Charcoal and its uses
“What do you use that charcoal for?”
A question we are sometimes asked when we mention that we produce charcoal. Most people think that the only use is to put on the BBQ but those of you in the know are aware that there are many uses including filters and gunpowder production. Recently however I was able to see charcoal used for something very interesting and exciting, and maybe something which in a few years will not be such a rare sight.
For those of you who know me or have read previous issues of the flyer or newsletter you will know that I am currently studying blacksmithing (so I have something to do in my spare time). It was through this and my brother-in-law I become aware of BABA (British Artist Blacksmiths Association) and decided to join, not long after I started studying. Every year, they hold the AGM at various places and this year it was the turn of the Weald and Downland Museum at Singleton to host the three-day event between 1st and 3rd August. It is a chance for the smiths to all get together to chat, have an AGM and more importantly get down to some serious forging. This year the teams of smiths were producing Wayside Markers for the Woodiand area – they depicted the many varieties of trees, types of wildliife in the woods and associated crafts.
Also as part of the event they had various demonstrations; one was from Bogdan Popov who is from the Kyiv Folk Museum In the Ukraine and one from Hector Cole, an internationally renowned blacksmith. Hector was there to show us how they used to make arrowheads and talk about all the various sorts and their uses, including ones which where reckoned to pierce chain mail if not armour. Following the talk, Hector set about showing us his set up and how they used to work the metal to make an arrowhead. His portable forge was a replica of one that an armourer would have had when travelling with the army and yes it was made of wood. Elm in fact, as this was not reckoned to burn easily. The hearth Itself was lined with a mix of clay, sand and charcoal dust. The air was provided by a set of big bellows which were to help the fuel heat up; and this was charcoal. Once the charcoal was to temperature, Hector set about heating the metal and working it, and within 20 minutes he had produced this arrowhead; normal production time would be around six minutes.
Following on from this was the demonstration from Bogdan and this was to show wherever you are with a bit of clever work you can create something in which you can heat up metal to work it. He began by first mixing soil, grass and water to make a mix, which was to form the walls of his ‘forge’. He scraped out a hollow in the earth and then he built the two walls through which the special bellows he had were put. The bellows were two, joined together using a leather sleeve and the idea was as you push down on one the other rises and then the reverse; this produced more air at a constant flow and could be operated with one hand while attending to the metal. Once he had set up this forge, the fire was started, and, just like Hector’s, the fuel was charcoal, which with the special bellows soon got up to a good heat to allow Bogdan to start working the metal. Using some hammers he brought across from the Ukraine he managed to produce a knife. The charcoal used was made from chestnut coppiced from the surrounding woods and produced using an oil drum, a very similar method to the one we have used when doing a small burn for demonstration purposes.
It was very interesting to see such technology in operation and you could really appreciate the skill of the both Bogdan and Hector but also early metal workers. However, it was interesting and exciting to listen to what Bogdan had to say about the use of charcoal, because not only is this a more environmentally friendly alternative to coke (the common fuel used by smiths today) but it is also a sustainable product. Given the quantities we smiths use, in a few years time this might provide a good market for charcoal burners and also a new lease of life for some of the derelict woods.
I f you are visiting the Weald and Downland Museum, look out for the Wayside Markers, as having seen some of the pieces being produced I reckon they will be a brillant addition to the wood. Should you wish to see what modern day Blacksmiths get up to (the rumours about beer drinking or any other alcoholic substance are untrue) then look up
www.baba.org.uk.
By Chris Burchell-Collins
