Red hot iron: Perspectives of a young blacksmith

My name is Magnus Budge, Of England. I left school at 16, Trained at college as a blacksmith and now I am employed as a Blacksmith near York. Red hot Iron is going to likely be a weekly "blog" about a certain subject - Although this week has two articles; the introduction (This article) and one on Materials in a modern blacksmith's workshop (coming later this weekend).

Almost as far back as I can remember, I have wanted to be a blacksmith. I think my first inspiration for this was my love of history. Throughout the past few millennia, there have always been 'smiths. Blacksmiths, though some were bronze workers (& earlier still copper workers) known simply as "Redsmiths", have always been at the centrepoint of history & culture - Every village or town having at least one blacksmith and sometimes more. I have always been interested in archaic & esoteric ideas including the occult and various local traditions of the ancient and modern worlds. In short: A blacksmith is an honourable craft, focused on efficiency and quality whilst still witholding traditions from times long gone.

I first hit a piece of hot metal with a hammer at the age of 12 or 13. It was in a local engineering workshop on a farm who worked for a local charity to give people an opportunity they may not necessarily otherwise have. I made a very slightly bent piece of metal, maybe 10mm (3/8") thick, slighly tapered to one side. From that moment, I wanted to explore further. I was at school at this time. "The Atrium Studio School" in Ashburton, Devon. A studio school built around the built environment - I couldn't have asked for a better environment to develop my skills in design and architecture - Which is where I believe my taste in Industrial style ironwork was fostered. A few years later, I went on a basic Blacksmithing course with a Blacksmith in Kettering, Northamptonshire. His name was John, also known by his moniker "The Copper Elf".

John showed me the basics of blacksmithing. I had a couple of days with him learning some basic techniques. He was kind and helpful (Then again, I was paying him!). He taught me to twist and fettle to make a few beautiful items, among which being a bottle opener and toasting fork which are common items to make on a basics course. I still remember the smell of the "vanilla" tobacco he had a habit of smoking. Terrible bloody habit, mind... But somewhat nostalgic now.

After I had met John and he showed me Ironworking, I had decided. This is what I want to do. A few years passed - I took and completed my GCSE's, all the time researching the ins and outs of blacksmithing and the traditional culture of the 'smith.

After I left school, this being on two-and-a-half years ago now, i decided to go to a college by the name of Plumpton College in the downs of East Sussex. An agricultural college by tradition, attending Plumpton opened a new chapter in my life. I began boarding at college, living on-site and attending a local Re-enactment group of Vikings. They were part of a society colloquially known as the "Vike". Whilst at college, I learned many things in primarily the style of Arts & Crafts works but also in some more traditional styles as well as more modern techniques in fabrication & welding and Small scale work (In this case, Jewellery). Attending college was a thing I'd never have expected - It shaped and moulded the person I was to the person I am now. Plumpton, although not what many would consider to be the best environment for learning a craft, was more than adequate for what I needed; Experience. In Blacksmithing, Experience is everything. It's the crucial part of my work where I can tell how to correct my mistakes and how to work and what will & won't work.

This year-last, I left college. I graduated with two distinctions and a distinction star, If that means anything. My time at college was cut-short by the Covid pandemic which meant i couldn't make a final piece this year and instead had to resort to designing and modelling a plethora of maquettes (small preliminay models) to substitute what work I wouyld have produced. All in all, college was an excellent experience - one I'll never forget, but wouldn't like to do again. That being said, I could afford going to Hereford Univerisity to take a BA in Blacksmithing I would have done. Unfortunately I come from a working class background - once where although it would be possible to take a loan to study, I prefer to stay debt free and un-shackled by a loan or mortgage as long as possible.

In the last month-and-a-half, I have been taken on a Blacksmith by Andrew Brind Ltd. in Elvington (near York). I am being paid minumum wage for the period of my 3 month probation (Which is £6.45 / hr for my age bracket). I work monday to friday, 7am to 3.30 pm, 39hrs a week plus overtime. We forge and fabricate a variety of gates, railings and forged items in any style the client specifies for almost any budget. This is where i am now. A month into my Probationary period; With the possibility of making some of my own work on the side as well as writing here information and almost a journal of my journey.

So that's me!

You can expect another article this weekend (probably tomorrow, the 14th of November.)

Should you wish to get a piece made, Don't hesitate to contact Andrew Brind Ltd. for a quote and mention Magnus sent you!

Signing out for now, Magnus Budge

P.S. You can also find my instagram below!

https://www.instagram.com/m.budge_blacksmith/