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Organized in 1978, the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association is an affiliate of ABANA. We represent blacksmiths, bladesmiths, and farriers in West Virginia and its surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. 

We publish a quarterly newsletter which keeps our membership up to date on events. The newsletter also features many metalworking tips.  

To join the ABA, click on 
Membership Form

Appalachian Blacksmiths Association

© 2008

Nothing herein may be reproduced unless permission of the submitter and/or the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association is given.

	Beginner's Advice	An article written for beginners and novices to introduce them to the craft of blacksmithing
	Apprenticeship Standards	In 1986, our association registered Standards of Apprenticeship for the Trade of Blacksmith with the US Department of Labor.
	Student Handout.pdf	A PDF download (1.3 MB) 5 pages of essentials for the beginner.
	Blacksmithing Schools	A listing of most North American Blacksmith Schools and some foreign schools
	Farrier Schools	A listing of Farrier Schools in the Eastern USA (a farrier is a blacksmith whose specialty is shoeing horses)
	Blacksmith History	An article written for the interested reader about the history and terminology of the craft of blacksmithing
	History, Part 2	An article about the blacksmith's work in North America, from 1001 to the present, broken down by historical eras.
	History, Part 3	The Ages of Technology--Stone, Bronze, Iron, (and Silicon?)
	Blacksmith in the Oil Patch	An article about the blacksmith's work in the early days of oil and gas drilling in Appalachia.
	Lewis and Clark's Blacksmiths	Celebrate the Lewis and Clark bicentennial by learning about the blacksmiths in the Corps of Discovery.
	Blacksmiths in Ivory Coast, Africa	The Senoufo blacksmith has been at his trade since ancient times in this equatorial country.
	Antebellum Iron Works	A series about iron furnaces and iron making prior to the Civil War in the western counties of Virginia (now West Virginia.) Includes information on early wrought iron.
	James Rumsey and the First Steamboat	James Rumsey, blacksmith and inventor, builds a successful steamboat in 1787.  Was Rumsey's steamboat the first?
	Iron and Steel	An article written by Hans Peot about iron, steel, alloys, their history, and their properties
	Forging non-ferrous metals	An informative article by Brian Russell about forging techniques for brass, copper, aluminum, and bronze.
	Raising of the Bull	An article by blacksmith Bob Elliott about making a copper Repousse weathervane featuring a bull.
	All About Nails	The history of nail making and a photo display of cut nails from a Victorian-style house built in 1900.
	Techniques and Projects	For our beginners. Look here for project ideas and an explanation of various techniques.
	Finishes	Wax? Oil? Paint? Learn how to finish your ironwork
	All S-Hook Up!	A step-by-step slideshow for making hooks. Blacksmith Bob Elliott shows you the very first project you will ever make in the forge--a hook.
	1982 ABANA Conference	A retrospective of the 1982 ABANA Conference hosted by the Appalachian Blacksmiths Assn. at Cedar Lakes.
	History of the ABA	"Rekindling the Fires" -- A series of articles about the early history of our organization.
	Village Blacksmith	Longfellow's famous poem about the village blacksmith of the 19th Century.  The village blacksmith was an important part of 19th century community life.

Opportunities for Novice Blacksmiths

Prickett's Fort:
Located at Fairmont WV, this reproduction village offers opportunities for learning frontier blacksmithing and other crafts.  Contact them at 304-363-3030. 

Fort New Salem:
Located at Salem WV, Fort New Salem offers occasional blacksmithing classes and also apprentice opportunities.  Contact them at www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org

Jackson's Mill Historic Area:
Located near Weston WV, the Mill's historic area offers opportunities for blacksmiths to volunteer on special weekends.  Novices are also invited to work in the shop.  Contact the Mill at 800-287-8206 or 304-269-5100.

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