Ricardo Mediavilla

Forged elements, Locksmithing

NAME:

Ricardo Mediavilla

ADDRESS:

Calle Azpikoetxe s/n – 20230 Legazpi

Website

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK

Ricardo Mediavilla is a blacksmith. He carries out his works in a carbon forge, in a completely manual way, without making use of modern machinery. He uses different types of steel depending on the element he is to work on. He uses the traditional direct extruding forging technique combined with the use of spring hammers and manual tools (hammers, tajadores, slitting hammers, punches…).

His activity has always been linked to the industrial sector and the field of construction. In the industrial sector, his work is focussed on the manufacture of pliers for forging. These are very specific tools whose elaboration requires of a specialist. In the field of construction, he has carried out wrought iron grilles for private and public clients. He has also carried out the restoration of forged elements and the retrieval of damaged pointers of compressor hammers.

Throughout his professional career, Ricardo has collaborated with the Easo Museum in Irún and the Museo de Máquina Herramienta, in Elgoibar, carrying out both reproductions of iron elements and exhibitions related to forge.

APPRENTICESHIP

He carried out his training with his father Ricardo Mediavilla, giving his first steps in the world of forge at the age of 14 along with him in the business Patricio Echeverría (today, Bellota Herramientas) where he worked for over two decades.

TEACHING

During the time he worked for the business Patricio Echeverría, within the framework of the activities carried out there, Ricardo – for several months – gave lessons on forge to the students of the School Workshop in Legazpi, on occasion of the restoration works regarding the balconies of the Palace of Vicuña.

SELECTED WORKS

Among his works, it is worth highlighting those related to the elaboration of pliers for the industrial sector. Today, Ricardo is in charge of the elaboration of all the nails and locksmithing elements of the reconstruction of the Nao San Juan in the Puerto de Pasajes.

It is worth mentioning the restoration of the balconies of the Palace of Vicuña and the many private commissions for the manufacture of handrails, wrought iron grilles, etc.