History Main / TheBlackSmith

* Two major characters, and several minor ones, in L.E. Modesitt's ''Literature/TheSagaOfRecluce'' practice blacksmithing as their profession. Not just weapons, but tools and various other odds and ends. One of the most [[ShownTheirWork realistic depictions of the craft]] in fiction.

Someone who shapes things out of iron and steel, so called because iron is a "black" metal. This craft has been around since humans first learned to shape iron and iron alloys. Metalworkers specializing in bronze or copper are sometimes referred to as "redsmiths",[[note]]A more common word historically was "coppersmith"[[/note]] and those that work with tin or pewter (or who finish and polish metal goods in general) are known as "whitesmiths."[[note]]Historically also "tinsmith" and "tinker", although the latter became a derogatory term for UsefulNotes/IrishTravellers (since their main trade historically was itinerant tin-working)[[/note]] "Goldsmith" and "Silversmith" are self-explanatory.

The blacksmith was an invaluable member of the community until the advent of mass-production techniques in the Twentieth Century and is still a substantial figure in less industrialized areas. The smith is often used symbolically to represent mankind's creative abilities and the advances of technology. His tools, the forge, hammer and tongs, and the anvil are rich with metaphorical meaning. Swordsmiths were held in extremely high regard in Japan, to the extent of attributing magical powers to their work: Masamune, it was said, made a sword that would cut everything sinful while not cutting that which was innocent. All of these are reasons the name "Smith" is so common not only in Anglophone countries but also, for example, in Slavic countries, where variations of the word "Kovač" are also one of the most common surnames, and also in Romance language with names such as Ferrari, Lefèvre, Herrera, Ferreira, and Fieraru.

You can still find blacksmiths working today. These days they tend to make specialist and custom items that are not economic for or require a level of attention to detail incompatible with mass production techniques . Such artisans will produce custom knives, film and theatre props, decorations, custom sized wrought iron gates, weapons and armour for WarReenactors, members of the UsefulNotes/SocietyForCreativeAnachronism, {{LARP}} enthusiasts etc. and farriers are still around working for hunts, the horseracing industry, horse owners and the leisure riding industry.

* The Armorer from ''Series/TheMandalorian''. In addition to forging their armor and weapons, she's also shown to hold a position of high authority among the Covert, acting as a HighPriest who provides advice and occasionally breaks up fights between members. In the first season finale she also proves to be a capable ActionGirl when she takes out five Stormtroopers single-handed using her [[DropTheHammer forging hammer and tongs]].

*** Vulkan, the primarch of the Salamanders was raised as a blacksmith on his home planet, and his chapter has kept this tradition alive in the millennia since. In addition to forging and maintaining their own gear, The Salamanders also tend to favor [[KillItWithFire flamethrowers, meltaguns]], and [[DropTheHammer energized hammers]] in combat. This has practical applications to their role as defenders of humanity as well; they are the only chapter able (and [[ThePaladin willing]]) to help rebuild essential infrastructure when the fighting is over.

* ''[[TabletopGame/{{Champions}} Golden Age Champions]]'' includes a trio of Soviet superheroes known as the Bolshevik Boys. All three were members of a Red Army cavalry unit who were inexplicably given powers by an alien spaceship. Red Hammer was the unit's blacksmith, and he became the team's brick and wields [[DropTheHammer a sledgehammer as his primary weapon]].

* ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'' has its own variety of the Blacksmith as a class, derived from [[IntrepidMerchant Intrepid Merchants]]. Blacksmiths are capable of direct combat via [[StatusBuff Status Buffs]], [[ItemCrafting forging weapons]], and refining metals. In battle, Blacksmiths can either wield an axe or a [[DropTheHammer mace]] as their weapon of choice. It also has a few [[UltimateBlacksmith Ultimate Blacksmiths]] making appearances in quests, especially the famed God Items quests.

Due to the physical strength needed for pumping the bellows, hammering metal, and enduring the temperature of the forge, most blacksmiths will be depicted as burly fellows; variations of this usually include StoutStrength, female blacksmiths with a WrenchWench vibe, and smaller smiths with wiry muscle giving them surprising strength. If forced into combat, most fictional blacksmiths can [[DropTheHammer use their hammers]] to devastating effect, but weaponsmiths will often use the weapons they specialize in making instead. The blacksmith may possibly be related to robot tropes as well in a sort of Technology, Strength, and Intelligence sort of way.

* Hewg from ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' acts as the game's sole blacksmith. He's a Misbegotten who was cursed by Queen Marika and bound to the Roundtable Hold, forging weapons for the Tarnished. Though trapped in his post, he doesn't seem to mind the work and grows increasingly focused on forging a weapon capable of killing a god. [[spoiler:Even after burning down the Erdtree and his servitude lifted, he remains in his post smithing as his mind and body slowly deteriorates.]]

* In ''Tiger Eye'', heroine Dela is a rare and peculiar modern smith. She sculpts in metal as well as making commission weapons, and the plot kicks off when one of her weapons is discovered to have been used in a murder.

* In the ''VideoGame/{{Atelier}}'' series' ''Arland'' trilogy, Hagel can make weapons and armor for the protagonist if she brings him the proper metal or cloth.

* ''Literature/TheToughGuideToFantasyland'': A good source of allies. They'll often serve as foster fathers to a young Tourist and or [[KingIncognito Missing Heir]]. Also their skills are useful in being able to teach reforging a sword. However, often they will have a sexy young daughter who will attempt to seduce her foster brother, requiring that they leave on a quest hastily for avoiding her father's rage.
* ''Literature/WraithKnight'': The forging of magical items is an important part of the setting with this trade being something that a lot of magicians have to learn. A handful of wizards have also ascended to become UltimateBlacksmith types like Co'Fannon, Tharadon the Black, and [[spoiler: Jacob Riverson]].

* There are at least a couple of blacksmiths in the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series, starting with the dwarf who forges Excalibur in [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI the first game]]. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' also allows players to become a Blacksmith as one of the many crafting professions they can pursue to create gear and other items.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIIRevenantWings'' has Cu Sith, perhaps the cutest version of this ever. She's a tiny little [[SummonMagic Yarhi]] who works as the party's chief mechanic and Master Artificer to forge weapons on their airship.

* Zappa from ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' (his wife has a similar build).
* Watts from ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana''.
* Recruiting at least one blacksmith happens in every ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}'' game, and is vital to getting your weapons to their highest potential.
* ''VideoGame/{{Patapon}}'' has a former Dekapon (The MightyGlacier class) who would help the player turn ore to alloys (useful) or mythical ores to powerful weapons and armour. In the sequel, he demands some kaching to forge nicer items.
* Dojima the blacksmith from ''VideoGame/WayOfTheSamurai 1 and 2''. He also fights with his hammer and tongs, which you can take from him if you kill him.
* The ''VideoGame/SummonNight: Swordcraft Story'' trilogy. Smithing is SeriousBusiness.
* Sophitia's off-screen husband Rothion, in ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur''. Sophie's god and mentor Hephestus explicitly asked him to forge ''sacred weapons'' for his warrior girlfriend/later wife, which he promptly did. [[spoiler: ''Twice''.]]
* Griswold in the first ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' game.
** Succeeded in the second game by: Charsi (Rogue Encampment), Fara (Lut Gholein), Hratli (Kurast), Halbu (Pandemonium Fortress), and Lazurk (Harrogath). The first two are females of the WrenchWench variety.
** Haedrig Eamon from ''VideoGame/DiabloIII''
* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'s'' Hammerite faction are very enamored of The Blacksmith. The guards may not smith on a daily basis but several religious texts found in-game make it clear that someone cannot progress from being a novice of the order without proving their skill in blacksmithing and stonemasonry.
* ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'' has its own variety of the Blacksmith as a class, derived from [[IntrepidMerchant Intrepid Merchants]]. Blacksmiths are capable of direct combat via [[StatusBuff Status Buffs]], [[ItemCrafting forging weapons]], and refining metals. In battle, Blacksmiths can either wield an axe or a [[DropTheHammer mace]] as their weapon of choice. It also has a few [[UltimateBlacksmith Ultimate Blacksmiths]] making appearances in quests, especially the famed God Items quests.
** The transcended class for Blacksmiths is known in the original Korean (and Japanese) versions of ''RO'' as "Whitesmith." Because of the obscurity of that term [[EverythingIsRacist could have lead to unwanted controversy]], Gravity LLC changed the class name to "Mastersmith."
* ''VideoGame/RagnarokIILegendOfTheSecond'' also has Blacksmiths, but they are now part of the Dual Life System, which means they are a crafting class that characters can choose in addition to their combat class.

* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' features Blacksmithing as a learnable profession for PlayerCharacters, as well as a wealth of Blacksmith [=NPCs=] in every major city, many towns, and even randomly in the wilderness, some of whom will offer to teach Blacksmith [=PCs=] exclusive recipes as quest rewards. Characters who learn Blacksmithing produce metal weapons and armor, various metal items used by other professions, and various weapon and armor enhancing items. At higher levels, Blacksmiths have the option to undergo quest chains to specialize in weapon or armor smithing.
** As of the Burning Crusade expansion, the Weaponsmith and Armorsmith specializations can only be used to create specialty weapons and armor ''for yourself.'' The specialty items a weaponsmith or armorsmith makes cannot be given to any other character. Ironic, considering that the dwarf in Ironforge who offers the Weaponsmith quest tells you about how lucrative it is to sell your weaponsmithing products.
* ''VideoGame/QuestForGloryII'' has [[JerkJock Isurr]], ''VideoGame/QuestForGloryV'' had [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubsitute Pholus]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Mabinogi}}'' and its prequel ''VideoGame/{{Vindictus}}'' both feature blacksmith Fergus. In the latter, he's the only blacksmith available to craft weapons and armour. In the former, he's one of several; and is the worst, clumsiest, least-reliable of the lot.
** In both games, the character has the opportunity to learn blacksmithing skills. In ''Vindictus'', the character has to specialize in a particular type of blacksmithing -- weapons or armour, not both. In ''Mabinogi'', the character not only learns to craft both weapons and armour, but also everyday tools (including the hammer required to practice the skill).
* ''VideoGame/TheSimsMedieval'': One of the ten available Hero Sims is The Blacksmith, whose duties are to craft weapons, armor, magic staves, and help the kingdom fend off occasional dance-crazed Golems.

* Every ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' game is guaranteed to have an old guy ([[CoolOldGuy cool]] or [[CrustyCaretaker crusty]]) who will upgrade your farming tools for the right price.

* The Black Hammer of ''VideoGame/DarkSiders'' is an immortal who forges weaponry for anyone if he feels up to it. Usually the forces of Heaven or the Horsemen.
* In ''VideoGame/InfinityBlade'' ''III'', Isa rescues Jensen the blacksmith from his tower prison in the third act. Jensen can upgrade mastered equipment, improving their stats and allowing them to be mastered again. He also repairs [[spoiler:the Redeemer, which Siris uses to erase the Worker's memories in the final battle.]]
* In ''Weapon Shop de Omasse'', you are the blacksmith who makes the weapons used by heroes on their quests.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Atelier}}'' series' ''Arland'' trilogy, Hagel can make weapons and armor for the protagonist if she brings him the proper metal or cloth.
* There are a total of three playable smith classes in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', the blacksmith who specializes in weapons, armorsmiths who create armor, and goldsmith who create various accessories.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
** Throughout the series' lore, [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orcs]] are renowned across Tamriel for the skill as blacksmiths, forging some of the best and most sought-after heavy armors in the land. Young Orcs, male and female alike, are trained from a young age to mine and smith ore, particularly the rare metal [[FantasyMetals Orichalcum]].
** Throughout the series, most major (and some minor) settlements have at least one blacksmith, with many of the larger settlements having several. (Which in this case, they tend to either specialize in different types of weapons/armor or are rivals.)
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', for the first time in the series, the PlayerCharacter can create new weapons and armor out of raw materials (rather than repairing already-made good in past games). As a result, he/she can become a Blacksmith without peer with the ability to create armor out of high-tier ''dragon bones and scales''.
* In ''Videogame/DarkestDungeon'', the blacksmith is one of the buildings in the Hamlet that can be upgraded between each quest. This is one of the most essential buildings, as the Blacksmith is the only way to upgrade a hero's base health and damage by purchasing better quality armour and weapons from said smith.
* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has numerous smiths, from the sorcerer-blacksmith Rickert of Vinheim, to the unnamed Giant Blacksmith of Anor Londo, to the skeleton smith Vamos. The most prominent, however, is Andre of Astora, a good-natured, friendly man who even makes a re-appearance in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', still smithing away.
* Hewg from ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' acts as the game's sole blacksmith. He's a Misbegotten who was cursed by Queen Marika and bound to the Roundtable Hold, forging weapons for the Tarnished. Though trapped in his post, he doesn't seem to mind the work and grows increasingly focused on forging a weapon capable of killing a god. [[spoiler:Even after burning down the Erdtree and his servitude lifted, he remains in his post smithing as his mind and body slowly deteriorates.]]
* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' and the Awakening expansion pack has Wade, who much prefers to be an UltimateBlacksmith when you can find him the materials he needs to craft exotic equipment. He crafts more normal equipment only grudgingly, much to the distress of his partner, Herren.

* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'', from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Path Of Radiance]]'' onwards, has the [[http://fireemblem.wikia.com/wiki/Forge Forge]] game mechanic where some characters can become blacksmiths and forge all kinds of pre-existing weapons (swords, knives, axes, lances, bows, magic tomes, etc.) into stronger versions:
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'' have Daniel from the Merchant Convoy.
** The DS remakes of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem'' plus ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' have [=NPCs=] (and in ''Awakening'''s case, the Merchant Annas who show up randomly) that double as merchants and blacksmiths.
** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', ''anyone'' in the playable cast save for the Avatar and Lilith can take up the blacksmith role if the Avatar has a Smithy building in My Castle, goes in there and has not only weapons to spare but some specific type of ore. (i.e., a Nohrian sword and some rubies, a Hoshidan katana and pearls, etc.)
** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemEchoesShadowsOfValentia'', some towns have [=NPCs=] that will forge weapons in exchange for Silver and Gold marks.
* In ''VideoGame/SakuraWars2019'', Tekkan Amamiya is not only the father of the main heroine Sakura Amamiya but is also a skilled blacksmith who has forged her favorite sword, the Amamiya Kunisada. He's also friends with the main protagonist Seijuro Kamiyama.

* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}''. As long as you have the right materials and a Crafting Bench, you can basically make any tool or armor the game allows you to.
** Villagers have three different blacksmithing "professions," armorer, toolsmith, and weaponsmith. They will sell you tools and refresh their stock after working at their respective workstations[[note]]blast furnace, smithing table, and gridstone, respectively[[/note]]. Before the villager revamp, their was just the generic blacksmith who handled all three of the current professions.

-->-- '''Henry Wadsworth Longfellow''', ''The Village Smithy''