Once a dying trade, the ancient skill of blacksmithing is undergoing a modern revival as homeowners and hobbyists drive demand for custom-made metal art.With origins dating back as far as 1,500BC, blacksmithing involves the heating of metal rods before pounding and shaping them into objects such as tools, furniture, gates and even weapons.At Toowoomba in southern Queensland, blacksmithing has been in the Killalea family’s blood for more than a century.Leighton Killalea was 10 years old when he began dabbling in the craft at his great-grandfather’s blacksmith shop on a property south of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
“I taught myself on a charcoal forge and had a great time,” Mr Killalea remembered.”I didn’t really know what I was doing but managed to get through without hurting or burning myself too many times.” Fifty years on and a few extra scars later, Mr Killalea still uses those very same tools to create modern-day masterpieces.He said he was still using a lot of his great-grandfather’s equipment.”The whole idea is a blacksmith repairs his equipment … you make your own gear.” Mr Killalea’s handiwork is on display at Toowoomba’s old courthouse.
Weeks were spent forging its handmade gates and front fence to complement the building’s heritage aesthetic.Mr Killalea’s reputation spans far and wide, with commissions for his work coming from across Australia and as far away as Japan.
These days, it’s deep-pocketed homeowners keeping his backyard business going round the clock, with requests for bespoke pieces like iron balustrades and gates, door handles and window casings for their heritage-listed homes.”The last thing my clients want is parts that come from a catalogue and are welded together,” Mr Killalea said.”The problem is that becomes like a cookie-cutter house … people have seen it all before.” The future of the family’s tradition is looking strong, with Mr Killalea’s son Isaac scaling back on his full-time technology gig a year ago to sharpen his blade skills with his father.”I studied for a number of years in software before I decided to pick up the family business because you spend an entire day just typing away at the computer,” Isaac said.”Your mind would be exhausted, but your body would be like I’ve just been sitting in a chair all day.”With iron work, you’re working with your hands.
“Even when you’re doing the same job, it never comes out the same way and that’s the joy and that’s very satisfying.” It’s noisy, hot and dirty work, but Isaac said he was determined to keep the family tradition going.”You don’t want to see all these tools and craft go to waste, so I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to do it,” he said.The Queensland Professional Farriers and Blacksmiths Association says it has seen a growing trend in the craft, with many of its farriers (smiths who specialise in equine hoof care) and blacksmiths wanting to expand their skills.Former president Bruce Donaldson said people were prepared to pay a lot of money for unique blacksmithing work.
“When you get something made by a talented blacksmith it’s a one off and it will last forever,” he said.”They used to say blacksmiths sat on the right side of the king or queen because if you didn’t have a blacksmith you didn’t have anything.” Amateurs also want to test their “metal”.A short drive across Toowoomba at the Cobb and Co Museum, blacksmithing is the most sought-after with its weekend project workshop sold out until November.Champion blacksmith Terry Drennan has been teaching the trade to metal-making enthusiasts at the museum for more than 30 years.Now retired, Mr Drennan once worked as a farrier for Bart Cummings and shod 1979 Melbourne Cup Winner Hyperno.
He said the museum had ramped up weekend classes to cope with the demand during the pandemic.”When COVID restrictions were going on, we were running classes nearly every weekend because there was a backlog,” he said.Community demand for the craft has led to the museum introducing an additional workshop for teens and another on knife and axe making.Mr Drennan said it wasn’t just men who were intrigued by the sound of metal on metal.”Back in the 80s, you barely saw a woman come in, but now it’s quite frequent,” he said.
It’s a trend that’s growing elsewhere too.The Australian Blacksmiths Association in Victoria advertises Doris Days every second Saturday, when male members are respectfully asked not to attend.
Now in his 35th year with the museum, Mr Drennan’s passion for blacksmithing is far from over.”It keeps me going … I enjoy helping people and seeing people enjoy what they’re doing,” he said..