If you arrive at Red Pig Tools in Boring, Oregon and the shop looks closed, just give the barn bell a ring and chances are Bob or Rita Denman will appear to give you a personal tour.
If you arrive at Red Pig Tools in Boring, Oregon and the shop looks closed, just give the barn bell a ring and chances are Bob or Rita Denman will appear to give you a personal tour.
Photography by Erin Boyle.
Photography by Erin Boyle.
But after a long career in advertising, Bob found himself as a product development consultant to Corona Clippers and before long, he was making tools himself.
But after a long career in advertising, Bob found himself as a product development consultant to Corona Clippers and before long, he was making tools himself.
Follow a rural road in Boring, Oregon, to find Bob Denman hard at work making hand-forged garden tools.
Follow a rural road in Boring, Oregon, to find Bob Denman hard at work making hand-forged garden tools.
The propane-powered forge where every Red Pig Tool is born.
The propane-powered forge where every Red Pig Tool is born.
Bob will tell you that any blacksmith worth his salt makes his own tools.
Bob will tell you that any blacksmith worth his salt makes his own tools.
Bob’s forge and workshop are housed in a shop at the rear of his property, but a newer barn next to the retail shop will allow all visitors to see the tool-making process start to finish.
Bob’s forge and workshop are housed in a shop at the rear of his property, but a newer barn next to the retail shop will allow all visitors to see the tool-making process start to finish.
Bob begins the process of making his Fulcrum Weeder; it’s $24 from Red Pig Tools.
Bob begins the process of making his Fulcrum Weeder; it’s $24 from Red Pig Tools.
Bob hammers the weeder’s forked end.
Bob hammers the weeder’s forked end.
A vice grips the weeder and allows Bob to ply the hot steel into the correct shape.
A vice grips the weeder and allows Bob to ply the hot steel into the correct shape.
Bob attaches the wooden handle to the weeder using a drill that belonged to his father.
Bob attaches the wooden handle to the weeder using a drill that belonged to his father.
If no one’s in the shop when you arrive, just give the bell a ring or head down to the white farmhouse at the end of the driveway.
If no one’s in the shop when you arrive, just give the bell a ring or head down to the white farmhouse at the end of the driveway.
Red Pig Tools is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm, or by appointment.
Red Pig Tools is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm, or by appointment.
Piles of cultivators and hand rakes ready for sale.
Piles of cultivators and hand rakes ready for sale.
