West Nottinghamshire College students stepped back into one of Britain’s oldest trades this week as a visiting blacksmith brought the heat, noise and craftsmanship of a traditional forge to the college’s engineering campus.
Level 1 Fabrication and Welding student Niks Gadiskis shapes the metal watched by Graham.
Fabrication and welding students were given the chance to try their hand at blacksmithing when Huthwaite-based craftsman Graham Davison, founder of Hillbilly Forge, visited the campus with his mobile forge, anvil and tools.
Students learned traditional techniques before creating their own bottle top openers from heated steel, gaining a practical insight into a trade that once played a vital role in communities across the country.
Hammer work creates the desired shape of the hot metal.
Graham, who runs Hillbilly Forge with his wife Emily, turned his passion for blacksmithing into a full-time business after more than 20 years working in retail for music brand HMV.
He said: “I started this as a hobby about 10 years ago, but as all hobbies do, it got more and more expensive, so I had to monetise it to keep going. It’s just organically grown over that time to where now both me and my wife work full-time in the business.
“We produce a wide range of items, from historical and Viking-inspired pieces to cookware, sculptures and commissions for restaurants. Social media has been massive for us because people from all over the world see the videos of our work.”
Graham has turned his hobby into a business that he loves.
Graham’s handcrafted products have attracted international attention, with pieces shipped across the globe, including to Alaska and the Arctic Circle. His work has also featured in television productions and celebrity kitchens.
Graham also produces practical items such as this fireside set.
He added: “Jamie Oliver bought some of our skewers for his television programme and we’ve supplied work to productions like Outlander and Universal Studios through our Etsy shop.
“It’s amazing where blacksmithing can take you. I think I’ve now got work on every major continent.”
Some of the more decorative items that Graham creates.
During the workshop, Graham demonstrated the techniques used to shape hot metal before students stepped up to the anvil themselves.
“One of the fundamental things with blacksmithing is learning how to elongate the stock and taper it,” he said. “It’s a really good project for students because it teaches hammer control and how steel flows into shape.
Graham by his anvil.
“The great thing about heritage skills is that there’s no single right or wrong design. If it looks good, feels good in your hand and does the job it was intended to do, then it’s right. The piece they make today could last a lifetime.”
Graham has a mobile furnace which gets the metal to the right temperature for shaping.
Graham’s wife Emily, who manages the business’s sales, customer service and social media, said the couple were encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by young people interested in traditional crafts.
She said: “This is the first time we’ve come into a college environment to demonstrate blacksmithing and the students have been really eager to have a go and ask questions.
“There’s definitely growing interest in traditional crafts, especially through artisan events and television programmes that showcase handmade skills. We’re often the only blacksmiths at smaller events, but every blacksmith has their own style and techniques – you can recognise them by their work, just like any artist.”
Graham's wife Emily, who works on the marketing of the business.
She added: “We do lots of decorative but functional pieces, from fireside tools and cookware to Viking-inspired jewellery and historical items. Everything is made to be used and built to last.”
Level 1 Fabrication and Welding student Niks Gadiskis was among those who took part in the session and created a bottle top opener.
He said: “It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. I made a bottle opener and did all the bends and shaping myself.
“I think it’s important to keep skills like this going because without blacksmiths we wouldn’t have lots of the tools and decorative metalwork we still use today.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching blacksmithing videos online, so it’s definitely something I’d like to explore more in the future alongside engineering and welding.”
The tradition of placing the hot metal in bees wax gives it a darker colour.
Senior consultant in employer engagement Gregg Thompson had the pleasure of meeting Graham at local business network group, where he suggested that he visited the college to demonstrate his skills to students.
Gregg said: “This really was a fantastic session, with plenty of learner engagement, real enthusiasm, and perhaps even a few new passions forged into career paths that hadn’t previously been considered.
“A huge thank you to Graham and Emily for giving our learners such an inspiring experience.”
Students and staff enjoyed the practical demonstration by blacksmith Graham.