Standard Gathering

To gather glass the glass maker lowers the iron until a reflection of the tip of the iron can be seen on the surface of the glass, then without turning the iron it is gently dipped into the glass until the required depth is achieved. The glass maker begins to turn the iron using both hands alternately, while moving across the surface of the glass. As the glass maker comes to the end of the gather the iron is released from the glass, the whole time the iron is being moved forwards until completely out of the glass. Looking at the gathering process from the side; the tip of the iron moves as if skimming the bottom of a slow curved bowl. The glass maker can then bring the iron back to the throat of the furnace and then exit the furnace. The most effective way to exit the furnace without getting glass on the throat of the furnace is a combination of your elbows, shoulders and walking backwards with an emphasis on walking backwards. This is the steadiest way to exit.