You're question is a bit of a tricky one to answer, but I think its best to say that it was easier for white craftsmen to compete against enslaved craftsmen simply because white craftsmen were free to compete, while enslaved tradesmen worked at the direction of their owners.  First, it is important to point out from a skills standpoint that slaves were as good as the training they were provided as well as the leeway their owners allowed for them to develop as tradesmen.  



-Another consideration is the specialized tools needed needed in any trade.  A tradesman might have one or two years of potential income invested in tools.  While some tools could be made at a local blacksmith shop, others may have had to have been ordered from out of the area or even imported from Britain.  A large family group could afford to build up a good tool inventory by pooling their resources since some tools were not used day to day but but when needed could not be replaced by a more common tool.  Someone doing a one time project would not want to buy tools they would not use again.   They might be able to do a lot of the basic work and then call in a master craftsman to finish the job.

John Garrett

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