Our Story
Ledford Forgeworks came from a great desire to return to the roots. It’s easy to lose the human aspects of creativity in art and design in the digital age. Nothing can replace that primal need to work with your hands.
Established in 2016, the Forgeworks was founded on the idea quality, craftsmanship, and keeping the trade alive.
It’s all about the beat.
And how you swing it.
The best advice I received in design school was simple, “master your craft,” and that drives every strike of the hammer. I forge to shape, using the hammer as an extension of my hand to touch and test every inch of the project throughout the process, manipulating the steel, and bringing it to life. It’s like leaving my fingerprints on every piece.
Every part tells a story; but that’s only the first chapter.
I chose every one of my materials for a purpose. When I use reclaimed steel, its steel and broken tools that would have found their way to a recycling facility, perhaps to be degraded to a lesser quality form, or landfill. Some of the wood I use is locally sourced here in Southern California, and the walnut comes from trees I planted on my mom’s farm in Chico in the 1980s.
Living, lasting art that can be passed down through generations.
Every piece I make is unique. You won’t find another like it, and I won’t be able to make the same thing twice. It’s up to you to continue the story.
About our artist.
Bryan Ledford is a hardworking, blue collar guy trapped in a white collar body. He’s been a farmer, illustrator, prop maker, colorist, designer, sculptor, creative director, and metal smith. Oh, by the way, he doesn’t sit still very well. Bryan was asked to compete on Forged in Fire, Season 9 Episode 13, “Gladiators of the Forge.”