Blacksmiths keep ‘dying art’ alive
RICES LANDING – What some describe as a lost art came alive Saturday in the W.A. Young Machine Shop and Foundry, as some of the most talented blacksmiths demonstrated their skills at the 18th annual hammer-in and auction. “Some say this is a dying art, but it’s being revived in this country,” said blacksmith Chuck Hughes of Ohio.
Visitors from all over Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio came together to share their passion for the art.
George Pavletic, Bob Stone, Gary Grandstaff and Bill Fugate demonstrated how raw metals – with a little skill, talent and heat – can be transformed into works of art.
“It’s really something to see rough pieces of metal turned into a thing of beauty,” said Marty Reisig of Ohio.
Demonstrators made mantle lights, candle holders and dinner bells from steel under temperatures of 1,400 to 1,412 degrees.
“It’s hot. It’s dirty, but it’s enjoyable,” said Roy Price of Aliquippa, a blacksmith for 12 years, who had a hunting knife and other items he crafted on display.
Not as many people attended the hammer-in this year as in years past, according to Price, but the event attracted blacksmiths of all experience levels.
Raymond Rybar of Finleyville, who is said to make some of the finest masters knifes, said blacksmiths attend hammer-ins “to share information with others and to add to your own skill.”
He said being a blacksmith takes dedication, knowledge and talent.
“You won’t do it without having a gift,” he said.
The old W.A. Young Machine Shop and Foundry was the perfect place to celebrate the age-old art of blacksmithing. Those who attended were impressed with the old shop, which still has its original milling machines, lathes and foundries.
Reisig said the “uniqueness” of the old shop “just added something to the demonstrations.”
“People love coming here. This place is like a museum. It has all its old machinery,” said Jim Campbell, one of the original founders of the Pittsburgh Area Artistic Blacksmith Association (PAABA).
The annual hammer-in was sponsored in conjunction with PAABA, Greene County Historical Society and the Appalachian Blacksmith Association out of Clarksburg, W.Va.
The PAABA will participate in a similar event Saturday and Sunday at the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington. Campbell said people from all over the country will attend.