(7/2021) Every nation across the world has some characteristic element that defines its citizens as a whole. An abstract tastefulness comes to mind for Italy, and perhaps a firm stoic acceptance for the Japanese of the Far East. As Americans, we are no exception. Our defining cultural element is undoubtedly the idea of freedom. This freedom, often cited but rarely ever defined, is hardly the philosophical freedom that Aristotle suggested represents man’s perfection. Neither is it the political freedom that stands for the ability to do whatever an individual desires. On the contrary, it is the independence rooted so deeply in our national mythology that encourages every man to seize the opportunity presented to him and better himself through his own efforts and to shoulder his own responsibility.

In the month when the independence of our nation is traditionally celebrated, it feels fitting to celebrate the expression of this independence on an individual scale. There comes to mind a local man who has charted such an independent route firsthand, much like the examples set by our ancestors. Patrick Gill, blacksmith both out of passion and filling the breadbasket, has learned his craft in a way that a number of others do in modern times. "I had the crazy idea to put metal in a fire, I saw it glow, and the next idea I had was to hit it with a hammer. I looked it up later and it turned out I had reinvented blacksmithing!" Gill explained, chuckling with the enthusiasm of a toddler at Christmas. This first accident, if it can be called that, led to a process of refinement. With little access to instruction or apprenticeship, Gill set out alone to become the best blacksmith he could. He mentioned that he "had few experiences with other blacksmiths… I learned the most from videos and books."

This gradual process of self-teaching has led to the establishment of Ridgeway Forge, a homegrown effort to bring an ancient craft not only to the attention of otherwise uninformed customers, but also to invite a different art style into their homes. Using the techniques he learned both from trial and error and research, Gill opened his shop by selling Dutch ovens and bottle openers. The response to his homemade utensils was far greater than expected, with the blacksmith selling over eighty examples relatively quickly. It was a success for the business, and more importantly, a success for Gill, who has only continued to grow Ridgeway Forge. Now with a blog (ridgewayforge.blogspot.com) and an Instagram page (@ridgeway_forge), Gill is working on taking his work further to the public, showing examples of finished products and providing a wealth of information about the art of blacksmithing itself. He mentioned that this expansion has resulted in a new stage for his business and craftsmanship, with Instagram in particular "opening new fields for Ridgeway Forge."

If anything, the growing presence of Gill’s business is a reflection of the reality of blacksmithing. More than just a process of creating household items, it is an art in the purest form. Gill mentioned that "the competition from box stores is immense... but not the same." From the smallest level, factory products are fundamentally different from handmade goods. The work from a mass-produced factory hardly reflects the individual taste, style, and ethic of the craftsman. An equivalent from a larger scale production, on the other hand, is more or less a utilitarian copy with thousands like it unless individualized later. This leads to the fact that, as with any other art, Gill’s finished works of metal are a fusion of his own unique, irreplaceable style with elements he learned and adapted from other tradesmen of the craft. Much like the sculptor, the blacksmith adapts to his form without losing the essence of himself within it, making the materials more than clay or metal, but something greater. "I love making tools in a way that you can’t find in a hardware store," Gill stated, giving word to the sentiment. In that sense, blacksmithing really is an art, and by extension, Gill is an artist. More importantly, he is able to practice this art that he loves on a daily basis for his own survival, something all of us likely aspire to, regardless of what our art might be. It sounds pleasantly similar to the idealized "American Dream."

No dream, however, comes true without hardship, regardless of how our culture portrays it. Gill also struggled at times as he grew into blacksmithing. "Custom iron work is not easy," the blacksmith explained. Perhaps his greatest challenge was a common one that many of us face in our own experiences. "I struggled with comparing myself to others," Gill noted. This kind of pressure is often enough to cause an individual to change their course, even giving up on a lifelong dream. Rather than succumbing to this temptation, Gill was able to find a way to overcome. He realized the value of his own work, comparing himself to himself alone. "The patience and care it takes to forge… is something I have to offer," he mentioned. During this journey through what one might call troubled waters, Gill worked at new projects and gradually expanded his skills. Rather than losing the individuality of his own experience, the blacksmith refined his skills into a condition of rugged individualism where "nothing is out of reach… there’s nothing I cannot do."

The primary benefit Gill mentioned from this growth of his own talents is his ability to inspire others as they inspired him. In fact, the inspiration that drove Gill to pursue this path came from within his own family tree. "My inspiration was my great grandfather, who was a blacksmith in New York City in the ‘20s," Gill explained, demonstrating the influence of his roots. The example of another blacksmith who was able to dedicate himself entirely to an art, despite generations, was enough to inspire another artist to embrace the call. In a true spirit of generativity, Gill aspires to inspire others as he "was inspired by other success stories." Though the road to this success has been long and full of setbacks, it has led to the fulfillment of his hopes to become a blacksmith by trade and passion. In fact, at the time of printing, Gill mentioned that Ridgeway Forge is "soon to be an LLC," another step both for his venture and for himself.

In this story of a homegrown blacksmith, who discovered his trade by accident and improved his talents through the means of hard work and experience, we see a story of independence reflective of the spirit of our national culture. There is hardly an American who doesn’t dream of trying something on his own, working with all the resources available to reach his goals, and to be an example once this achievement is complete. It is rare, however, to see an example of this timeless desire being fulfilled in modernity, making it all the more important to celebrate those who are able to succeed against the flow of pressure from around them. Patrick Gill is one such success story, setting an example that we can all look up to. Perhaps we can be inspired by his story, and work towards fulfilling the spirit of independence in our own lives.