Rattlesnake Fork Forge

About the Forge:

Rattlesnake Fork Forge is a small blacksmith and bladesmith shop that was created for a love of the function, form, and history of working with metal.

The forge is located in rural Wayne County, Mississippi along what was once the Paulding and Mobile Road.

The History of Rattlesnake Fork:

In days long past, there was a stop on the Paulding and Mobile Road called Rattlesnake Fork. This overnight campsite was a common stop for farmers and merchants on their often long and difficult trip to Mobile, Alabama. At that time in history, people often had to transport crops and goods to the market or port to sale to earn their humble living. The campsite was named for two reasons; one it was literally a fork in the road, and two, it had a large forked holly tree where people would hang Rattlesnakes that were killed in the area as warning to others about the wildlife danger in the area.

Paulding to Mobile

My Great Grandfather settled his family along the Paulding and Mobile road. The small plot of land he purchased was bordered by Rattlesnake Fork. My Grandfather purchased land also bordering the Rattlesnake Fork. After many years of work my parents purchased the land that was once used as the campsite.

My parents introduced me to blacksmithing after we watched a blacksmithing demonstration. I was amazed by the demonstration. Seeing my excitement for the traditional trade, my father said to me, "You know your Granddaddy and your Great Granddaddy were blacksmiths and all of their tools are in the old barn at the home place. When we get back home, we will pull them out and I'll show you".

He later told me that my Great Grandfather was one of the local blacksmiths that worked for the railroad when it came through Wayne County, Ms. The test for becoming a blacksmith for the railroad was to take a piece of stove pipe and turn it into a horseshoe. A task that my Great Grandfather not only accomplished but, out of all of the blacksmiths that applied in the area, his horseshoe was only beaten by one. The heel of the shoe was less than 1/8" from perfect. The other blacksmith became the head blacksmith for the railroad and my grandfather became his helper.

With such rich history, when it came time to name the forge it seemed fitting to honor the hard work of all of the farmers, merchants, and blacksmiths that traveled through Rattlesnake Fork.

I have been practicing blacksmithing and bladesmithing since my dad introduced me when I was 12 years old. I have always enjoyed the form, function, and art of working with metal. Although I am not nearly as good as my Great Grandfather or Grandfather, I truly enjoy the hobby.

My First Forge

Traded for: December 16, 1994

My First Knife

Built: January 13, 1995