BESPOKE IRON
BY
MARTIN WOOD

 

Why do I forge? To create something unique that lasts in a throwaway world - and to share in the story it carries.

 

I first picked up a blacksmith’s hammer in 2010 and was instantly fascinated by the way metal moves when heated in a forge. Over the years that followed, I immersed myself in learning the craft - first as a hobby, and now as a career - combining hands-on courses and lectures with countless hours of self-study, always with the goal of starting my own business.

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By 2015, as social media began to flourish, I launched an Instagram account to share my work. That online community became a gateway for inspiration and friendships with blacksmiths and makers from around the world. One of the most formative experiences came in 2017, when I travelled to the United States for a sculpture workshop. While there, I met several blacksmiths I had first connected with online - turning digital friendships into real-world ones. Many of those connections have lasted to this day, and we’ve met up on several occasions since, each time inspiring and challenging one another in our craft.

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For me, forging is about connection - to the material, the process, and the people who bring each piece into their lives. Whether it’s a bespoke gate, a custom hook, or a fire poker, every design begins with steel and fire, and ends in your hands.​​

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I’m usually in the shop with Maggie, my border terrier and unofficial quality control officer, who takes her role very seriously (especially when it involves treat inspections).​