by Dennis Dalman
Area military veterans are invited to sign up for a free seventh annual “Blacksmithing Day” that will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Ken’s Custom Iron in Avon.
No veteran will be turned away, but it’s recommended anyone interested should register now or as soon as possible so organizers of the event can gather together enough tools, materials, working spaces and food. Food, snacks and beverages will be served free to all participants.
To register, go to https://www.kensiron.com/blacksmithing-for-veterans.
Or call Ken’s Custom Iron at 320-746-8161.
Established in 1988 by Ken Zitur, who died after a long battle with cancer last May, Ken’s Custom Iron is located at 37634 CR 9, Avon. The shop is now operated, as it was before, by Zitur’s widow, MaryLou, with help from others, including part-time assistance from their daughter, Samantha, who is a professional photographer living in Bowlus. Her husband, Justin, also works at the iron shop, which specializes in the making of decorative and functional iron works.
Blacksmithing Day is open to any military personnel past and present. Participants need not know anything about blacksmithing; they don’t even need to know how to swing a hammer. And veterans with disabilities will be accommodated to learn the basics of the craft.
What is blacksmithing? It is a skill, an art, that has existed from time immemorial. Blacksmiths (also known as metalsmiths) create items from wrought iron or steel by heating those metals (or other metals) in a hot forge and then, while wearing heat-proof Kevlar gloves, the blacksmith uses a wide variety of tools (tongs, twisting wrenches, hammer racks, hot punches, chisels and more) to hammer and bend and twist and shape the red-hot metal into the desired items. The process can also be applied to repairing broken metal objects.
Besides being a creative and rewarding hobby, blacksmithing has been known as a form of physical and mental therapy for disabled veterans and those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Some disabled blacksmiths even work from wheelchairs.
In conjunction with the coming Blacksmithing Day, Ken’s Custom Iron is selling pre-ordered T-shirts from which all proceeds will be donated to charities for veterans. To order one, go to https://kensironstore.com/productes/veterans-day-event
At Blacksmithing Day, veterans will have the chance to heat up and pound out some iron to get a feeling for what blacksmithing entails. Participants can choose to make any kind of object they want to, with blacksmithing experts present to assist them in their learning experience.
A message on the “Blacksmithing Day” website stated the following: “We know a great support system is essential and have the utmost respect for military spouses. That being said, because space will be fairly limited at the event, we ask the forging areas remain solely for veterans. Thank you for understanding.”
Veterans who happen to have safety glasses and hearing protection should bring them, but if not, such items will be provided. All materials, tools, supplies, food and beverages will be free of charge.
Zitur
Born in St. Cloud in 1953, Ken Zitur, founder of Ken’s Custom Iron, graduated from Apollo High School and began working for Burlington Northern Railroad in Waite Park where he completed a four-year apprenticeship.
He worked at the railroad’s blacksmith shop until it closed in 1986. Two years later, he opened his shop in Avon.
All during his career, he and wife Mary Lou (also a superb blacksmith) met many other outstanding blacksmiths and helped form connections among them and their shops throughout Minnesota and beyond.
Ken and MaryLou traveled far and wide to other arts and crafts shows in the Upper Midwest and in Arizona, selling their metal wares.
Some of their works have been displayed in the National Smithsonian Institute, Macy’s Department Store in New York City, in several Las Vegas casinos and many other department stores.
During the winter months, Ken taught weekend blacksmithing classes for beginners to advanced students.
The late Ken Zitur and his wife, MaryLou inside their shop, Ken’s Custom Iron in Avon.
This is a photo of Ken Zitur when he worked many years ago at Burlington Northern in Waite Park.
This is an iron foundry with the forge and the many blacksmithing tools on a rack on the back wall.
