By Karen Tappendorf
Have you ever wanted to bend metal to your will? Would you enjoy being around people who share this desire? An exciting solution is to learn blacksmithing at the Vista Forge at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum (AGSEM) in Vista, California.
Blacksmithing classes have been taught at the Vista Forge for 40 years. They have classes ranging from beginner “Level 101” to advanced “Level III” to fuel your desire to learn how to forge metal. Classes can be taken on most weekends and Thursday nights. These classes begin at teaching you how to start and maintain a coal forge, fire safety and they walk you through step-by-step projects to try your hand at this ancient craft. If you would like to continue being challenged you can then take more advanced classes and learn to make useful and decorative pieces, and to learn classic blacksmithing techniques for both tool making and architectural ironwork.
Blacksmithing is the art of forging metal using fire, and tools like a hammer and an anvil to make metal objects, like steak turners, scrolls, hammers, and more. The name “black” in blacksmith refers to iron, which turns black when heated and exposed to oxygen. The origin of “smith” is debated, but probably comes from the Old English word smythe, meaning “to strike.” Vista Forge is the local place to learn about the once thriving trade of blacksmithing that declined in the wake of the industrial era.
We hope to see you at Vista Forge at AGSEM located at 2040 N Santa Fe Ave., Vista, California 92083.https://www.agsem.com/
