I started blacksmithing in fall 2024 after meeting Berkeley Rhoads. I have always been a hands-on person with the desire to create. After having the opportunity to try out blacksmithing, I realized this is something I want to get good at and do for a long time. I have had the joy of getting to be around right when the club was getting started and getting to see it grow from a small club with little to no resources or relations, to having nearly everything for a small blacksmith shop, having members who enjoy this craft as much as I do, and getting to continuously working with and meet reputable blacksmiths and overall great people.
Berkeley Rhoads | MMET '24
I began blacksmithing in 2012, and have been passionate about it since. When I came to Texas A&M, I sought an organization that practiced blacksmithing. When I discovered there wasn’t one, I decided to start one with my friend and colleague, Charles Schmidt: a fellow smith. I love to teach and see others learn, and it has been a joy like no other to see the fruit of my labor grow so large. My goal with this student organization is to provide students with the means and instruction to learn blacksmithing, which is incredibly rewarding and a useful skillset to have. Blacksmithing has an incredible history and community filled with extraordinary individuals; just like Texas A&M. It is my goal to keep this great art alive and thriving, and to share with you the deep joys that the world of blacksmithing has to offer through the simple magic of fire, steel, hammer, and anvil.
Charles Schmidt | MMET '24
I started blacksmithing about 7 years ago because I have always enjoyed making things from simple materials. I met Berkeley in one of our major’s introductory classes and was delighted to find out he also is a smith, especially as I had not met many other blacksmiths and there were no other blacksmithing organizations on campus before ABC. It has been a joy to pass on the craft I have so loved through Aggie Blacksmithing and I hope to see that continue on for a long time./
