Kowhai Forge blacksmith apprentice James Grafton, left, helps Isabella Martin-Jury shape her knife while her brother Thomas looks on.
James Grafton moved north to become an apprentice in one of the most ancient trades. Senior writer Chris Gardner went to Kowhai Forge in Wharepapa South to find out his story.
Vaughan Martin, left, shapes red-hot steel into an axe with James Grafton at Kowhai Forge. Photo: Chris Gardner
As soon as Rob Pinkney finished tutoring a blacksmithing class with James Grafton four years ago, he knew he had an enthusiastic student and a blacksmith in the making.
So, he offered him an apprenticeship at his Kowhai Forge, 12kms southwest from Arapuni over the Waikato River.
Grafton, now 23, had finished a job in Canterbury and came north to the Waikato to a bit of fencing for a mate.
He had planned to head overseas to learn about blacksmithing but heard about Pinkney and his forge in the heart of the Waikato at Wharepapa South.
