Chris Topp’s Forge-In

First up, allow me to clarify exactly what a “forge-in” is. Forge-ins are events when blacksmiths get together in each other’s workshops and hammer metal, often before drinking beer and camping overnight. The following morning the process is repeated… It is, however, also a great chance to network and talk about clients and commissions and to check out each other’s power hammers. There are also often structured forge competitions during the weekend.

You can find forge-ins promoted by the British Artist Blacksmiths Association in their monthly e-newsletters or quarterly magazines.

Just last week Chris Topp held a forge-in at his extensive North Yorkshire workshop. Chris has a very large shop which employs at least ten smiths and is renowned for outstanding work, both in mild steel and wrought iron. Check out his website to find out more http://www.toppandco.com/

John Pearcy, Doug Hill and Owen Moran from our second year headed up to North Yorkshire for the weekend to get involved and returned having had a great time. They had got involved in the forge competition- working together to create a piece and had a go at forging with wrought iron. They also met lots of interesting people, including a number of French apprentice blacksmiths.

Del