I personally wouldn't waste my time even replying to him. Reading his posts its obvious he has a way to high opinion of himself.
In todays world we have the internet and there is a wealth of information out there. While its true that nothing beats actual hands on learning, what you can get off the internet and even some not these U tube's can be helpful
I see nothing wrong with obtaining information wherever one can source it
Like yourself ive been welding as a profession over the last 45 years, im a union boilermaker (retired)
Ive made countless items out of steel used in my trade, however id never refer to myself as a blacksmith
I do know at one time a part of the practical test for blacksmith for the city required the applicant to forge a oblong ring
The kind of ring you'd find at the end of a chain, used for a certain rigging application.
The round stock they gave the guy taking the test had to be drawn down to a specify diameter. Than bent to a exact size width and inside diameter.
Finally the piece had to have the ends hammer welded and it was tested.
Thats real skill to be able to drawn down a piece of stock , measure it to the exact length, bend it exactly and hammer weld it