Steve Williams The Cowboy Blacksmith

Steve Williams can take the heat. He’s been shaping iron as hot as 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit for nearly 30 years. But, like many modern blacksmiths in the United States, it wasn’t his first career path. In the 1990s, it was a dead profession, relegated to the annals of history following the Industrial Revolution. That’s what Williams thought, at least.

“Cowboying wasn’t working out,” Williams recalled. “I loved metalworking, so I did some research into blacksmithing, which I thought was dead at the time.”

Williams’ research led him to Turley Forge Blacksmithing School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, Williams would learn the fundamental pieces like fasteners, tools, and blades.

As Williams’ skills sharpened, he recognized the need to fire up his own forge. He did just that in 2004 with the Cowboy Forge, located in Mancos, Colorado. It was a little shop then, Williams said, with just enough room for essentials like a forge, anvil, vice, and welding rig. Williams would put the knowledge he gained in school to good use, hand-forging nearly all the tools that now line his shop’s walls.

Williams has created different architectural metalworks like wrought iron staircase railings, doorknobs, and towel rings. If it can be forged, Williams has probably made it at some point in his career, infusing the works with his own cowboy flair – nearly all of them bearing his signature rope twist or square knots. He’s also crafted large signature pieces.

“I once created a piece for a homeowner looking to decorate this 22-foot mounted rock wall in their house,” Williams said. “So, I crafted an aspen tree wall relief. I hand-crafted the tree trunks, branches, and 800 individual leaves.”

Because of his attention to detail, many local interior decorators and custom home builders now use his works in their designs. The forge’s opening would be a benefit for the local economy, too: most of the fuel and materials his forge uses are either locally sourced or upcycled.

Coincidentally, Williams started his business just as the blacksmithing industry boomed. The renewed interest in the trade led Williams to begin taking on students.

“I love working with students,” Williams said. “I love seeing their enthusiasm,

by Ben Brewer

Photos by Ryan Nott

to see them make something, and the excitement they have when it comes together for them. I learn from them, too.”

At his forge, Williams plays the role of craftsman and teacher effortlessly. He doesn’t consider himself a master quite yet, but, according to him, that’s not the point.

“I found what I wanted to do, and I enjoy the heck out of it,” Williams said. “It’s amazing to watch metal move when it’s hot. You can take something cold and hard and make it warm and soft. You can shape it like clay and maneuver it around. It’s something else.”

When asked how long he intended to ply his trade, he gave a wry smile. “Till I’m dead!”