Editing Blacksmith (section)

== Blacksmith's striker ==<!-- linked from article Harry_Pollitt -->
[[File:La fragua.jpg|thumb|''La Fragua'' ({{Lit|The Forge}}), {{Circa|1814}}, by [[Francisco Goya|Francisco de Goya]]]]
A blacksmith's striker is an assistant (frequently an [[apprentice]]) whose job is to swing a large [[sledgehammer]] in heavy forging operations, as directed by the blacksmith. In practice, the blacksmith holds the hot iron at the anvil (with tongs) in one hand, and indicates where to strike the iron by tapping it with a small hammer in the other hand. The striker then delivers a heavy blow to the indicated spot with a sledgehammer. During the 20th century and into the 21st century, this role has become increasingly unnecessary and automated through the use of [[trip hammer]]s or reciprocating power hammers.