Blacksmithing: An Old Trade That Has Seen a Renewed Interest As An Art (VIDEO)

Blacksmithing is an activity that most people don't think about very often, and when they do it's usually in the context of another time period, but for blacksmithing enthusiasts in Alabama, it's a regular part of life, according to USA Today.

Wiregrass Forge is a monthly gathering of blacksmith enthusiasts that has the most active club, or forge, in Alabama. The monthly meetings are held at forges belonging to different club members. These meetings also focus on a demonstration in a specific discipline of blacksmithing.

This particular meeting is no different. Steve Lowry made a tool that would have been made during the Civil War era and could be used as an instrument that could hold a metal coffee pot over a fire.

"Neat as all get out," a spectator said.

There is something personally fulfilling about taking a scrap of metal and turning it into a practical instrument, according to Cliff Ohlenburger, a forge master.

"You can start hammering a piece of hot steel, and it won't take you long until you forget everything else," Ohlenburger told USA Today. "And not just that, but how wonderful is it for you to make gifts for someone that's handmade instead of just going out and buying something."

During the meetings, members show their creations, including bowls, tongs, knives and more complicated items such as fountains.

Many of the retired Wiregrass Forge members are retired Army aviators, though according to Ohlenburger, members come from all different backgrounds with varying interest levels.

Bob Portman, the host of this particular meeting, became active in blacksmithing after inheriting an anvil from his grandfather more than 25 years ago. A resurgence in blacksmithing seems to have accompanied a renewed interested in do-it-yourself projects. Many have now become dedicated to keeping the art of it alive.

The Artists Blacksmiths' Association of North America (ABANA) formed in 1973 with 27 members and today has over 4,000 members.

BBC Report on the art of blacksmithing.