nailsmith

Forges metal spikes

A nailsmith is a craftsman who makes nails by hand, historically forging them from iron or steel.

Before industrial manufacturing, nailsmiths were essential tradespeople—nails were expensive enough that abandoned buildings were sometimes burned to recover them.

The trade is now largely obsolete except among historical reenactors and specialty blacksmiths.

tools

anvil

Metal-shaping block

hammerTool for striking nails
tongsHinged grasping utensil
forgeFurnace for shaping metal

bellows · grindstone · vise · file · chisel · punch · drift · hardy · swage · fuller

materials

iron

Element twenty-six

steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
wrought ironSoft, workable decorative metal
charcoalBurned wood residue

coal · coke · rod · wire · flux · scale · slag

craft

forging

Shaping heated metal; faking documents

hammeringStriking repeatedly with force
shapingGiving something its form
pointingDirecting attention somewhere

heading · tapering · tempering · quenching · metalworking · handcrafted · artisanal · craftsmanship · blacksmithing · ironwork

process

heating

Raising temperature artificially

drawing outExtracting or prolonging
upsettingCausing emotional turmoil
pointingDirecting attention somewhere

heading · cutting · finishing · annealing · hardening · spark · flame · hot work

products

tacks

Short sharp-headed nails

spikesSharp metal protrusions
bradsSmall thin nails
rivetsPermanent metal fasteners

pins · fasteners

Opposites

craft specialization

nailsmithblacksmith

Iron-shaping craftsperson

stonemason · jack-of-all-trades · woodworker · carpenter · glassblower

production method

nailsmithmachine operator

One who runs equipment

assembly line worker

creation vs. use

nailsmithcarpenter

Timber construction tradesperson

builder · roofer · construction worker

Family

nail, smith, nails, nailed, nailing, smithy, smiths, blacksmith, goldsmith

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G