Local blacksmith wins "Forged in Fire" competition and takes home $10,000, along with the title of champion. 

Weston Paas is a bladesmith, blacksmith, and business owner in Colorado Springs, and now he can add champion to that list. Paas competed on the History Channel's Forged in Fire and beat out three other blacksmiths for the title and $10,000 prize.

Paas forged his way through the three rounds to victory, with the final task being to recreate the Zulu War Axe—a historical weapon used in battle in Southern Africa that features a half-moon-shaped head and long handle.

To celebrate his victory, a viewing party of the episode is happening on Friday, February 21, at Kilroy’s Workshop in Colorado Springs. Complimentary snacks will be served and Paas will take questions from the audience, as well as share behind-the-scenes stories and details about being on the show.

It's always exciting when local folks win recognition and awards like this, and we are super proud of Paas. The show is intense, and it's no small feat to pull off creating a winning weapon in just a few days’ time. 

"It was an honor to build the Zulu War Axe- they have such an interesting and rich culture, as well as an effective historical war formation whilst wielding their war axes! " Weston Paas (Facebook).

Paas owns Heart’s Fire Forge in the Black Forest area of Colorado Springs and works across the state. His shop creates knives, handrails, fireplace surrounds, and so much more.

Congrats, Weston Paas! Very well deserved.