Coal. Fire. Blower. Steel. Hammer. Anvil. No open-toed high heels, please.
Because of ear-piercing pings and ringing echoes, you might also want to consider wearing ear plugs during a two-day women's beginning blacksmith course this weekend. Hosted by the Cowboy Forge Blacksmith Shop just east of Mancos on County Road J.9 Loop, the course is held June 13-14. The workshop starts both days at 8 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m.
Led by one-man blacksmith shop owner Steve Williams, participants can expect to get their hands dirty. The workshop covers basic forging techniques, joinery, forge welding, riveting, collars, mortise and tenon and various types of finishes. Part of the 2015 Mancos School of the West Series, the course costs $300 per person.
In addition to earplugs and closed-toed shoes, participants are strongly urged to wear long pants, clear safety glasses and leather gloves. Blacksmith materials are provided.
Blacksmithing 101
The blacksmith process starts with a coal fire. A blower helps to raise the temperature to about 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which softens the metal for shaping.
Once the steel is red-hot, the metal is forged with a hammer and anvil. The heating process is repeated, and scroll tongs are sometimes used. After applying more heat, a vise is often employed to twist the glowing hot metal into its final shape.
Meet the instructor
Born and raised on a ranch in Southwest Colorado, Williams worked as a heavy-equipment operator for 15 years after graduating high school. Looking for change, he completed Frank Turley's basic blacksmithing course in Santa Fe, where he learned traditional smithing techniques using the forge and anvil. Williams then apprenticed with Mike Boone in Dolores, where he worked for two years, followed by four-year apprenticeship under Rod Pickett in Durango.
Williams opened his own blacksmith shop in 2002. His ornamental ironwork includes tables, triple braided mirrors, coat racks, decorative cabinet knobs and handles, hat racks, towel rings and even toilet paper holders.
Other Mancos School of the West courses starting this month include basic stained glass, stitchery for the quilter and a leather necklace workshop. For more, including online registration, visit www.schoolofthewest.org.
