Crooked Path Forge

I am Jordan Borstelmann, owner of Crooked Path Forge. My first experience smithing was a 2 week beginners course in 2004 at the Penland School of Crafts. I then apprenticed for a year, under blacksmith, Yaw Owusu Shangofemi, from 2008 to 2009. I didn’t acquire my own shop to work from until 2010. I began taking the craft seriously in 2010, and have been learning what skills I can ever since.   I have always been fascinated with tools, how they work, and why they are the shape that they are. The creative process starts with the tools you use to hammer your steel to shape, with the punches and chisels, and vises and anvils with which you manipulate the metal. The smith doesn't just apply paint to the canvas, they get to make the brush that applies that paint. To me that adds an extra layer to my work and my art. It allows a level of uniqueness and originality that cannot be obtained any other way.