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“Tent Conference”August 13 & 14, 2022 After a two-year hiatus due to Covid 19, Rocky Mountain Smiths are pleased to offer a two-day conference featuring Caleb Kullman demonstrating in the morning sessions. Afternoon sessions will be a group project and Saturday evening will be a forging competition. Conference will be held from 9AM Saturday thru 5PM Sunday at Glenn and
Take the next step in your training! Instruction and personnel coaching to make Level 2 grille, fire poker and tools Mark Aspery and a team of ABANA National Instructors 5 – 2hr sessions with coaching in between Starting June 2nd, every 1st Thursday Limited to 20 students fee is $100, register here Questions:
The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA) is dedicated to perpetuating the noble art of blacksmithing. A blacksmith is one who shapes and forges iron with hammer and anvil. ABANA encourages and facilitates the training of blacksmiths; disseminates information about sources of material and equipment; exposes the art of blacksmithing to the public; serves as a center of information about blacksmithing for the general public, architects, interior designers, and other interested parties.
From The President
By Leigh Morrell
In My Experience
Greetings fellow blacksmithing enthusiasts,
In our journey of life, our character and skill sets are predicated on our personal experiences. As I reflect on my blacksmithing career, this is so, so true. I chose to take up horseshoeing and in early 1970 graduated from farrier school. That was the first time I experienced a coal forge fire with its unique sweet smell of burning coal, forging for the first time creating a satisfactory horseshoe and embarking on a short career of horseshoeing. During off periods, I would fire up the forge and create items of interest: hooks, pokers, and the like. There were few books available, so my experimentation was my teacher. The “aha” moment of the “quench” bend, forge welding without flux. (Flux? Really?) So in 1979, when I was introduced to ornamental blacksmithing at the second New England Blacksmith meet, I was agog with new experiences, launching me into a new realm of understanding in the field of blacksmithing. It is by experience that we grow in this endeavor. To be part of a greater whole by attending conferences, hammer-ins, and internships.
At that first meet, I met some incredibly talented smiths. One of those in attendance was Dick Sargent, VT, with a spectacular article within the pages of this Hammer’s Blow. Again, he brings new meaning to “thinking outside the box” with his approach to forging pintels and baluster tenons. Add that to your experiences.
Also thinking outside the box is Ron Nichols from Tennessee with his alphabet. Ron is one of our ABANA National Curriculum instructors. Here, with patience and forethought, you too can experience new levels of creativity in your forging skill sets.
Then, be sure to spend time with Fred Crist and his forged rose. I was pleased to be in attendance when he performed this miraculous transition from a block of steel to a sweet rose! It is such a pleasure to witness the manipulation of material into objects of art.
However, it is your experience that counts – not witnessing, but DOING! Take every advantage to participate in “hands on” forging at your conferences and your personal forge. The take-away is then truly yours – your experience – your satisfaction – your increased skill set!
This Hammer’s Blow has a tear-out section in the centerfold with the Level II National Curriculum Grille.
Thanks to Russell Evertz for this valuable ABANA asset.
Pull it out, Copy it, Use it. You’ll love the experience!.
– Leigh Morrell, ABANA President