Yea, I would wonder why hobby engineering isn’t on the list, or something like ‘maker’ I think 3d printing as a stand alone is more of a support, it would be like, instead of woodworking, the hobby is ‘sawing’ it’s part of it, but engineering is what the hobby is actually.
Because a blacksmith, woodworker or a metalworker are all makers. Ultimately what matters is it is a highly skilled thing that triggers imagination and creates something out of “nothing”. Differentiating between those as hobbies is a matter of how often the hobby is chosen / represented online. There are more woodworkers than metalworkers. Less blacksmiths, so you think of “blacksmith” less when asked what’s “hot”.
I only know one guy who is into blacksmithing and - being a nerd myself, I say this with kindness - but this dude is a super nerd. He’s also one of the scrawniest dudes I know. I’ve heard him tell women that he’s into blacksmithing before and it definitely does not have the desired effect that this chart would imply.
You always have to consider Rule #1 when taking these things into account.
I can not fathom how blacksmithing is LOWER on the list than reading. “The dude with the hammer looks nice, but that other one over there is sitting on a sofa for HOURS on end”
Reading demonstrates culturing, education, pursuit of knowledge, and willingness for good conversation. It’s also a hobby that can be practiced together (my wife and I have even devised a technique for how to best read books together)
Blacksmithing is one of the few hobbies that a guy probably can’t teach his girlfriend because women usually use a different technique to make up for strength differences. It’s hot for sure, but it’s hot in a “I’m going to watch you but it’s expensive in time and money, and I may wind up stuck selling at ren faires forever” way as opposed to a “even when we’re old we’ll still be discussing literature” way
Blacksmithing is one of the few hobbies that a guy probably can’t teach his girlfriend because women usually use a different technique to make up for strength differences.
Me, a woman who tried blacksmithing before: Don’t use spring steel or other metals that are hard to manipulate/hammer into shape when starting off. Don’t start with a sword, start with bending and twisting a nail into… whatever. If they like the hobby they’ll stick to it and the muscle will build over time. And if it doesn’t: power tools.
Good to know, I’m a woman who’d apparently been misinformed but it is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try, but it’s not an ADHD “pick up every hobby” friendly one
but it’s not an ADHD “pick up every hobby” friendly one
That’s true. I was in luck and there was a blacksmith in town who opens his workshop to kids on occasion or travels to job conventions and brought his tools with him. Maybe there are comparable activities/ offers near you, which I can highly recommend. Not only will you not have to worry about tools and materials, most importantly there will be a “teacher” around.
If you find something and decide to check it out, have fun! :)
Blacksmithing is 88% Was this list made by a metal shop kid?
“Oh babe, I love your soda lime mix. You’re not like those other brittle iron bitches out there”
Being handy is attractive. Getting a nice unique present is cool. And blacksmiths / woodworkers are the ones that do that kind of stuff.
So explain why IS 3D printing not higher on the list then?
Because downloading an stl and hitting print isn’t really craftsmanship
Yea, I would wonder why hobby engineering isn’t on the list, or something like ‘maker’ I think 3d printing as a stand alone is more of a support, it would be like, instead of woodworking, the hobby is ‘sawing’ it’s part of it, but engineering is what the hobby is actually.
Because a blacksmith, woodworker or a metalworker are all makers. Ultimately what matters is it is a highly skilled thing that triggers imagination and creates something out of “nothing”. Differentiating between those as hobbies is a matter of how often the hobby is chosen / represented online. There are more woodworkers than metalworkers. Less blacksmiths, so you think of “blacksmith” less when asked what’s “hot”.
I’m also willing to bet that the blacksmith they are picturing looks very different from your average blacksmith.
I only know one guy who is into blacksmithing and - being a nerd myself, I say this with kindness - but this dude is a super nerd. He’s also one of the scrawniest dudes I know. I’ve heard him tell women that he’s into blacksmithing before and it definitely does not have the desired effect that this chart would imply.
You always have to consider Rule #1 when taking these things into account.
I can not fathom how blacksmithing is LOWER on the list than reading. “The dude with the hammer looks nice, but that other one over there is sitting on a sofa for HOURS on end”
Reading demonstrates culturing, education, pursuit of knowledge, and willingness for good conversation. It’s also a hobby that can be practiced together (my wife and I have even devised a technique for how to best read books together)
Blacksmithing is one of the few hobbies that a guy probably can’t teach his girlfriend because women usually use a different technique to make up for strength differences. It’s hot for sure, but it’s hot in a “I’m going to watch you but it’s expensive in time and money, and I may wind up stuck selling at ren faires forever” way as opposed to a “even when we’re old we’ll still be discussing literature” way
Me, a woman who tried blacksmithing before: Don’t use spring steel or other metals that are hard to manipulate/hammer into shape when starting off. Don’t start with a sword, start with bending and twisting a nail into… whatever. If they like the hobby they’ll stick to it and the muscle will build over time. And if it doesn’t: power tools.
Good to know, I’m a woman who’d apparently been misinformed but it is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try, but it’s not an ADHD “pick up every hobby” friendly one
That’s true. I was in luck and there was a blacksmith in town who opens his workshop to kids on occasion or travels to job conventions and brought his tools with him. Maybe there are comparable activities/ offers near you, which I can highly recommend. Not only will you not have to worry about tools and materials, most importantly there will be a “teacher” around.
If you find something and decide to check it out, have fun! :)