# Ferromorphics Blacksmithing

**Trade:** Specialty Services · **Address:** 243 Stafford St, Worcester, MA 01603 · **Phone:** (774) 253-3869 · **Website:** https://ferromorphics.com · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 2.8/5** (medium confidence) — from 2 reviews across 5 sources.

## The honest read

Swords and stair railings come out of the same Worcester shop. Ferromorphics is Joshua Swalec's forge on Stafford Street — an artist-blacksmith operation making one-off steelwork: staircases, railings, fences and gates, furniture, decor for homes and businesses, blades, and repairs to metalwork that already exists. The site puts his experience at 21 years, starting with training at Worcester Vocational Technical High School in 1998, and he teaches as well: part-time faculty in the metals department at the Worcester Center for Crafts since 2015, head blacksmith at The Worcshop makerspace since 2016.

Worcester Magazine wrote about him in December 2024, describing work that runs from railings and gates for construction jobs to swords. Earlier coverage puts the forge in the local maker scene — a 2020 Clark University piece had him making components at his Millbury shop, and an April 2020 business-journal item paired Ferromorphics with Cotyledon Farm of Leicester to help make shields. A 2013 Worcester Magazine piece described his metal shop at 97 Webster Street, by then eight years in place.

Two customers have written on Google, and they land in opposite places. In January 2025 a caller described a long phone conversation with one of the blacksmiths about historical swords: "If you are looking to get a sword made, this is the place." In December 2023 a one-star reviewer wrote that they lost a small amount of money and walked away, warning others to watch their wallet while allowing that the work looked like a skilled pro's. Google shows 3.7 stars across 3 ratings, and the shop's Better Business Bureau file, open under welding since 2018, carries an A+ grade.

The credentials Swalec lists are a craft résumé: member of ABANA, the American Bladesmith Society and New England Blacksmiths, a 1998 stick-arc welding certification, Fitchburg Forge-In professional division champion in 2008 and 2010, and an American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith performance test passed, with the presentation knives still to come and the rating not yet awarded.

For commissioned ironwork — a rail, a gate, a set of balusters, a blade — this is a craft shop rather than a contracting outfit, and estimates are free. Put the commission on paper before steel is cut: the price, what the deposit covers, the milestones you will see along the way, and the delivery date.

**Strengths:**
- Custom forged ironwork — railings, gates, staircases and furniture made one-off
- Bladesmithing knowledge — a 2025 caller cited his historical sword expertise
- Long craft résumé — 21 years by the shop's own account
- Trade memberships — ABANA, American Bladesmith Society, New England Blacksmiths, self-reported
- Metalwork restoration — repairs existing ironwork alongside new commissions

**Concerns:**
- Money dispute — a December 2023 reviewer reported losing a small sum

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Artist-blacksmith shop in Worcester run by Joshua Swalec, making one-off forged steelwork — staircases, railings, fences, gates, furniture, decor and blades — and restoring existing metalwork, with free estimates _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “An artist-blacksmith shop run by Joshua Swalec making one-off forged steelwork — staircases, fences, railings and gates, furniture, home and…”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Owner-operated by Joshua Swalec, Artist Blacksmith, who is also part-time faculty in the Metals Department at The…”
- The site states 21 years of blacksmithing, welding and metal fabrication experience, with training beginning at Worcester Vocational Technical High School in 1998 _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Company history (self-reported): The site does not give a founding date for the business. It states Joshua Swalec has 21 years of experience…”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Self-reported 21 years in business”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Certified in stick metal arc welding of mild steel in all positions, 1998 (Worcester Vocational Technical …”
- Swalec has taught in the metals department at the Worcester Center for Crafts since 2015 and been head blacksmith at The Worcshop makerspace since 2016, by his own account _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Owner-operated by Joshua Swalec, Artist Blacksmith, who is also part-time faculty in the Metals Department at The…”
- A December 2024 Worcester Magazine piece described work running from customized railings and gates for construction to swords _(confidence: medium)_
  - [worcestermag.com](https://www.worcestermag.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2024/12/25/last-call-joshua-swalec-blacksmith/77023200007/) — “worcestermag.com — As proprietor of FerroMorphics Blacksmithing, Swalec's creations span both the pragmatic and imaginative, from customized…”
- A January 2025 Google reviewer described a phone conversation with a blacksmith who knew historical swords well _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURfeDdma2F3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x635981af118a75b!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgID_x7fkaw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Had a great conversation on the phone with one of the blacksmiths. He was very knowledgeable on historical swords. If you are looking to …”
- A December 2023 one-star reviewer said they lost a small amount of money and walked away, warning others to watch their wallet while calling the work that of a skilled pro _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMxbHNYZUlnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x635981af118a75b!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC1lsXeIg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ Being scammed isn't fun and I walked away a while ago. Small $ loss but I'm not rich so it stings.
Based on what I saw, appears to be a s…”
- 3.7-star average across 3 Google ratings, with 2 written reviews from 2023 to 2025 _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Ferromorphics%20Blacksmithing&query_place_id=ChIJ0zqncz0E5IkRW6cY8RqYNQY) — “Google: 3.7★ from 3 ratings”
- Better Business Bureau file, opened 4/12/2018 under the welding category, carries an A+ grade _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/worcester/profile/welding/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-0261-325812) — “Better Business Bureau grade: A+”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/worcester/profile/welding/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-0261-325812) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Welding”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/worcester/profile/welding/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-0261-325812) — “BBB profile for Ferromorphics Blacksmithing at 243 Stafford St, Worcester MA 01603-1168, phone (774) 253-3869 — exact address and phone matc…”
- Self-reported memberships in the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America, the American Bladesmith Society and New England Blacksmiths _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Active member, Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA)”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Active member, American Bladesmith Society (ABS)”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Active member, New England Blacksmiths (NEB)”
- Self-reported American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith rating: performance test passed, presentation knives in progress, rating not yet awarded _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: American Bladesmith Society Journeyman Smith rating — performance test passed, presentation knives in prog…”
- Self-reported Fitchburg Forge-In titles: intermediate division champion 2007, professional division champion 2008 and 2010, first place decorative trellis panel 2009 _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Fitchburg Forge-In: Intermediate division champion 2007; Professional division champion 2008 and 2010; 1st…”
- The site reports a Massachusetts Cultural Coalition grant for public art in partnership with the Higgins Armory Museum _(confidence: low)_
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Massachusetts Cultural Coalition grant for public art in partnership with the Higgins Armory Museum”
- A 2020 Clark University article described Swalec making components at his Millbury shop, and an April 2020 business-journal item paired the shop with Cotyledon Farm of Leicester to help make shields _(confidence: low)_
  - [clarku.edu](https://www.clarku.edu/news/2020/04/16/local-activists-make-ppe-for-frontline-health-care-workers/) — “clarku.edu — Joshua Swalec, a local artist blacksmith who owns Ferromorphics Blacksmithing, is working on components at his Millbury shop.”
  - [wbjournal.com](https://wbjournal.com/article/central-mass-manufacturers-are-joining-the-coronavirus-fight/) — “wbjournal.com — Ferromorphics Blacksmithing of Worcester and Cotyledon Farm of Leicester to help make shields”
- A WPI project page describes Swalec opening his shop to visitors and being welcoming throughout _(confidence: low)_
  - [web.wpi.edu](https://web.wpi.edu/academics/me/IMDC/IQP%20Website/IQPReports/2012-2013/IQP_History_of_the_Rapier.pdf) — “web.wpi.edu — Mr. Swalec opened the doors of his shop to us and was welcoming every step of the way.”
- Specializes in Specialty Services _(confidence: high)_
  - [worcestermag.com](https://www.worcestermag.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2024/12/25/last-call-joshua-swalec-blacksmith/77023200007/) — “worcestermag.com — As proprietor of FerroMorphics Blacksmithing, Swalec's creations span both the pragmatic and imaginative, from customized…”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “An artist-blacksmith shop run by Joshua Swalec making one-off forged steelwork — staircases, fences, railings and gates, furniture, home and…”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/worcester/profile/welding/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-0261-325812) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Welding”
- Also offers Fencing _(confidence: medium)_
  - [worcestermag.com](https://www.worcestermag.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2024/12/25/last-call-joshua-swalec-blacksmith/77023200007/) — “worcestermag.com — As proprietor of FerroMorphics Blacksmithing, Swalec's creations span both the pragmatic and imaginative, from customized…”
  - [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com) — “An artist-blacksmith shop run by Joshua Swalec making one-off forged steelwork — staircases, fences, railings and gates, furniture, home and…”

## License

Status: **not_found** — verified against the official MA state registry, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/worcester/profile/welding/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-0261-325812): Listed on this source
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Ferromorphics%20Blacksmithing&query_place_id=ChIJ0zqncz0E5IkRW6cY8RqYNQY): Listed on this source
- [Exa](https://www.worcestermag.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2024/12/25/last-call-joshua-swalec-blacksmith/77023200007/): 9 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Ferromorphics%20Blacksmithing&query_place_id=ChIJ0zqncz0E5IkRW6cY8RqYNQY): 3.7★ from 3 ratings
- [Official Website](https://ferromorphics.com): 21 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “As proprietor of FerroMorphics Blacksmithing, Swalec's creations span both the pragmatic and imaginative, from customized designs for construction, including railings and gates, to swords that reflect…” — worcestermag.com (2024-12-25) — https://www.worcestermag.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2024/12/25/last-call-joshua-swalec-blacksmith/77023200007/
- “https://www.ferromorphics.com/” — u/zombiemetal666 in r/WorcesterMA (2024-02-03) — https://www.reddit.com/r/WorcesterMA/comments/1ag0a77/railing_installation/kos2vip/
- “Ferromorphics Blacksmithing, owned by Joshua Swalec.” — eu.telegram.com (2020-04-26) — https://eu.telegram.com/story/news/local/worcester/2020/04/26/worcester-face-shield-project-aiding-coronavirus-fight-by-making-needed-ppe/1288083007/
- “coordinating its efforts with other local artists and makerspaces, including Technocopia, Ferromorphics Blacksmithing, The WorcShop, and Cotyledon Farms” — news.worcester.edu (2020-04-22) — https://news.worcester.edu/center-for-crafts-making-face-shields-to-protect-healthcare-workers/
- “Joshua Swalec, a local artist blacksmith who owns Ferromorphics Blacksmithing, is working on components at his Millbury shop.” — clarku.edu (2020-04-16) — https://www.clarku.edu/news/2020/04/16/local-activists-make-ppe-for-frontline-health-care-workers/
- “Ferromorphics Blacksmithing of Worcester and Cotyledon Farm of Leicester to help make shields” — wbjournal.com (2020-04-13) — https://wbjournal.com/article/central-mass-manufacturers-are-joining-the-coronavirus-fight/
- “Years of blacksmithing practice led to Swalec moving to Worcester and making 97 Webster St. the home to his metal shop for the last eight years.” — worcestermag.com (2013-05-16) — https://www.worcestermag.com/story/news/2013/05/16/artists-unite-at-97-webster-st-207565721/10936106007/
- “Mr. Swalec opened the doors of his shop to us and was welcoming every step of the way.” — web.wpi.edu — https://web.wpi.edu/academics/me/IMDC/IQP%20Website/IQPReports/2012-2013/IQP_History_of_the_Rapier.pdf

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Fabrice Guilherme · 2025-01-27**: Had a great conversation on the phone with one of the blacksmiths. He was very knowledgeable on historical swords. If you are looking to get a sword made, this is the place.
- **1/5 · Google Reviews · Aur (Globedoc) · 2023-12-29**: Being scammed isn't fun and I walked away a while ago. Small $ loss but I'm not rich so it stings.
Based on what I saw, appears to be a skilled pro, but watch your wallet/pocketbook and don't get scammed...

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-16T21:30:42.371Z.
Cite as: Ferromorphics Blacksmithing — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-worcester)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/ferromorphics-blacksmithing-worcester