Sounds of hammers ring in ancient art

All types of tool stands, coal and propane forges were set up under a tent behind Valler's Coffee Roastery in Lincoln for the Northern Rockies Blacksmiths Association (NRBA) Conference on Sept. 15-17.

Twenty people from Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota gathered for the conference. The NRBA is part of the Artists Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA). ABANA developed a three-level accreditation program in 2015 for a nationally recognized blacksmithing curriculum.

"Blacksmiths become their own designers and metallurgists," NRBA chapter president Kermit Indreland said. "When I wanted to make an iris, I used my vision of the iris to figure out what tools I needed to use. Then I made three tools to make the iris."

Some participants began their blacksmithing journey at the conference with level one skills while seasoned blacksmiths worked on other skills or built an architecturally designed iron garden gate that will be auctioned off.

Level One requires the fabrication of 13 punches and hand tools to be used in making a specific gate latch pattern. All the tools and gate latch are then submitted to the advisory committee to check for confirmation to the stated standards.

It is expected to take a novice blacksmith about 6 months to complete Level One.

"When my dad was in High School in 1940 in eastern Montana, blacksmithing was part of the trade classes," Indreland, said. "The railroad was always hiring metalworkers, and farmer's used blacksmithing in their day-to-day life."

The nonprofit NRBA supports and encourages the continued professional development of working smiths, the budding skills of those new to the pursuit and the interest and education of the general public in this ancient and fascinating craft.

"We're trying to get all the information online so people all across the country can participate," said Russ Everts, Education Program head. "I just finished teaching a blacksmithing class on Zoom."

Groups like NRBA can foster the art primarily by holding conferences at a member's shop, and inviting a skilled craftsman to demonstrate their specialties.

"My shop here in Lincoln is set up to be a work center for blacksmiths," Jason Valler, conference host, said. "If someone wants to work on a skill or practice we can set that up." http://www.VallerRoasting.com

The nuances of blacksmithing, including choosing types of metal and designing projects, were discussed throughout the conference.

"I'm hoping for a full time hobby with blacksmithing. I love creative crafting," Muriel Kelley, Level One participant said. "Blacksmithing brings you back to the basics of connecting with an ancient craft. The community has been so welcoming. It's inspiring."

The NRBA holds two conferences every year at various locations around the Montana, Idaho and Wyoming area, normally the third weekend in May and the third weekend in September. Interested people can contact Jason at http://www.VallerRoasting.com

ABANA blacksmithing technique videos can be found on YouTube.