Here lies a new find on our front room vinyl. An old blacksmith vice we found last week at a car boot sale. We did our usual (top tip) walk 3 times round the stalls to see if we had missed anything.
We were getting to the last of the sellers and we hadn't bought or seen much of interest that day. Then my good wife and I spotted the vice lying on the ground. The stallholder/carbooter told us some body he knew had just dropped it off and asked it to sell it for him. Then a elderly gentlemen next to me piped up:
"It's the number four. Not the number five vice."
"Oh."
Says me. None the wiser.
"Yes the number 5 was always the one most blacksmith like to use the most."
I then informed them that we wanted it for our son to use on the smallholding. "
He can make all sorts of stuff with his hands."
"Mm... But can he shoe hosses?"
I said most horse shoes are factory made these days. But he can use it to fix tractors and repair things and when he's welding.
The vice owner came back and we told him we wanted it for a good home and it would still be worked. The man was delighted and we even got twenty Euros knocked off the asking price.
Wouldn't it be great to see the blacksmiths forges open again?
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| Old blacksmiths vice. |
"It's the number four. Not the number five vice."
"Oh."
Says me. None the wiser.
"Yes the number 5 was always the one most blacksmith like to use the most."
I then informed them that we wanted it for our son to use on the smallholding. "
He can make all sorts of stuff with his hands."
"Mm... But can he shoe hosses?"
I said most horse shoes are factory made these days. But he can use it to fix tractors and repair things and when he's welding.
The vice owner came back and we told him we wanted it for a good home and it would still be worked. The man was delighted and we even got twenty Euros knocked off the asking price.
Wouldn't it be great to see the blacksmiths forges open again?
It would be lovely to see a lot of things from before be again. :O)
ReplyDeleteHi Texan. My wife and I often say we were born too late. Would love to see the Amish people with their horses and carts. Have you ever seen them?
DeleteA lovely find not that I would know what to do with it, :-)
ReplyDeleteYou would find lots of uses around your smallholding for a vice Dawn. It was a lovely find. We once found an anvil in a scrapyard hidden in grass and brambles.
DeleteLooks a good 'un. What did you pay in the end? I've bought lots of vices from car boots over the years, but mine are mainly for wood!
ReplyDeleteSixty Euros (42 Pounds) Kev. There are some for sale on Ebay today. Looks like we paid a fair price for it.
DeleteOurs used to be in the outbuildings of the pub!
ReplyDeleteHi John. Yes you do see quite a bit of farm memorabilia in traditional country pubs. At least they are preserved for future generations to talk about.
DeleteI agree with Texan, things that used to be, never thrown away, it might come in useful one day was a favourite expression. Now if it's broken it's just thrown away seldom repaired, you are lucky to have a son who is good at saving things that most people would just throw away.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne. Make do and mend was the theme during the second world war and dig for victory. I think a new type of blacksmith/mender could make a living even today. They recycle and fix everything in so called Third World countries. Thanks!
DeleteWhen I was a mere sprog, I would watch our local blacksmith for hours. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sight that must of been Cro. Think a blacksmith or a steam engine driver would have been great jobs. Think it would of been thirsty work too. I read that an agricultural labourer could drink four quarts of cider a day. Thanks!
DeleteHey Dave, we're lucky to have a forge about half a mile up the road, it's got three independent blacksmiths. Right now we can't afford their services but maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteHi Kirsty. Wonderful to read that you live near a working forge. These rural crafts should be taught to every generation. Thanks!
ReplyDelete