Randy Wootton of the Four States Iron Munchers BlacksmithAssociation (4SIMBA) of Texarkana is showing the table of knives he makes. He’s meeting the pubic at the Cullen Baker Country Fair in Bloomburg.
Iron Munchers seek to educate public
The blacksmiths at Cullen Baker Country Fair recently spent as much time demonstrating the craft to youth and elementary age onlookers, as they did with the adults.
The Four State Iron Munchers Blacksmith Association wants to educate the public.
“We’re trying to keep the blacksmith alive,” said Randy Wootton of the association that makes its home in Texarkana and meets monthly to share the art of fabrication with iron.
“We teach blacksmithing and rules of the forge, and we do this for the young and old,” he continued. “Some are really into the the art of iron works for homes. Others may just want to repair or make something. It’s all good work.”
Wootton calls the association a club. He himself is into the creation of quality knives.
“We want to work with anyone who has an interest in learning blacksmithing.”
The munchers have some 15 to 20 members, Wootton said, and they meet on the third Saturday of the month from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The location is 1402 Trexler Road, Texarkana.
“We just want the public to know we’re here and if someone wants something special to be made, call us. We’re the iron munchers.”
Of course, the blacksmiths have the room and locations for those who are powerful and can produce major works of metal with their anvils, hammers and forge. But blacksmithing also involves creating works of beauty and elegance.
The telephone to reach the iron munchers shop is 903-792-1982. A member’s home is 903-8384144.
Otherwise, one will be able to see the Four States Iron Munchers Association in several of area festivals and workshops. They attend festivals and workshops as a way of meeting the public to show others how to get around a smithy. They enjoy going out and demonstrating the art of the forge.
“It’s hobby for most of us. We don’t make a living at it,” Wootton said.
And then the local blacksmiths turned their attention back to the crowd. They made an effort to smile at the public and invited someone to hold a hammer or turn the air pump that was building the fire.