NRBA Fall Conference 2009, September 18, 19 & 20 at Jim Bolinger's St. Mary's Forge, Stevensville, MT

Demonstrator: Tony Stewart, Iron Thistle Forge

The Iron Thistle Forge is located in the northwest corner of Montana, just 60 miles from the Canadian border.   While the business was “officially” established in 1997, Tony started his first blacksmithing shop in 1988 in Four Elms, Kent, England, designing and creating various items, but specializing in candlesticks and chandeliers for various shops in England.  Being the son of a Scottish father and a Spanish mother, Tony is inspired by many forms of gothic & contemporary ironwork found in Europe, which influences his personal style of blacksmithing. 

In 1991, for a change of scenery and climate, Tony took a position at the Iten Youth Polytechnic in Kenya, (East Africa) for the organization, British Voluntary Service Overseas.  In Kenya he worked with vocational students, passing on practical ‘smithing skills including making hand cranked forges, tools and basic blacksmithing and repair skills.  During his 3 years in Africa he met his future wife, Sarah, a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in the same village.  They now reside with their dog "Mooch",  8 miles west of Whitefish, where the Iron Thistle Forge is also located.

Tony utilizes traditional hand forging methods including the use of coal and propane forges.  Methods such as hand riveting, forge welding, and repoussé are what makes his quality projects unique – hand-crafted details you won’t find in a catalog or a fabricating shop.  Most of Tony’s projects are made of mild steel, however other materials such as copper have also be incorporated into his work.