Artesanía Galega


		handicrafts	attic

Ferreiros / Blacksmiths

Os ferreiros fabricaban os apeiros agrícolas e toda a ferraxe necesaria para os carros e as casas. Hoxe, os que non se dedican á artesanía limítanse a arranxar as ferramentas que se mercan nas tendas. A forxa atópase polo xeral nun local terreo fóra da vivenda. O material que utilizan é o ferro que extraen os mineiros, laminado antigamente nas ferrerías, que dispoñían dun mazo movido por unha roda hidráulica.

Os ferradores veñen sendo ferreiros especializados. As ferraduras encárganllas aos ferreiros ou mércanas, aínda que non falta ferrador que as faga el mesmo. Unha pequena zafra ou bigornia e unha ferramenta sinxela sérvenlles para ferrar as cabalerías e poñer canelos ao vacún.

Blacksmithss manufactured agricultural tools and the entire iron pieces required for carts and houses. Today, those not engaged with craft just fix the tools that are bought in stores. The furnace is normally found out of the house. The material used is iron extracted by miners, laminated formerly in the smithies, using a mallet moved by a hydraulic wheel.

Horseshoemakers are specialized blacksmiths. Horseshoemakers ask blacksmiths for the horseshoe pieces or they buy them, although they can make them themselves. A small and simple anvil is used to shoe horses and cattle.

As súas ferramentas son a zafra ou ingre, martelo, tenaces, “tronzafríos” e unha chea de útiles complementarios, como limas, serras, alicates, etc.

Aínda non hai moito que os ferreiros fabricaban os apeiros agrícolas a toda a ferraxe necesaria para os carros e as casas. Hoxe os que non se dedican á artesanía limítanse a arranxar as ferramentas que se mercan na tenda.

Their tools are the harvest, hammer, pliers," tronzafríos", and a lot of useful complementary, as limes, saws, pliers, etc.

Not long ago that the blacksmiths manufactured agricultural tools, blacksmithing necessary for cars and homes. Today those not engaged in handicrafts are limited to fix the tools that are purchased at the store.

Speaking with Suso, a blacksmith from Melide:

-- Hi, Suso

-- Good afternoon.

-- I'm Marcos Pardo and I'd like to ask you some questions about your job, so I can give you publicity.

-- Of course, I'm ready to begin.

-- How long have you been doing this?

--All my life because I inherited the job.

-- Could you tell me what your job is like?

--It involves craftsmanship, everything is handmade, although in recent times machines have come into play.

-- What tools do you use?

-- Mainly a hammer, an anvil or the bellows but also sharpeners, pliers, pincers or a chisel.

-- What materials do you use?

-- Different types of iron depending on the level or consistency. I also use coal.

-- Could you describe how you use a certain tool?

-- Okay, before, in order to weld, you had to put the iron into the fire and beat it just before it melted. For cutting-tools, in order to harden them, you would heat them and then dip them into water with perfect timing.

-- What objects do you make?

-- Mainly farming tools like sickles or scythes…but also knives, lamps, hinges and other objects.

-- How are sales? Have you suffered the rising of prices?

-- Sales are not too bad, although it depends on the time of year. Before people would say that when it rained the blacksmith always had customers, and when people got paid they'd stop by. Now people have their own means of transport so it's easier for them to come. Speaking about prices, I must say I have noticed the rise, specially in the price of iron.

-- Have you noticed any changes in the last thirty years?

-- Yes, many. In prices, tools and even keeping the workshop. Now a lot less farming tools are sold.

-- Why did you decide to take up this trade?