There’s something timeless about the rhythm of the forge—the hiss of steam, the clang of hammer to anvil, the glow of heated metal. At Old West Iron, these sounds aren’t a thing of the past. They’re part of everyday life.

To give you a closer look behind the scenes, we sat down with Jon Westerlund, lead fabricator and head blacksmith at Old West Iron, to talk shop. From early mornings at the forge to the finishing touches on a custom bracket, Jon shares what it really means to be a modern-day blacksmith—keeping the old ways alive while meeting the needs of today’s builders and homeowners.

Q&A With Jon Westerlund – Head Blacksmith, Old West Iron

Q: What does a typical day look like in the shop?

A: The day starts early—usually around 6:30. I’ll fire up the forge, check the orders, and start laying out what needs to be fabricated that day. Whether it's a set of hammered clavos or a custom structural bracket, everything gets a second look before we touch metal. No two days are ever the same. We might be working on restoration hardware for a 150-year-old barn one day and custom signage for a new lodge the next.

Q: How do you approach each new project?

A: It starts with respect—for the material, for the customer, and for the history behind the piece. If we’re recreating hardware from an old ranch gate or a pioneer cabin, I want to make sure it’s authentic down to the last detail. That might mean using hand-hammered textures, historically accurate joinery, or even aged finishes that mimic decades of weathering.

Every item has a purpose, and every forge mark tells a story.

Q: What’s one of your favorite tools in the shop?

A: Some of the most satisfying work still happens with the hand hammer and anvil. There’s a feel you get from the metal that machines just can’t replicate.

Q: What makes Old West Iron different from other hardware companies?

A: We aren’t stamping out hardware by the thousands. Everything here is made to order, built by hand, and designed to last a lifetime—or longer. We take on jobs big and small, and we work closely with our customers, from architects and contractors to homeowners restoring a family homestead. It’s not just about making parts—it’s about helping people build something that matters.

Q: Any advice for someone interested in getting into blacksmithing?

A: Be patient. The forge is unforgiving, and the learning curve is steep. But if you stick with it, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of pulling a finished piece from the fire. Start with the basics, learn your materials, and take pride in the process. This is a trade that rewards dedication.

Hand-Forged Heritage in Every Piece

Blacksmithing at Old West Iron isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. Jon and the rest of the team forge each piece with care, history, and durability in mind, whether it’s a custom iron bracket, a wrought iron door pull, or a one-of-a-kind structural hanger.

So the next time you run your hand across a hammered surface or install a strap hinge that feels like it’s been around for generations, know that it wasn’t made by chance—it was made with intention.

Explore more from the forge at Old West Iron, and bring the spirit of the American blacksmith into your home.

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Maddison Mellem
Writing from the forge at Old West Iron