The Island Blacksmith: 2011-the present
The island workshop is located in a portion of a shared creative arts space. Plenty of rusty old tools and scrap metal to add character and a few modifications including shelves, doors, a boardwalk, a chimney, and some lighting transformed the eight by twelve space into a very useable and inspiring blacksmith shop. See the workshop set up…
The Wandering Years: 2005-2011
During this time, workshop space and time were scarce. Most of the metal work during this time was done in situ or in makeshift locations. Mainly fabrication like coping for skateboard ramps, boxes and ledges, playground equipment and fencing, and general repairs made up the bulk of the projects. Dave was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time teaching at a design school in Japan, and to be invited to make a spontaneous cameo appearance at the Barkerville blacksmith shop one day.
The Barn Shed: 1995-2005
After the proving grounds of a couple of cold winter stretches in the lean-to, the small barn-shaped shed next door became available for use. The six by twelve foot workshop improved on the previous shop with a woodstove, power for tools, shelter from the rain and snow, and more storage space.
The Portable Set-up: 1995
This was a stripped-down version of the workshop that was used for a public blacksmithing and heritage crafts demonstration as part of an artisan street fair in the Kensington district of Calgary.
The Lean-to: 1992-1994
The first top-secret workshop consisted of a six by eight foot tin roof on posts wedged between two sheds and a fence. The roof had a hole to accomodate the tree that shared the floor space. Offering little protection from the winter wind and snow, it was later modified slightly to enclose the high side and some of the openings.
The Village Blacksmith Shop: 1992
This shop, where I undertook some training, belonged to Mr. Emmanuel A. Schrock, Blacksmith. It was located in the former livery stables in Fredericksburg, Ohio. Plenty of space and many tools and raw materials to choose from. Read about Mr. Schrock and see more pictures of the shop here: islandblacksmith.ca/emmanuel-schrock/
The Outdoor Trials: 1990-1991
Preliminary experiments with heating metal were mainly aimed at quenching and tempering steel for small stock removal blades. Various configurations of empty coffee cans and reversed vacuum cleaners had varying degrees of success and very short lifespans. It was these crude trials, though, lit by moonlight and the swirling glow of dancing flame and spark, that first imparted the love of mastering the art of combining fuel, air, fire, and steel.
