In Saint-Martin-d'Arrossa, in the Basque Country, a forge smokes again. And this is no coincidence: the Arrossa Valley is one of the oldest metallurgical sites in the Basque Country. From the third century B.C., the Larla mountain line saw the birth of the first iron mines, then the ironworks—more than 2,000 tons of iron were produced there in the Gallo-Roman era. Some two millennia later, Tito took over the gesture and the hammer.A forge, a man, knivesIn the old premises of the furniture manufacturer GUREA, in Saint-Martin-d'Arrossa, the Forge de Pelen is the workshop of Tito, a Basque blacksmith-cutler. Its specialty: custom forged knives, made entirely by hand. Here, nothing is outsourced: the blade is forged on the anvil in a carefully chosen steel, the handle is cut, carved and assembled in beautiful local species (wood or horn), and the leather case is sewn hand. Every knife is unique. This is what makes the difference between a serial object and a piece that will accompany you a lifetime — the one that is passed on, that is carefully sharpened, and that can be found with pleasure in every use. From the daily knife to the exceptional modelCouteaux de chasse, table knives, kitchen knives, utility models or more worked parts: Tito designs for all uses. His online shop gives a nice overview of what he knows how to do — and remains a good front door for those who want to order remotely or take inspiration for a custom room. Learning the gesture: forg courses eThe other beautiful proposition of the Pelen Forge is the forge courses over two days. The idea is to start from scratch and leave with your own knife. On these two days, Tito initiates you to work metal, accompanies you to draw and forge your blade, choose and sculpt your handle in the wood of your choice, then realize the finishes. A rare, intense and deeply satisfying experience — one of those moments when the hand learns what the head did not yet know.
Price: €590 all inclusive (material, frame, and knife you take home).
A valley, a memory, a know-how that lastsover the Nive, a few kilometers from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and at the foot of Larla, the Forge de Pelen embodies everything we love in the Basque Country: patient know-how, an accessible craftsman, a beautiful matter, and a territory that has something to tell. A visit, an order or an internship is more than an object that is reported: it's a little of this millennium memory that we're putting back into circulation.