Meet Moore People: Jake Stevens

Meet Moore People is a series dedicated to the people we meet each day but do not really know; people who make Moore County a great place to live and work.

Say “hello” to Jake Stevens.

This Carthage native said he is grounded in more ways than one. Stevens wants to remain in Moore County, enjoys archeology, mycology, primitive skills, fishing, and his faith.

Stevens attended New Century Middle and Union Pines High School, graduating in 2013.  

“My motto is whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord,” Stevens said.

“I work as a manager at Keith Hardware in Carthage and have been working here five years,” said Stevens. “There’s something new every day, from helping with plumbing issues to fishing tackle, building screens, repairing kerosene heaters, and more. I enjoy helping customers and have gotten to know many people in Carthage. Always learning new things.”

The Carthage Forge held its second meeting Oct. 1 at 211 Martin Street, and Stevens gave a demonstration on making a tomahawk and other tools. A crowd of around 20 gathered to learn his blacksmithing skills.

Jake Stevens forges a tomahawk in a live fire pit on October 1, 2022, at The Carthage Forge for a crowd of spectators.

“I learned from Millcreek Forge with Jerry Darnell in Seagrove,” Stevens said.

The Carthage Forge, owned by Matt King, is the newest blacksmithing guild in a statewide organization, North Carolina’s Artists Blacksmiths Association of North America.

Jake Stevens cools the tomahawk on October 1, 2022, at The Carthage Forge for a crowd of spectators.

Stevens explained to the spectators that the forging heat was around 1,500 degrees. The white fire is around 2,300 degrees, and the fire inside the pit is around 3,000 degrees.

“The hardened steel turns silvery blue or a purple sheen. Old timers go by color,” Stevens said about when a piece is complete.

Meet Moore People Jake Stevens

Jake Stevens walks around the room to show spectators the completed tomahawk on October 1, 2022, at The Carthage Forge.

“For my next trick, I will turn this old file into a knife,” Stevens said at the demonstration as he held up a filing knife used in farrier work.

Stevens does not have an official business but takes custom orders for fireplace sets, tools, knives, and brackets.

The Carthage Forge plans more demonstrations. Contact Matt King at 864-363-1155 or [email protected] for more information.

If you know someone who you think makes Moore County a great place to live and would like to see them profiled in this series, please send your suggestions to [email protected].

Feature photo: Jake Stevens shows his handmade tomahawk on October 1, 2022, at The Carthage Forge demonstration.

~Article, photos, and videos by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email