At the heart of the forge
- Toms forges functional and sculptural objects of all sizes
- He is interested in the craft of knifemaking
- He has a vast skillset that includes mechanics, metalworking and carpentry
Toms Elle spent his childhood summers at his grandfather’s bicycle shop. "Growing up around grease and gears, I learned that I was at ease with tools. It was something I really enjoyed," he says. When restoring an Erenpreiss hub, Toms' grandpa showed him that when things are built properly, they can last for centuries. "At that very moment, I knew I wanted to spend my life building things that would last," he explains. Toms' father, a carpenter, introduced him to various masters of the craft. By the time he turned 14, he was accepted at a technical school of jewellery and blacksmithing. Toms worked under a master after graduation, and continued studying until he felt confident enough to open his own workshop. Today, he forges all kinds of objects, from jewellery and knives to machinery parts.
Interview
- What was the first thing you ever forged?
- At school, I saw a famous sculpture of a burnt matchstick, and decided to recreate one at the forge. It was actually quite big and an insane challenge to take as my first forged object. It took me several days just to hammer it to the proper size.
- Are you optimistic about the future of blacksmithing?
- Blacksmithing is valued today because it is viewed as an artistic practice, and younger generations are always interested in unique crafts. But most of the interest comes from the fact that blacksmithing produces objects that cannot be created by technology, only by strength and hard work.
- What is your favourite aspect of blacksmithing?
- My master once said, 'Even if life as a blacksmith is not easy, you will always be happy,' and I agree. No matter how I feel, once I start forging, I become happy. Blacksmithing is beyond just a career, it touches my soul.
- Why did you decide to forge small objects, such as jewellery?
- I had new ideas and wanted to try them. Forging big, rough objects is time consuming and rather hard on the body. I am also thinking about the future and practising for when I am older and unable to forge bigger objects.
Toms Elle is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2002
Where
Toms Elle
