HARVESTING THE FIRE

Dave has been a working blacksmith for nearly 20 years.

 

He has taken his skills across the world, often trading using his forge skills to move on or stay longer in areas.

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Now knowing many different styles and techniques from country to country and having worked in many different situations from top end workshop to primitive set ups.

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His broad abilities enable him to create beautiful pieces anywhere from very little.
Both a traditional and contemporary blacksmith blending old techniques with modern to form unique one off pieces.

 

He trained at the world famous blacksmithing college in Hereford, UK, where he gained a full National Diploma in Blackmithing and Metalwork. Whilst at the college, Dave won a number of awards, including Blacksmith Apprentice of the Year at the Royal Welsh Show, where he also won First and Third Prizes for individual pieces. His chair was selected to stand in the college's reception area for several years as a sample of the fine work produced by students there.

He won a Bronze Award from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for high standards in his work, and the Company also awarded him a grant to help continue his studies.

Dave has worked on items for the Eden Project and, working along side blacksmith Mark Lumley, smithed internationally selling pieces and a range of award winning furniture for Soane of Pimlico, London.

 

Two years spent in Ireland, firstly learning about Permaculture at Kinsale (where he earned a distinction) then working alongside blacksmiths and at Future Forests in West Cork gave him further insight into the relationships between natural products and well designed metalwork.

 

Dave now travels to events in many parts of the country with his mobile demonstration forge.