A far north Queensland blacksmith is pivoting his business after a surge in interest from people wanting to learn the ancient trade.
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, blacksmith Alex Byrne started The Homestead Forge 10 years ago down a country lane in Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands.
The self-taught artisan initially sold his work at markets until he noticed increased demand from others keen to make their own bespoke metal creations.
"Since I first started exhibiting my metalwork at the local markets, people have been asking me to teach them how to make something special … next month we are nearly booked out," he said
A blacksmith is a specialist metalworker who manipulates metal into items such as gates, furniture, tools, decorative ornaments, utensils and weapons.
Mr Byrne said he was overwhelmed — and surprised — at the level of interest to learn the skill in weekend workshops.
"Over 60 per cent of the people signing up have been women which was surprising. We have also had a strong interest from teenagers but only one or two blokes which really surprised me," he said.
"Maybe the blokes don't turn up because they don't want to be shown about by the females.
"We also get a lot of the teenagers who have been watching metal forging videos on YouTube and they want to come along and have a go."
The return of the blacksmith
Interest in blacksmithing has rippled wider than Mr Byrne's workshop over the past few years.
TAFE Queensland reintroduced its official blacksmith apprenticeship in January 2020 after years of only offering boiler maker courses.
Martin Geddes, the only qualified teacher of blacksmith skills at TAFE Queensland, said increased demand for blacksmiths was coming from industry and artisans.
"Manufacturers across Australia told us that they require people with those old traditional skills, so we reintroduced the blacksmith title and apprenticeship at TAFE Queensland," he said.
"There are three core skills taught during the blacksmith apprenticeship: hand forging, power hammer work and hardening and tempering."
But he said the strongest interest was from those looking to have a bit of fun and learn the basics.
"There are still industrial blacksmiths around but by far the largest group is what we call hobbysmiths," he said.
"They are doing local courses, are engaged in blacksmith groups and they spend a lot of time in front of an anvil trying to learn what that old trade was about."
Blacksmiths in the making
Atherton woman Cath Ireland, who took part in a workshop at Mr Byrne's forge, said it was empowering learning new skills after being rejected for apprenticeships when she was younger.
"For a long time, we were told we weren't allowed to do jobs like this because we were women," Ms Ireland said.
"I had one gentleman tell me he wouldn't take me on as an apprentice spray painter and panel beater because he would be laughed out of town.
"I was also told I wouldn't be hired as a French polisher because I was a girl, I was also told the same thing about being a truck driver."
Ms Ireland has previously worked with wood and other materials but is new to creating with metal.
"I learnt a lot about metal and forges, I didn't realise how metal is such a poor conductor of heat," she said.
"A lot of force is required when you hit it with a hammer, even when it is glowing hot."
Ms Ireland is now hoping to learn more about blacksmithing.
"It's a fascinating skill and it is one of those arts that has been lost," she said.
"Weekends like this are great and I'm now looking at going back and doing another workshop."
Teenager Bryn Wilson, who has been dropping into The Forge after school for the last year, agreed.
"I've been learning metalwork and blacksmithing, I get to use the forge and the hammers and make some cool art," the 13-year-old said.
"My favourite part is when you have a finished product that you can use."
