Forge Side Chat

Episode 172 with Will Steed of The Forge Co. in Leduc, Alberta.Will has been growing his blacksmithing skills over the last 8 years and during that time has developed a business creating artistic pieces. Will has also established a mobile workshop that he takes across Western Canada during the summer months. He uses this to help bring blacksmithing into areas where it isn't as easily accessible. The workshops can range from knives and axes to artistic skills behind the anvil.Will takes us around the shop a little bit during this interview. My apologies if you find this portion tough to listen to via just audio. Check out the YouTube version available for free!Huge thank you to all our listeners and supporters! Can't say enough about the people that reach out to let me know how much they enjoy the show! Fuel my fire hosers!

EP 171 with Samuel Mercier @lesforgesmercier is now out and live. Catch it on your favourite podcast platform or even better you can now watch on YouTube!Samuel has been at this game for the last 10 years now. During that time he has had a calculated approach to business. That approach has helped him grow his business organically and with financial security. Moving to a new shop was a big undertaking for him and his business which is something we talk about amongst the interview on how he does what he does and where it all came from. Find out what Samuel has done to grow an amazing knife making business. Maybe you can too!Huge thank you to Samuel for sitting down and discussing his life and passion with everyone.Massive thank you to Martine Knife Supply for their ongoing support to the blacksmith community.Please visit @maritimeknifesupplyFor all your blacksmithing needs. Buy 10 belts and get one free! www.maritimeknifesupply.comwww.maritimeknifesupply.caWould also like to thank @bluemoonpress.pub for their extensive library on blacksmithing education.Big shout out to our friend @kindrat.forge.and.tool for supplying Canada with some of the best hammers a person could ask for. If you're in the market for a new hammer you won't be disappointed with a Kindrat Forge and Tool hammer. Suggested by the folks at Forge Side Chat is his Viking style cross peen. Go check out his page for more info.

Episode 170 with Will Vick of Edmonton, Alberta.This week Will Vick joins the podcast to discuss his ventures in blacksmithing. Starting as a hobby at a young age to now being a full time business, Will brings some interesting insight into what it takes to go full time as an aspirin blacksmith. Will and I had the pleasure of meeting at CanIron 14 this summer and we discussed the beauty of that. The importance these events play into our community is something we all cherish and for darn good reasons. Hear about that and lots more in this week's episode!.Hope you all enjoy! Feel free to reach out at any time with comments, questions or even suggestions. We love to hear from the listens so don't hesitate ok eh!Make sure to check out www.maritimeknifesupply.com for all your knife making supplies.Take advantage of their deal. When you buy 10 belts you get one free!We also recommend @bluemoonpress.pub for all your blacksmithing publications.

Episode 169 is going live on the feeds for everyone to enjoy and this week we are taking it one step further. You all asked for it and now you're getting it. In person. I. The shop. On YouTube! That's right folks. Forge Side Chat is hitting the tube. You can now watch and see first hand exactly what the heck we are talking about with some of the crazy stuff that comes up on the show.This week we are bringing Jim Kehler to the audience. Jim is a highly respected smith in the Manitoba area. He's been at this longer than I've been alive! With a formal education in blacksmithing and one of very few journeyman certifications in Canada Jim is a wealth of knowledge. His shop is one that I believe any and every blacksmith would be proud to work in. He has spent many hours as a smith working at some very large power hammers and also well versed in smaller intricate pieces.I can only hope that this new venture of Forge Side Chat brings everyone a higher level of education and entertainment. If you enjoy the youtube version please subscribe, like, comment, share, and even reach out to let me know if you think I could improve in any form or fashion.

Episode 168 with Jeremy Michaluk of JM Forge and Fab in Quesnel BC Canada Jeremey was on with episode 79 a couple years back. He has stayed very much in touch with me and thus we have grown to know each other a bit. I decided to invite him back on to go over where he has been at with things.

Episode 167 The Book of Deep Ish It's been over 20 years now since I first started to play with metal. 20 years since I found a passion for something that is bound to stick with me until I die. At least I hope that I can continue to do it that long. I know many of you also feel that way about working with metal. Just making things in general. Doesn't have to be metal right. What ever it is you make, we share a commonality with each other. A common thought process.Over 20 years I conceptualized the idea for a book. The Book of Deep Ish. While this has been simply a thought in the back of my head ever since, I have spent countless hours researching philosophy. Every waking moment I am constantly searching for new ideas and thoughts from others as to why everything is such as it is. Some of these conversations have already taken place on the podcast. I can only imagine more will come over time. In this episode I go solo and chat about some random stuff that I think might hit home for a few people out there. As much as it falls into something I would talk about in The Book of Deep Ish, it is also some very factual information that I believe the maker world can agree on. May you find this episode something you enjoy. If you do find this episode enjoyable please reach out and let me know.Much love yah hosersLando

Episode 166 with Randy McDaniel artist blacksmith, blacksmithing instructor and author of two highly recommended blacksmithing books. Randy's newest venture in life was the release of a fantasy fiction novel based on a young female's journey in the world of blacksmithing and dragons.Randy and I spoke about some very important aspects of blacksmithing using a hydraulic press as well as some interesting beginner topics.Randy is no stranger to blacksmithing with over 50 years in the trade! This is a man that you want to sit next to at the campfire during abana conferences. Randy is very well known on the circuit and has swung hammers with some very familiar names. Make sure you check out Randy's books. Available at www.bluemoonpress.orgAlso make sure to check out maritime knife supply for any of your knife making needs. Not only for knife makers you can find blacksmithing tools/supplies there as well. Best of all of you buy 10 2*72 sanding belts you get one for free!www.maritimeknifesupply.cawww.maritimeknifesupply.com

Episode 165 with Rebecka Jonasson, Wabi Sabi Maker, Black Raven Gallery (Tattoo artist)Located in Northern Sweden Rebecka brings a different twist on metal work to the show. The work she does is all scrap metal she sources in nature!I'll be honest, I didn't do my homework on this one as Rebecka and I have chatted back and forth for a few years now. This led to a rather interesting conversation and I think there are a couple hidden gems in this one for everyone. Huge thank you to Rebecka for coming on the show.Massive thank you to Maritime Knife Supply for supporting the show and making all of this possible.And thank you to our listeners for making this community one of the best out there.

Episode 164 with Katie Ford Artist Sculpture from Salt Spring Island.This week I sit down with Katie Ford to talk about her path in metal work. With a strong path into metal art this lady is producing some highly recognized pieces. She has worked with some amazing artists in her area as well as going to the artist program at the Kootenays college in Nelson BC. We get to hear about her current work with Jeri at Thistle Rock Forge and their joint venture with Finnback Forge where they are making forged cutlery.

Episode 163 with Nick Welsh from Twisted Steel Blacksmithing in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.Warning! This episode contains adult content and is not recommended for people under the age of 18! Nick has been busy running a knife making studio where he and his wife teach people how to make some really awesome knives. Alongside the Nick blacksmithing and knife making skills, his wife ensures the operation runs smoothly and keeps everyone fed with some amazing food during their classes. The business has grown to the point where he has an employee, River, that assists Nick on the shop floor. From simple recycled rasp knives to exotic Damascus blades these guys are doing it all and they're doing it well. To get an inside on how all that works take a listen!