Blacksmiths Gather to See, Hear, Teach, and Learn

Hammers rang on anvils, and the air smelled of forging as the California Blacksmith Association held their Annual Spring Conference in Hollister, California. Billed this year as the Western States Conference instead of just California, blacksmiths came from all over the U.S. and beyond to share knowledge and techniques.

Daily hands-on workshops were led by ABANA‘s (The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America) top instructors while workshops were held on topics such as power hammer repair and retrofitting, crafting flat jaw tongs, best forge practices, forge welding, and a myriad of techniques for becoming a more skillful blacksmith. After dinner each evening the workshop area, equipped with several forges, anvils, vices, and fuel, was available for Open Forge time which lasted until well after midnight.

A weekend-long contest had teams competing in three-hour blocks on the theme of “Plasticity.” The contest pieces were later auctioned off to support the event which brings in world-class blacksmith demonstrators from all over the world, as well as shipping in their equipment. The event was capped off Saturday evening by a banquet where the newest instructors, journeymen, and apprentices were honored along with the long-standing giants in the CBA community.

Mark Aspery demonstrates techniques.

A blacksmith practices in the workshop area after a demo.

A blacksmith works on his project with the help of a young assistant.

These two blacksmiths work during Open Forge.

These two blacksmiths work during Open Forge.

Gerald Boggs demonstrates techniques.

Demonstrating techniques in working copper materials.

A team of top-notch blacksmiths labored for days on this peace dove.

The finished peace dove was auctioned off to support the event.

Demonstrating techniques of glazing copper and applying heat to distort the glaze colors.

The Nail Tree is a long-running tradition. Make your own nail, add it to the tree.

A blacksmith shows off the nail he intends to place in the Nail Tree.

Mark Krause speaks about the art of power hammer repair and maintenance.

Blacksmiths gather during talks on techniques.

A team from Mountain Forge in Truckee competes in the “Plasticity” competition.

Angle grinding on this piece to hone the edge.

The next generation of blacksmiths worked on their own projects during the Open Forge.

A blacksmith works on his project during Open Forge.

A blacksmith works on her project during Open Forge.

Ben Abbott works during Open Forge.

A blacksmith works on her project during Open Forge.

Hansi Standteiner of Mountain Forge in Truckee works during Open Forge with his son.

The next generation of blacksmiths worked on their own projects during the Open Forge.

A blacksmith admires his work after applying a protective wax coating.