My neighbor's kid asked me why I always wear my old leather apron.

He said his dad told him 'real smiths feel the heat through their gear, it keeps you sharp'. I've been using a modern Kevlar one for two years. Now I'm second guessing every time I spark up the forge. Anyone else have a piece of gear they switched from that they regret?

3 comments

3 Comments

sam5302mo ago

Yeah but michaelnguyen, those old steel toes were heavy as heck.

michaelnguyen2mo ago

My old shop teacher swore by his steel-toed leather boots, said he could feel the floor vibrations better. He retired and the district bought us all those modern composite toe ones. They're lighter, but I swear I trip over my own feet more now. It's like losing a sense you didn't know you were using. That kid's dad might be onto something about feeling the work.

aarons3626d ago

Are you seriously saying lighter safer boots make you TRIP more? Come on man. Your shop teacher was just stuck in his ways and didnt want to adapt. Those composite toes are WAY better for your feet long term. Less back pain, less knee strain, your whole body will thank you after 30 years on concrete. I swapped from leather to composite and my feet stopped hurting at the end of the day. The vibration thing sounds like total old timer lore honestly.