Meet David McConnell

Today we’d like to introduce you to David McConnell. 

Hi David, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It started about 17 years ago when I happened onto an event called Black Iron Days at Hartwick Pines State Park, where there were many blacksmiths, all demonstrating. It was at that moment I was hooked. I love forging! After a few years, I managed to get on Forged in Fire. Then I had the opportunity to be on Knife or Death also. Now I am going for my JS through the American Bladesmith Society. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been fairly smooth sailing! It has all taken time but slowly; if you make a good product, things seem to work themselves out! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always worked with machinery or metal of some sort since I graduated High school. I first started out as an apprentice to become a journey man machine repairman. After that, I did some machine building, then on to becoming a fabricator. Now I work full-time as a blacksmith/bladesmith. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am mostly self-taught. I have been pretty fortunate to meet and work with some of the best in the business. My first piece of advice would be to be respectful to wh0 ever you are trying to learn from. Try to help them out as much as possible. We as makers appreciate a helping hand and will return the favor with knowledge. Second piece of advice is do not get frustrated with your progress. These skills take time to develop. There are many organizations out there also to help promote blacksmith/bladesmithing, such as ABANA, ABS, MABA. These organizations teach the skills necessary to move on in this art. There are many schools available to teach these skills also. I myself teach classes. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.northwoodsforge.com
• Instagram: @northwoodsforge
• Facebook: northwoodsforge