Mike Hoffmann grew up in a tool shop. Well, not literally. Mike’s dad was a machinist and tool maker. He was employed at St. Cloud Reformatory and retired after working for 15 years in the license plant at the prison. Mike shares his father’s passion for working with metal and his spent his life working with metal.
I’ve always enjoyed blacksmithing and have enjoyed watching them at different locations, such as Pioneer Park in Annandale and Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. Mike informed me that the term blacksmith literally means to smite or hit black iron.
After graduating from St. Cloud Vo-Tech in 1984, Mike spent many years working as a machinist and tool maker. He was a foreman at four different shops in the St. Cloud area before an injury in 2001 caused him to take a break from his work. After losing one finger plus half his pinky, Mike spent 18 months doing blacksmithing as therapy to recover from his injuries. He found that blacksmithing was a lot less stressful and more enjoyable than the machining he had been doing for so many years.
Hoffmann also experienced eye problems and underwent several eye surgeries, including one for a detached retina. Thankfully, the surgeries were successful and his sight is better than it has ever been.
Mike got a job offer working with the University of Minnesota doing surgical/medical prototypes used in medical testing and worked for them for seven years. After that company closed, Mike ran his own business involving bio-medical research and deisgn working with medical prototypes for a time.
For the past several years, Mike has enjoyed custom blacksmithing, machining and metal working out of his home north of Becker.
Mike and his wife, Diane, spend as many as 15 weekends per summer participating in various fur trade re-enactments and living history shows. Mike and Diane have been active with Clearwater Historical Society and Clearwater Heritage Days for many years, as well as Pioneer Park in Annandale. They also participate in various re-enactments all over the state of Minnesota. They run a period store and sell furs, hand throwing axes, period clothing, iron work and knives they have created. His hand-crafted, unique items are top quality and impressive work.
Mike shared these sentiments about his love of the craft: “I enjoy the art of blacksmithing and the freedom it provides.” He enjoys teaching classes on ax-making and custom blacksmithing at his shop north of Becker. The class is fivd to six hours and costs $150 per person and can done individually or in a group setting. The price includes the tomohawk each participant makes and takes home. Hoffmann does custom order work and is available for demonstrations. If you are interested, call Mike Hoffmann at (320) 743-2022 or email mjhd@cloudnet.com
