Robins Blacksmithing Began

Robins Blacksmithing Decorative Iron Sign

It was in the fall of 1998 a young couple demonstrated as the “Village Blacksmith” for a non profit organization. We are unsure if it was the blacksmith demonstration or the heat from the coal forge that made the crowed huddle together on that crisp fall day.

Learn How To Blacksmith

Dewey At The Coal Forge

One thing I learned from that first public demonstration, was that I needed to learn how to blacksmith.  It’s not that I was unfamiliar with steel but there are differences between a metal fabricator and being a modern blacksmith.

I started welding in my dad’s shop”Joe’s Machine Shop” at a very young age and continue to weld and fabricate to this day.  when someone told me I could weld two pieces of steel together in a coal fire, I said “ya, right”.

Thanks to Dave Hartwig, a master blacksmith, for mentoring me and teaching me the basics of blacksmithing.  By the time Dave made it to teaching the fundamentals of forge welding, I already fell so deep into the blacksmith quest, that there was no turning back.

The following spring Dewey and Karen decided to build a smithy to protect them from the elements of “Mother Nature.”  You can find their first shop at “Heritage Park of North Iowa” show grounds in Forest City, Iowa.

The poles were set and the roof was tinned from the previous fall.  Early that spring we got busy closing up the walls and building a work bench for our first blacksmith shop.

A robin started her own construction before we got there.  She had constructed herself a sturdy nest atop one of the wall posts.  We had many conversations with the robin as we forged onward to finish the task at hand.  I think the robin got to liking us.

That all important day had finally arrived,  it would be the first day of demonstrating our blacksmith art in our new smithy.  It was a very exciting day! We got to share our new acquired knowledge of forging iron and steel.

Robins Blacksmithing Was Founded

With all the commotion and excitement, the three young robins took their first attempt at flight.  and so the name, Robins Blacksmithing, was founded.  We at Robins Blacksmithing encourage you to give blacksmithing a try, it is truly rewarding.  Visit your nearest Village Blacksmith today and you could possibly learn how to blacksmith, too.

Robins Blacksmith Shop