IronShepherdForge

Iron Shepherd Forge

Albuquerque, New Mexico 92 Sales On Etsy since 2014

5 out of 5 stars (26)

IronShepherdForge

Iron Shepherd Forge

Albuquerque, New Mexico | 92 Sales

5 out of 5 stars (26)

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Iron Shepherd Forge

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Iron Shepherd Forge

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92 Sales
127 Admirers
 

Announcement    I fought fire for twenty years, now I create with it. I am a one-man operation with a need to create wonderful things from steel.

Announcement

Last updated on Dec 13, 2017

I fought fire for twenty years, now I create with it. I am a one-man operation with a need to create wonderful things from steel.

Reviews

Average item review
5 out of 5 stars
(26)
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quality 8 shipping 6 customer service 3

About IronShepherdForge

Sales 92
On Etsy since 2014
  • Part of a trammel hook. Fresh out of the forge and glowing with an incandescent heat.
  • My primary vise. Heavy and solid.
  • My main anvil. I do a lot of forging on this one. It is small enough to travel when I demonstrate.
  • My first knife. Made from a farrier's rasp. This is a stock removal knife and was filed by hand without power tools.
  • Leaf on my backyard gate.

Keeping fire in my life. Twenty years of fighting it has turned into creating with it.

Iron Shepherd Forge is the transition destination from my previous career as a firefighter to that of artisan blacksmith. The name came to me in a flash of inspiration based upon my life path and as a tribute to my dad.

Shepherd was my dad's occupation while growing up on a ranch on the plains of eastern New Mexico. I remember his stories of herding sheep for days at a time, alone, at age ten or eleven. He was the hardest working man I have ever known. He taught me the value of hard work and to never fear physical labor.

My dad is my hero. He is the one who taught me work ethic, common sense, and integrity. He passed away in 2013 yet he is with me always in spirit and in the lessons he taught me.

I took his lessons into my former career as a paramedic and firefighter. I retired from the fire service in 2015 and am now creating with fire instead of fighting it.

My touchmark (the symbol that I stamp into my forged work) is a combination of the shepherd's crook and a fireman's axe. It is a symbol of my dad and my former career.

Working with steel has always fascinated me and being able to pay tribute to my father, my career, and keep fire, hard work, and tools in my life has brought forth Iron Shepherd Forge.

All items proudly made in the USA!

Shop members

  • Mike Romo

    Owner, Blacksmith

    I used to fight fire, now I create with it. I am a retired firefighter keeping fire in my life. If you have a specific idea for an item, please contact me and we can discuss a custom order. www.ironshepherdforge.com

Shop policies

Last updated on December 13, 2017
Hello. Everything here is hand crafted by me. I work alone in my studio, unless my son comes to give me a hand.

I am currently forging items that make great gifts for the buyer or for someone else.

All my work is hand forged at the anvil and therefore has its own unique characteristics.

If you like something you see, but have questions or want more information, please message me. This is what I do. I meet the needs of my clients and customers.

Thank you

Mike

Accepted payment methods

Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
  • Other Method
Returns and exchanges
I stand behind all my work. If you are not happy, please give me the opportunity to make it right before posting any negative reviews.
Payment
All payments must be made prior to items being shipped unless other prior and specific arrangements have been made.
Shipping
All domestic shipping will be either first class package or priority mail.

Local area orders can be arranged for delivery or meet up!

Tracking numbers will be provided as the USPS or other shipping systems allow for it.
Additional policies and FAQs
Custom orders are available. I prefer to communicate via email for record keeping purposes. Drawings, pics, sketches, etc should contain dimensions or sizes preferred. Quotes will be generated for commission work and a deposit will be required prior to beginning work.

I want my clients to be actively involved in the design process of their piece(s).

Please feel free to message me and we can begin the discussion of what you want to bring to life in steel.

ironshepherdforge [!at] gmail.com
Privacy
I do not sell, exchange, or give buyer information to any other entity. Privacy and confidentiality has always been a part of my career and it is no different with my business.

In the future, I may send out messages or emails regarding specials, sales, or big changes in the shop.

More information

Last updated on Dec 13, 2017
Frequently asked questions
Do you make jewelry?

I do, but only out of steel. I can add brass or copper highlights when the piece is still hot from the forge. My Viking runes are quite popular.

Sizing details

Some items will have approximate dimensions provided in their listings.

Some may be pictured with a business card, coin, or object of known size to provide scale.

Care instructions

Items are hand forged out of steel. Cooking related items will be coated with either a food safe oil like canola or with beeswax. PLEASE INDICATE IN MESSAGE IF INTENDED USER HAS ANY ALLERGIES TO COATINGS SO ALTERNATIVES CAN BE SELECTED.

All items can and will rust if left exposed to the elements. Questions regarding refinishing will always be addressed. We can make arrangements for return and refinishing for a nominal fee or advice can be provided for your own restoration as needed.

Why do your items have different colors on them?

When steel is heated, it forms oxides on the surface. They are consistent with the temperature of the steel. They are called temper colors and are used to guide blacksmiths when making tools and such.

Although my items are mild steel and not hardened as a knife or chisel may be, the colors still run. When I brush off the scale the steel gets clean and shiny. Since it is still hot, the colors will run and change from light straw to dark straw to purple and blue. They stop running when the temperature drops and since each is hand forged, they stop at different times and places. They are also affected by the way I clamp them in the vise which acts as a heat sink.

Some call it painting with fire.