are still passing on timeless skills, and as society is beginning to again desire locally sourced produce and items that are handmade, many seemingly lost trades are making a comeback. People are resurrecting lost arts.
A
t the age of 21, Jon Hadden of Livingston Manor became interested in blacksmithing after watching a Ferrier’s competition online, becoming intrigued at how quickly and seamlessly they were making a pair of tongs. “They were moving really fast,” said Hadden. “I had seen blacksmiths before but, that video just amazed me. After watching it I thought, even if I’m not that good I want to try it. It took me some time to get started but with the help of my father, we put together a forge and I found an anvil.” According to Hadden, at that time an anvil was about two to three dollars a pound, now anvils average about five to six dollars a pound. Pulling into the drive of his home in Livingston Manor, smoke billows out of the chimney from his small work‑ shop in the backyard where to the side of the door are
shelves lined with scrap steel, metal, and various old tool parts. Hadden’s father worked at Liberty Ironworks for 28 years he said, so there were always plenty of scraps of steel around. Inside, the workshop is warm from the heat of the fire. Tools line the walls and the front table that you’ve prob‑ ably never seen before and right in the center, his anvil. The floor is cool earth and the air smells like hot metal. As Hadden increases the height and heat of the flame, placing a small straight piece of steel inside the coals, a strange tickling comes to your throat making you cough. “It’s something you have to get used to,” laughed Hadden, “I guess I don’t notice that change in the air so much anymore.” Hadden now, has been blacksmithing for years and is
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