Stories behind smithy/forge names...

[irnsrgn]

I kept Stasil Bros. Blacksmith Shop as my shop name as it has been that name since 1941 when my father and uncles started it the year after my grandfather passed away, It quickly became just my Father and Uncle Louie as they just gave the other two brothers a job and the other two didn't last long, one was to lazy and the other one to fussy. When I purchased my Uncles share the year after my Father passed it was just good business to keep an established name that was associated with a good work record and it was a tribute to my Father and Uncle to keep it the same name. I had my own business, Jr's Portable Welding, but consolidated it into the new business as I had been working in the shop for the previous 29 years, sometimes full time and sometimes part time, and everyone knew me.

irnsrgn

[cross]

I was registering across the street and they asked for a user name,I put in crosspean .so I call the shop Crosspeen Forge,notice I spell it right now. ops:

[yesteryearforge]

my wife came up with the name yesteryear forge because of my desire to not do anything the more modern way. I own a manufacturing business with the latest machine tools and equipment and I will admit to using them to make anvil stands , forges, tooling and such but in my forge I try my best to be as traditional as I can.
A lot of smiths would like to have plasma cutters ,mig welders and such but I try to leave those at work and do things as they were done yesteryear as I truly believe that for me that is what attracts me to this addiction

[R.Smith]

I go by Empire Wrought Iron. I thought about using a cutesy name but decided against it because I, myself, don't put a lot of faith in businesses that do this. They tend to disappear as quickly as they pop up.

I chose "Empire" because it conjures up the nostalgic ideal of the iron age. Grand, large, solid...the age of Empire.

My shop, however, is not empirical...but thats my secret.

I avoid the "blacksmith" label because most people associate the term with nails and horse shoes. I avoid the "artist" label because most people associate the term with...paying for image and waiting an eternity for the job to be finished.

[anvillain]

I had a lot of experience in welding,cutting and modern methods. I also wanted to learn as much traditional forging as I could. I wanted to design articles that were hopefully artistic and if possible original. I wanted to emulate the old ways but I also realized if it were not for the modern conveniences my smithing education would not be possible, so I reserve the right to embrace the new. The sum of all this: "Arc & Anvil 2000 Ornamental Forge". I have shortened this to "Arc & Anvil Ornamental Forge". Yet it still seems too long. I may shorten it again. I have an anvil in my logo with 2k on the side of it to represent 2000 which was the year I sort of started to get it all organized. I purpose to not let anything out the door that I am not happy with.

Anvillain

[JerryCarroll]

Mine is the "Bordertown Forge" because the town of Momence, IL has been known as such since it was founded in the early 1800's. Indiana is on it's eastern border and used to be the edge of a grand swamp called Beaver Lake, drained and cleared of it's clutches of oaks and walnut to be used for farmland.

[Alan B]

Seem to be a lot of us Scott/ Irish in here. The name of my shop is Brazier and Black, Blacksmithing. My family name back in Scotland was Brazier, it was later changed to be spelled like the Celts pronounced it. A friend that helped me get things started, his family name was black. He has since moved on to other things but my brother in law still works with me every weekend. We thought about changing it but too many people already know us by that trade name sooooo. I guess we'll keep it the way it is.

[Quenchcrack]

Being only a hobby hammer, I never really gave my shop a name. I have contemplated names, though, and kinda settled on "Singing Anvil Forge". The ringing of the anvil is music to my ears and a blessing to my heart. I can forget about all my troubles and focus on what I enjoy doing. I become Herr Gassermaster, Lord of the Ring........ing. :P

[Marc]

I've been reserving "Iron Ring Forge" for the time when I get off my butt and actually make stuff to sell. It's a double-entendre. The iron ring is a ring made of iron and might work well for a sign, touchmark, logo, .... But there's also the ringing sound.

[Jim C.]

Elkdoc: I like Burr Oak. Right here in the middle of Oklahoma I am growing burr oak trees in my yard that I have raised from acorns. My place is Frontier Shop; I live on Frontier (a county road with a good Oklahoma / Western name). Ray Davis already had Frontier Forge. www.frontiershop.com as a start. Jim C.