Tom Wolfe
“It’s the limitless possibilities of what you can do with iron, anvil, and tireless toil” that provides the inspiration for Tom Wolfe’s functional metal work for the home and garden. Steel is the primary material with aluminum, copper and brass incorporated as design elements.
Born in Great Falls, Montana, Tom has long had a fascination with changes that can be wrought in steel’s shape, texture and cross-section when heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. After 30 years as head of Montana States University’s Farrier School, Tom’s interest in traditional blacksmithing has broadened from practical and therapeutic horseshoeing to creating functional art. “Work, accompanied by good blues music, sets the tempo” for Tom Wolfe’s metal work.
How did Tom transition from horseshoeing to bowls, bookends and birdbaths? “Making anything in the forge involves the same basic steps. It’s the order in which you apply the steps and the manner in which you use the anvil that determines whether you end up with a horseshoe or a gate at the National Cathedral.
“It’s very rewarding to use fire, anvil, hammer and tongs and, through subtle manipulation of hot steel, a vision takes shape.” Tom focuses the use of traditional blacksmithing techniques. Joinery is rivets, collars, mortise and tenon and forge-welds. Applying these techniques, Tom’s intent is to forge items that serve a purpose, are pleasing to the eye, and invite touch.
Born in Great Falls, Montana, Tom has long had a fascination with changes that can be wrought in steel’s shape, texture and cross-section when heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. After 30 years as head of Montana States University’s Farrier School, Tom’s interest in traditional blacksmithing has broadened from practical and therapeutic horseshoeing to creating functional art. “Work, accompanied by good blues music, sets the tempo” for Tom Wolfe’s metal work.
How did Tom transition from horseshoeing to bowls, bookends and birdbaths? “Making anything in the forge involves the same basic steps. It’s the order in which you apply the steps and the manner in which you use the anvil that determines whether you end up with a horseshoe or a gate at the National Cathedral.
“It’s very rewarding to use fire, anvil, hammer and tongs and, through subtle manipulation of hot steel, a vision takes shape.” Tom focuses the use of traditional blacksmithing techniques. Joinery is rivets, collars, mortise and tenon and forge-welds. Applying these techniques, Tom’s intent is to forge items that serve a purpose, are pleasing to the eye, and invite touch.