Warning: The 'historic' forge at the Pioneer Days festival in Springfield is a real hazard

I went there last weekend to check it out, and the guy running it was using a piece of rebar to stir the coal fire. He had no face shield on, just some old sunglasses, and the whole setup was on a wooden table that was starting to char. I watched for about ten minutes and saw a few hot sparks fly right past his arm. Has anyone else seen something like this at a public demo? What's the best way to point out safety stuff without starting a fight?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomas.tyler1mo ago

You're making a big deal out of nothing. That's just how blacksmithing works, it's a dirty trade with some risk. The guy probably knows what he's doing, he's done it a hundred times. A wooden table getting a little charred shows it's real, not some safe plastic show for kids. Do you want every fun demo wrapped in bubble wrap? Sometimes a little danger is what makes it interesting to watch.

martin.paige1mo ago

Oh sure, a little danger is fun until someone's historic barn demo becomes an actual fire demo. Guess we should just let the fire marshal relax and enjoy the show too. Nothing says "authentic craft" like ignoring every basic safety rule ever written. Next time maybe he can juggle live grenades to really spice things up.

kim1911mo ago

That's just asking for trouble. Basic safety gear isn't bubble wrap, it's common sense. A real craft respects the danger.