We have also among us the Brownsmiths, or makers of brown bills; the Nasmyths, or nailsmiths; the Arrowsmiths, or makers of arrowheads; the Spearsmiths, or spear makers; the Shoosmiths, or horse shoers; the Goldsmiths, or workers in gold; and many more.

The Smith proper was, however, the worker in iron--the maker of iron tools, implements, and arms--and hence this name exceeds in number that of all the others combined.
In course of time the smiths of particular districts began to distinguish themselves for their excellence in particular branches of iron-work.

From being merely the retainer of some lordly or religious establishment, the smith worked to supply the general demand, and gradually became a manufacturer.

Thus the makers of swords, tools, bits, and nails, congregated at Birmingham; and the makers of knives and arrowheads at Sheffield.

Chaucer speaks of the Miller of Trompington as provided with a Sheffield whittle:-- "A Shefeld thwytel bare he in his hose." [22] The common English arrowheads manufactured at Sheffield were long celebrated for their excellent temper, as Sheffield iron and steel plates are now.