The Soul of a Craftsman
Fine weaponry and the gear that goes along with it has been sought after by all walks of life. The quality of the tool meant the difference in life or death whether in battle or feeding a family. For centuries it has been improved upon from the very foundation to the intricate ornamentation that adorns the object. Masters passed there skills from one generation to the next. Every generation added a little more advancement to the craft. These items, whether plain to the eye or highly decorated stood the test of time. In the right hands these tools could do the impossible. Some of these items where purchased never to be used only left alone investments in someones vault. Some where used hard and gained character with time adding more beauty to the tool. As we advanced and time gave way to the industrial age a lot of the tradesman where replaced by machinery and so began the age of a throw away world. The masters gained age with no apprentices to show the skills of the old ways. But in certain pockets around the world a few held on and there where a few young people willing to invest in there skills. These craftsman where blacksmiths, bladesmiths, gunsmiths, saddle makers, harness makers, leather workers, bowyers, bit and spur makers the list goes on and on. These where time honored skills that where common place but have now become well less common. We as "traditional archers" embrace the old ways we like the feel of good wood and leather. We like to hold a knife that holds the sweat of the man who stood before the fire with a discriminating eye. These are the things we value most for when we take them afield they have meaning, they have life, they have the soul of the maker in them. Although there may never be quite the need for these craftsman as there had in past there still is a need. There will always be people who can see the difference. There will always be people who know that the initial cost is more but it is a better value in the long run. There will always be people who need the best so they can be there best. There will always be people who demand the best. When stuck in a environment that is unforgiving and your life depends on it is where these tools shine. But there are few who will ever really put themselves in that type of situation. Just as it is a comfort to know there are places that are still wild it is also a comfort to know there a still some craftsman left building in a tradition that is almost all but gone. Long live the craftsman.
By Scott Teaschner
Topic: The Soul of a Craftsman (Read 381 times)
