Front Step Forge
Shawn Cunningham
Shawn has been a blacksmith for nearly 30 years and a staple in the Edmonton maker community. He brings a unique perspective on making and an amazing philosophy of why he does what he does. In our interview, we discussed many aspects of making and the history behind it, not just the work of a blacksmith.
For his handmade project, Shawn made a three-pound finishing hammer that started as a piece of round bar. He took me through each phase of shaping until the head of the hammer was fully formed. The final piece is not only a functional tool but a thing of beauty.
Shawn’s forge is located in an industrial area in east Edmonton. The shop is separated into a few different spaces with the main forging space as the showcase of the studio. In other areas, he has a gallery of some of his work, an office space to discuss designs with clients and a large machining area in the back for welding, grinding and other finishing work.
You can visit Front Step Forge online at www.frontstepforge.com or on social media.
