About
Herugrim, Inc. was founded in 1992 by John Heinz. Growing up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania, from a young age, John realized he was into creating things out of metal. Through high school and college, John studied architecture and draughtsmanship, thinking he might one day become an architect. During this time he began learning gas welding and forging skills. After attending Harvard's summer course at the GSD, he interned a a prestigious architecture firm in Cambridge, MA. In any event, he soon realized that indeed, he did not want to be an architect, but continue his youthful dreams of working with iron and steel. That said, the architectural lessons of form and function dovetailed precisely with his new endeavor. Courses at Boston's MSFA and Haystack Mountain School (under Tom Joyce) helped him to gain experience. In 1991 he relocated to Williamsburg, Va, to intern at CW's famed Anderson Blacksmith Shop. At that time, the Master of the shop was Peter Ross; John received most of his instruction from Jay Close and Ken Schwarz. A year later found John opening up his own business in Nantucket, MA. Four years later he relocated back to PA, where he has provided his services ever since.
In regards to the process, John strives to use the same techniques and materials as early tradesmen did. Therefore he primarily uses pure iron, and simple medium or high carbon steels for most work. He also manufactures his own laminated, pattern welded, and blister steel. Of course, using historical methods does not mean ignoring modern metallurgical science, and the processes involved. So while using techniques like raising a helmet from one piece of iron, rather than gas welding two halves, John would use more precise (modern) methods of heat treatment on edged tools. If you have any questions regarding the above information, please feel free to contact us here.
Some of our commercial clients have included:
Westmorland County Historical Society
Nantucket Historical Association
Morse Diving, Inc.
Historiska Museet