Josh Rachita grew up in Texas, and has enjoyed making things and working with hands for as long as he can remember. He was first exposed to blacksmithing at a cowboy day during a library event when he was five. He took a blacksmithing merit badge class at a Boy Scout summer camp when he was 12, but didn’t get serious about blacksmithing until 2016. Josh’s dad does 18th century woodwork, so it was unsurprising that Josh took up period ironworking. Josh sees traditional blacksmithing as a perfect mix of handwork and academics, and he is drawn to the narrative told by original ironwork about the people that made and used the objects. Josh is currently in his final semester at Sam Houston State University where he is pursuing a degree in History and a minor in Construction Management. For the past 4 years Josh has run the blacksmith shop at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum where he makes and interprets 19th century ironwork. Josh has studied with several notable blacksmiths through internships which include Evan Wilson in Austin, Texas and a summer working at Colonial Williamsburg in the Anderson Public Armoury. Josh has fallen in love with making domestic items, especially kitchen utensils. After graduation, Josh plans on becoming a part of Axe and Anvil full time. Check out the videos below to see Josh plying his trade and hear his passion for historical ironwork.