About
The Iron Thistle Forge is located in the northwest corner of Montana, just 60 miles from the Canadian border. While the business was “officially” established in 1997, Tony started his first blacksmithing shop in 1988 in Four Elms, Kent, designing and creating various items, but specializing in candlesticks and chandeliers for various shops in England.
In 1991, for a change of scenery and climate, Tony took a position at the Iten Youth Polytechnic in Kenya, (East Africa) for the organization, British Voluntary Service Overseas. In Kenya he worked with vocational students, passing on practical ‘smithing skills including making hand cranked forges, tools and basic blacksmithing and repair skills. During his 3 years in Africa he met his future wife, Sarah, a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in the same village. They now reside, 8 miles west of Whitefish, where the Iron Thistle Forge is also located.