Maker Highlight: Collin Sage – Make:

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Title

Collin Sage

The place are you positioned? 

Louisville, KY

What’s your day job? 

I’m the Content material Producer and In-Home Blacksmith for FirstBuild, which is the innovation lab for GE Home equipment. Throughout my day-to-day, I help the creation of YouTube movies, content material for social media posts, and any customized movies – sometimes that includes new merchandise we plan to make or options on our neighborhood members, who’re additionally largely makers and hobbyists themselves.

No matter items have been on my thoughts: swords, cutlery, horseshoes, rings, armor or no matter loopy new concepts the FirstBuild crew has for me – at 8 am, I’m strolling by way of the doorways to fireplace up the forge or the digicam and soar straight into work.

Do you attend a makerspace/fablab/hackerspace? 

On a regular basis after I clock in! FirstBuild has its personal open makerspace with 3D printing and a Common Laser cutter, store tools like welding, metalworking, water jet, and woodworking—even a small-batch manufacturing facility onsite. After I’m not engaged on our video and content material initiatives, I get to throw on my apron, head to the again of the store, and begin hammering out my very own initiatives from Damascus pizza cutters to blades and no matter else I get impressed to make.

Instagram | Fb | TikTok | FirstBuild Instagram | FirstBuild Web site | FirstBuild Youtube

What sorts of stuff do you make? 

Every thing I make is considered one of a form, however I’m sometimes drawn to creating knives, bottle openers, J-hooks, battle axes, sample welded rings, swords, ornamental containers to carry stated swords, and principally something and all the things medieval and steel. I’ve additionally been identified to make a Damascus metal shift knob or two when the temper strikes.

How did you get began making stuff? 

I used to be a Technical Theater main in school. We wanted some prop swords for a challenge so I crudely welded, floor, and whipped up a pair rapiers. They had been ugly as sin, however I had a lot enjoyable I made a decision I needed to learn to make them “for actual” and completely caught the blacksmithing bug.

I spent nearly each greenback I had on starter tools, and after graduating from school, I began my very own aspect enterprise. It was disturbing and I used to be horrible for a very long time, however after a few years (and plenty of tears), issues began to come back collectively for me.

What’s one thing that you simply’ve made that you simply’re actually happy with? 

I’m a two-time winner of the Historical past Channel’s ‘Cast in Fireplace’. I had truly by no means even met one other smith till I joined the solid. One in all my proudest moments from the present was beating one of many judges – historic weapon recreation specialist David Baker – in a sword making competitors. Past the present, the items I’m most happy with are simply the little hunks of steel from every time I’ve made a brand new forge weld. The primary time I fused a metal cable right into a stable bar. My first sample welded metal piece. My first Mokume Gane nugget (copper nickel fusion). Every of those little hunks imply extra to me than any ornate sword I’ve made, as a result of they characterize a transparent and painful progress level and are a tangible illustration of every main “Degree Up.” I’ve saved all of them as small medallions, virtually like my very own private Olympic medals.

What’s subsequent in your challenge record? 

I’ve a number of swords I’ve been wanting to construct, together with one impressed by The Witcher, (which has been sitting half accomplished for six months). Swords may be exhausting to promote, however I really feel impressed by them. I’ve been taking fewer customized initiatives not too long ago to free myself up for extra private initiatives, so that is positively one which I’m hoping to get executed quickly.

what’s one thing you’d wish to work with however you haven’t but? 

Meteorite! It’s so cost-prohibitive, however is so cool and distinctive to work with and one thing that will actually stand-out in my assortment.

Any recommendation for individuals studying this? 

Don’t give up your day job. I do know it’s the factor no one desires to listen to, however as anyone who did that, the monetary burden can kill the entire creativity and enjoyable. I’ve seen individuals rush into creating full time as a result of they hate their 9-5, they usually find yourself in the end burnt out. It’s a tricky street, so don’t take it flippantly and attempt to plan revenue to the most effective of your skill whereas sharpening your expertise and investing in your self.

Are you going to indicate off at a maker faire within the close to future? If that’s the case, which one?

FirstBuild usually participates in Maker Faires and in any other case, individuals can discover me right here at FirstBuild in our makerspace (which is open to the general public) or on our YouTube channel.

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