I'm not an expert by any means. And I'm not rich or even close to it either. But the best money I ever spent was going to a class up by Potossi, MO to Tom Clark's school. He had Uri Hoffi come and hold the class. I'll always treasure the week I spent watching, listening, heating and hammering, but most of all learning.
Tom was small in stature but about as wirey as they come. Uri was bigger and strong. Some may disagree but they are or were some of the best smiths around.
Not only will you learn smithing at a school but you will make friends from all over. Your entrance into smithing just got bigger.
In Missouri we have BAM which is our state blacksmithing organization. BAM holds schools fairly regularly for almost no money with local smiths as instructors. I'm sure other organizations do as well. Most of these organizations have a list of items members want to sell.
Have fun.
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