Zac Bailey
Blacksmith, Knifemaker, Draftsman

I used to have no skills or training to speak of, and just a high school education and I was working two full-time jobs, in order to pay rent. While working late one day at the primary job, some of the nightshift crew offered to show me about welding. I was hooked immediately.

This kicked off what will be a life-long passion of working with metal.

Once I was introduced to manipulating molten aluminum and steel, I started staying late at work to practice every day that time permitted. As well as practicing through each break, including lunch. Welding came easily to me with a little guidance. With this persistence of practicing, others began to notice my skill progressing and within a few weeks I was welding on production and not long after became a full-time fabricator.

With this new position, I progressed much faster and learned much more about working with my hands to make projects out of metal. I spent a couple years in this role and even trained others. Then through a strange circumstance that was half luck and half just asking the right questions, I got the opportunity to learn how to draft using CAD. Since showing an aptitude for drafting and design, once a position was available I became a full-time draftsman, and have remained one for over a decade now.

While working in an engineering office affords me the opportunity to advance my career and expand my knowledge and skillset, it leaves something to be desired. The fulfillment of creating something tangible with my hands. I sought to resolve this by finding a hobby that would give me the same reward. Several YouTube videos later, I knew I would expand my skillset of designing and working metal by means of one of the most traditional craftsmen in history.

I would become a blacksmith.