Forge talk ignites blacksmithing sparks at the fair

COEUR d'ALENE — When shaping metal that's been heated up to almost 2,300 degrees, blacksmiths like Will Branson only have a short window of time to shape the metal into its intended shape before it cools too much to use.  

Whether he's forging a hammer, knife or metal rose, understanding how to achieve the end result is an important step Branson instills in his classes. 

“We want to make the knife for the way you’re going to use it,” he said. 

During a forging discussion at the North Idaho State Fair on Friday, the blacksmith from Athol Ironworks shared that he loves building and tinkering with things, whether it be working on a car or building his own home computer from scratch. 

The enchantment of forging eventually drew him in.   

“The sparks on the hammer on the anvil got me there,” Branson said. 

As one of two certified blacksmithing instructors in the area, Branson teaches safety from his home shop in Athol as much as he does technique. One piece of advice is to never use galvanized steel for forging because it emits hazardous fumes.  

Using different types of metal for a metalworked piece can create the coveted Damascus pattern after dipping the finished piece in acid. Shiny steel has a high nickel content that resists the acid etch and creates a dynamic pattern.    

One impressive specimen he has wrought from steel is a 26-pound hammer. Unfortunately, it swings with so much power that he’s had to limit what he forges with it because it can bend the legs on the anvil when he applies force to heated metal. 

“Blacksmiths work with steel but I’ve worked with aluminum and I’m hoping to get my hands on some titanium,” Branson said.  

Aluminum pieces are especially challenging because they don’t show their temperature the same way steel does.  

“Aluminum doesn’t have different colors and you only have 25-30 seconds to forge before the temp cools too quickly, otherwise you could be left with a puddle,” Branson said.  

He hopes to someday be able to experiment with forging with titanium.  

Teaching one-off and level one blacksmithing classes in the area, Branson said new students can come in for a couple hours and learn to craft their own metal rose or learn how to work with a railroad spike.  

The North Idaho State Fair continues through Sunday.

    Charles Vincent talks about his forging experiences at the North Idaho State Fair.
  

    Will Branson discussed forging knives from railroad spikes during a talk at the North Idaho State Fair.
  

    After bending the feet of his anvil while making metalwork pieces, blacksmith Will Branson had to stop using the 26-pound hammer he made. Branson and Charles Vincent spoke Friday to a small crowd at the North Idaho State Fair about forging.