Ding Dong, Ding Dong... He persisted for 41 years

Shilong white iron craftsman Hong Yimin hopes to pass on the craftsmanship

　　Hong Yimin, a white iron craftsman, has persisted in the clink for more than 40 years.

　　Text, picture/Guangzhou Daily full media reporter Shi Zhongqing, correspondent Zhu Ziyou

　　In the past, galvanized iron products were popular among the general public for their light weight, affordable price, durability, and resistance to rust.

Nowadays, with the development of society, beautiful and exquisite plastic products and stainless steel products are constantly being introduced. The single-color and monotonous white iron products gradually fade out of people's vision, and the white iron industry is also declining.

However, despite the fact that the making of white iron is regarded as a sunset industry, there are still people in Shilong, the ancient town who stick to this traditional old business, and let the craftsman spirit of this old craft pass on.

　　"Old business" hard to find on the street

　　To the south of Qilou Street, Zhongshan West Road, Shilong, there is a Baitie shop that has been in business for many years.

Before approaching, I heard the beating sound of "ding ding dang dang, ding ding dang dang" from time to time in the store.

　　The shop is "small, but it has all five internal organs." All kinds of white iron products are filled inside and outside the shop, ranging from iron barrels, rice rolls, letter boxes, and safes to small iron watering cans, funnels and water ladles.

This is the shop of Hong Yimin, a Shilong white iron craftsman who adheres to traditional craftsmanship-Yimin White Iron Shop.

　　Buckets, basins, pots and scoops made of white iron are the daily necessities of every household in the past.

According to Master Hong, there were at least five or six white iron shops on Zhongshan Road in Shilong, hidden in hundreds of shops of various types.

Now this kind of old craftsmanship is hard to find on the streets.

　　"After the reform and opening up, with the development of the economy, a large number of plastic and stainless steel products appeared, coupled with the continuous improvement of industrialization, mechanical production began to replace manual production, and the white iron industry was gradually declining." Master Hong picked up the small measuring cup beside him and said. "Like this small measuring cup, if we make it by hand, it usually takes a few hours, and the larger one even takes half a day, but it only sells to customers for only a few dozen yuan. The price after removing the cost and processing, the profit becomes very small. , It is difficult to be competitive in the market. Therefore, the living space of white iron products is getting smaller and smaller."

　　At present, the source of Master Hong's customers is mainly some old neighborhoods, and sometimes he also accepts orders from some manufacturers' shops to manufacture all kinds of handmade white iron appliances.

　　Traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation

　　The white ironsmith's tools are very simple, hammer, scissors, anvil, pliers, electric soldering tongs... these are all the tools that Master Hong uses to make white iron products daily.

The tools seem simple, but it is not easy to use and master the craft.

　　A handful of them, Master Hong has been engaged in the white iron handicraft industry for 41 years. When it comes to how to enter the industry, Master Hong's thoughts are pulled back to the past.

It was not his father who taught his skills back then.

　　Master Hong’s family is a family of white iron. From the generation of Master Hong’s grandfather, he started making white iron in Shilong, and his skills have been passed down from generation to generation.

Master Hong followed his father to learn arts when he graduated from high school at the age of 17. Later, through his own research and exploration, diligent study and practice, his skills became more and more proficient.

　　When he was young, Master Hong worked at the Shilong Bicycle Parts Factory until the bicycle parts factory was dissolved in the early 1990s.

　　After that, Master Hong has returned to his ancestral business, and although his business is declining, he still persists.

In the beginning, Master Hong made a living by taking orders for white iron from customers at home.

In 2000, Master Hong rented a shop on Zhongshan West Road to sell tinplate products.

　　Seems simple tricks

　　Master Hong said that making white iron appliances seems simple, but there are many tricks.

In their line of work, all the effort is in your hands. No matter what product you do, you cannot do without the processes of cutting, cutting, and beating. Various products are completed by cutting, cutting, beating, and hammering.

　　Before manufacturing, measuring and cutting is the key point. First, cut the material according to the product requirements, calculate the shape of the material required for measurement, and then cut it according to the shape, square, round, straight, or curved. Relying on Master Hong’s experience, one cut must be accurate and correct. If you cut too much, you need to modify it, and waste materials; if you cut too little, you won’t be able to shape it.

Master Hong knew this already, and he knew it at a glance.

　　The most test of this skill is the connection. The connection process must not only ensure a tight fit, but also be beautiful.

As for the work of processing white iron, it is mainly reflected in the hammering. The hammer hammer must be controlled properly, not too strong, and not weak.

Poor knocking will cause the product to be weak and unstable; uneven knocking will result in asymmetry and unsightly.

　　Stick to your hand

　　Although the white iron utensils made by Master Hong do not have color decoration, they are exquisite in craftsmanship, straight-faced, and durable. They are still loved by some nostalgic neighborhoods. Many neighborhoods will visit the store to find Master Hong to customize various types of white iron products. .

　　However, with the development and changes of the times, the iron sheet processing industry has gradually faded out of people's sight. The white blacksmiths who were once found everywhere in the streets and alleys have also become a kind of long-lasting memory as the years pass.

There are fewer and fewer people in this line, which makes him feel regret and regret.

　　Master Hong said frankly that the production of tinplate is already a sunset industry, but he has been in this industry for 41 years and has a deep affection for this craft.

He said: "After all, I have been in this business for 41 years, and I don't know how to do other crafts. I will continue to do it regardless of whether there is a market or whether the business is good or not." Master Hong expressed his hope that this craft can continue to be passed on.