Gill is a North Carolina native who returned to his home state after retiring from the US Coast Guard in 2018. His interest in blacksmithing was first sparked by the History Channel show, "Forged in Fire." Although he does not make knives, Gill does forge a wide variety of utilitarian items such as hooks, camping tripods, handles, and hangers. As a persistently curious person, Gill read a lot of material about blacksmithing before picking up a hammer. Now, he spends most of each day working the hot metal to see what shapes will emerge.

Gill strives to run a sustainable forge, utilizing preowned and reclaimed materials for many of his projects and tools. His anvil (pictured left) was found at an antique store. Several components of the shop itself are wood planks reclaimed from an old deck that Gill and his wife demolished in favor of a patio. Many of the finished pieces Gill sells are made from scrap metal or items that would have been taken to a dump.

In 2022, Gill received a scholarship to take a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. This incredible opportunity deepened Gill's passion for blacksmithing and taught him several new techniques. Ask him about it!

When he's not smithing, Gill spends most of his time running, reading, and relaxing with his three dogs.

Taylor, Gill's wife, is also a North Carolina native! She and Gill have been friends since high school, although they only started dating during college. Taylor works a standard 9-5 job and manages the administrative side of Old Door Forge in her free time.

Taylor has truly enjoyed watching Gill discover a passion for blacksmithing and continuously improve. She's only mildly miffed that he has yet to make a piece for her.