US-based Pinoy 'Panday' wants to re-introduce kababayans to blacksmithing

After besting three other contestants and having his lifelong dedication to smithing recognized in History Channel's Forged in Fire in December, US-based Filipino blacksmith Ryu Lim wants to re-introduce his kababayans to the art of blacksmithing.

Lim is currently in the Philippines to conduct a series of free workshops to share his love for smithing to fellow Filipinos, especially to those who are seeking alternative ways of earning income.

"Even if you finished schooling in this country, it doesn't guarantee you a decent job," Lim told GMA News Online in an email interview. "So what about those like me who did not finish college or the ones who never even had the chance to go to school? They have even less of a chance if they have to compete for the very limited job opportunities."

"Trying to re-introduce blacksmithing and reviving the culture and its arts may serve as an option on terms of livelihood for anyone who is willing to work for the sake of themselves and their families," he added.

Forging weapons, Lim said, could be done "even without fancy and expensive tools" and only needs practice, hours and hours of it.

"Just like everything else, hand forging weapons can be very hard in the beginning. And just like everything else, it gets easier the more you do it and build up your skills," Lim said.

Persisting in the craft

Lim's own family immigrated to the US when he was 12 after struggling to make ends meet in Pampanga.

Despite his father's wishes for him to enter college, Lim pursued blacksmithing and ended up becoming an expert in handforging weapons.

"Relying on traditional techniques is not necessary. There are faster and easier ways to forge a blade. I just prefer the old ways, because it is more personal and I feel closer to what I am creating. Kind of like leaving a part of me in the finished piece," Lim said.

 

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A photo posted by Ryu Lim (@ryu.lim) on

Oct 13, 2015 at 6:35am PDT

His enthusiasm for smithing began from the moment his cousin, Billie Jean, took him to watch a blacksmith forge an itak when he was eight-years-old.

"I was hypnotized by the fire and completely taken by the whole process. The smell of the burning charcoal, the sparks flying up from the forge, the ringing of the anvil as the blacksmith struck the glowing steel and shot sparks out from underneath his hammer. I knew right then that this is something I wanted to do," Lim recalled.

 

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A photo posted by Ryu Lim (@ryu.lim) on

Oct 7, 2015 at 12:41pm PDT

After years of earning his living off custom blades orders via Instagram and Facebook, Lim decided to try his luck on Forged by Fire.

"Life presented me with a new, and extraordinary challenge, and I realized that I needed to take more chances and risks in order to overcome it... I wanted to inspire others," Lim said.

Lim's next Pandayan Sessions will take place in Palawan on March 31. —KBK, GMA News