The ancient skill of blacksmithing, which was once a dying trade, is experiencing a modern renaissance as owners and hobbyists drive the demand for bespoke metal art.
With origins dating back to 1,500 BC, blacksmithing involves heating metal bars before chopping them and shaping objects such as tools, furniture, doors and even weapons.
In Toowoomba, South Queensland, the smithy has been in the blood of the Killalea family for over a century.
Leighton and Isaac Killalea light the forge. (ABC Southern Qld: Tania Scherf)
Leighton Killalea was 10 years old when he began practicing handicrafts at his great-grandfather’s smithy on a property south of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
“I taught myself in a coal forge and I had a great time,” Killalea recalled.
“I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I managed to get through without getting hurt or burned too many times.”
Leighton Killalea’s skill can be seen in her home with her custom iron ladder. (ABC Southern Qld: Tania Scherf)
Keep it in the family
Fifty years later and a few more scars later, Killalea still uses these same tools to create contemporary masterpieces.
He said he still used a lot of his great-grandfather’s equipment.
“The idea is for a blacksmith to repair his equipment … you make your own equipment.”
Mr. Killalea’s work is on display in the old Toowoomba courthouse.
Weeks spent forging its handmade doors and front fence to complement the building’s heritage aesthetic.
The Killalea create bespoke creations from their home business in Toowoomba. (ABC Southern Qld: Tania Scherf)
The reputation of Mr. Killalea spreads everywhere, with commissions for her work from Australia and as far away as Japan.
These days, deep pocket owners keep their backyard business up all day, with requests for custom pieces such as railings and iron doors, door handles and windows for their heritage homes.
“The last thing my clients want are pieces that come from a catalog and are welded together,” Killalea said.
“The problem is, it’s becoming a cookie-cutter house … people’ve seen it all before.”
Moving on
The future of the family tradition looks strong, with Mr. Killalea’s son Isaac reducing his full-time tech job a year ago to hone his skills with his father.
“I studied software for a few years before I decided to take up the family business so I could spend an entire day typing on the computer,” Isaac said.
“Your mind would be exhausted, but your body would be like sitting in a chair all day.
“With iron work, you are working with your hands.
“Even when you’re doing the same job, it never comes out the same way and that’s the joy and that’s very satisfying.”
A blacksmith who works with heated metal. (ABC South East NSW: Vanessa Milton)
It’s a noisy, hot, dirty job, but Isaac said he was determined to keep the family tradition alive.
“You don’t want to see all these tools and crafts being wasted, so I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to do that,” he said.
The Queensland Professional Farriers and Blacksmiths Association says it has seen a growing trend in the craft, with many of its blacksmiths (blacksmiths specializing in equine hoof care) and blacksmiths wanting to expand their skills.
Former President Bruce Donaldson said people were willing to pay a lot of money for a unique blacksmith job.
“When you get something done by a talented blacksmith, it’s a unique thing and it will last forever,” he said.
“They said blacksmiths sat on the right side of the king or queen because if you didn’t have a blacksmith you didn’t have anything.”
Attractive for fans
Terry Drennan has been exhibiting his blacksmith skills at the museum since 1987. (Supplied by: Cobb and Co Museum Toowoomba)
Fans also want to try their “metal”.
A short drive from Toowoomba to the Cobb and Co Museum, the blacksmith shop is in high demand with its weekend project workshop sold out until November.
Champion blacksmith Terry Drennan has been teaching the craft to metal fabrication enthusiasts at the museum for over 30 years.
Now retired, Mr. Drennan once worked as a blacksmith for Bart Cummings and had the winner of the 1979 Melbourne Cup Hyperno.
He said the museum had increased weekend classes to meet demand during the pandemic.
“When there were COVID restrictions, we had classes almost every weekend because there was a delay,” he said.
A craft for everyone
Community demand for handicrafts has led the museum to introduce an additional workshop for teenagers and another on knife and ax making.
Drennan said not only were men intrigued by the sound of metal over metal.
Terry Drennan teaches Murray Scrivenor the tricks of the trade. (ABC Southern Queensland: Tania Scherf)
“In the’ 80s, you could barely see a woman coming in, but now it’s pretty common, ”she said.
It is a trend that is also growing elsewhere.
The Australian Blacksmiths Association of Victoria announces Doris’ days every second Saturday, when male members are respectfully asked not to attend.
Now in his 35th year at the museum, Mr. Drennan’s passion for blacksmithing is far from over.
“It keeps me going … I like to help people and see that people enjoy what they’re doing,” he said.
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