That job you do: Blanchard man keeps history alive through blacksmithing
Pawnee was born Francis Buckley, but in 1975 on the American Mountain Man horseback ride, he took off his shirt, shaved his head and won the nick name “Pawnee” from his fellow riders. He has been known by this name ever since.
Living in Blanchard, Idaho, with his wife, Pawnee keeps alive the art of blacksmithing. “Basically I can make or fix anything made of iron.” He said, “I take a large hammer and beat the heck out of it. It’s great therapy and it has kept the bills paid.”
“What do you beat your large hammer on?” I asked. Pawnee replied, “I have an anvil that was in my great aunt’s barn. When I was 12 years old, I asked my father to get it for me, and he did. At 189 pounds, it’s a heavy piece of equipment, but it has served me well for many years. I make candle holders, stove hinges, light fixtures and pot hooks and basically anything that can be made from iron, but in a three-dimensional presentation. Many of my items can be found on shopthefrontier.org.
Where do you live? I live about 3 1/2 miles outside of Blanchard, Idaho.
What job do you do? I’m a blacksmith. I make or fix anything that is made out of iron. I have a passion for history and I love that I get to keep this part of our history – blacksmithing – alive. I set up a circus-style 20-by-30-foot canvas tent at county fairs and historical rendezvous’ to display and sell my works.
How long have you been doing this job? I have been doing blacksmithing for more than 30 years. Basically that means I get to use a big hammer and beat the heck out of things.
What do you like the least about this job? The thing I like doing the least is production work, making 20 of one thing and 50 of another, but it pays the bills.
What do you like the most about this job? I enjoy making something new and figuring out the engineering of how to make it.
Tell us a funny/unusual or sad story that happened on the job. Well, I give lessons in blacksmithing. One time I had a student that took one lesson and then another lesson and then just didn’t leave … That’s how I met my wife.
What is your dream job? I’m always dreaming up new things to make.
If your life were made into a movie, whom would you want to play you? I love how Mel Brooks makes life fun. I think life should be fun.