This Forged in Fire Winner is Crafting History
Photo By Vincent Gonzalez
Whether a missing hinge on an antique door, a knife for the home chef or an heirloom piece made in memory of a relative, J. Alex Ruiz relishes knowing that each item he crafts has the ability to outlive him.
“It’s really cool to think that even though a piece might be simple, it will last generations,” says Ruiz, the blacksmith behind Volundr Forge. “Whether it’s as fancy as a knife or as plain as a bottle opener, it will last for centuries.”
The San Antonio native who’s been featured multiple times on the History Channel and was the winner of the
In This Issue | January/February 2021
As someone who feels woozy just thinking about hospitals or needles, I have long admired healthcare workers. This past year only intensified that respect as I heard from my sister-in-law and several friends about what they were facing during their 12-hour shifts that were suddenly filled with new PPE, uncertainty and, often, heartache… (read more here).