The blacksmith and his traces

Created: 2022-01-24 13:59

By: Ulrike Osman

The garden gate with elegantly curved leaf ornaments and a decorated coat of arms is one of Thomas Kernle's masterpieces.

Incidentally, nothing is welded in his work – that would be much too modern.

© Weber

In fact, he was supposed to be a pastor.

But Thomas Kernle decided on a different career path.

He became an artistic blacksmith - and left more lasting marks on and in churches than he could ever have done as a pastor.

A visit to the 82-year-old in the Mittelstetten district of Tegernbach.

Mittelstetten –

Blacksmithing has a long tradition in the family.

The company has had the name Kernle since 1795, and there is evidence of it even longer in Tegernbach.

A document from 1613 lists the work the blacksmith had to do for local farmers.

They rewarded him in kind.

"The blacksmith was an institution in the village," says Kernle. Since he was born in 1939 as the middle of three brothers, he was not intended to be the company successor. Instead, the bright boy was sent to a boarding school in Augsburg to prepare for a spiritual career. That was the idea of ​​the pastor at the time, but he had reckoned without the person concerned. Plagued by homesickness, he skipped high school after four years and did an apprenticeship in his father's blacksmith shop.

At first, the work was far removed from art.

Kernle spent the days fixing broken iron parts on farm machinery and equipment.

Only over time did each of the brothers occupy their own niche.

The oldest specialized in agricultural machine mechanics and the youngest in plumbing, heating and sanitary installations, while Thomas Kernle developed into an artist at the anvil.

In 1963 he went to master school in Munich.

He studied the old masters of his craft, wandered through churches and discovered the necessary talent in himself.

"Nobody can teach you the arts, you have to be able to do it." To this day, the 82-year-old is fascinated by how rigid iron can be shaped into delicate, even filigree ornaments with the help of heat, a hammer and skilled hands.

Grave cross for himself and Mrs. Rosi already finished

You can find his works in Baindlkirch, Hörbach, Mering, Wasserburg, Augsburg and of course in his home town of Tegernbach.

The wrought-iron commemorative cross next to the local war memorial and the railing on the steep staircase leading to church are just two of many examples.

The sacristy extension to the church owes its stability to a sling forged by Kernle.

This is what is called a construction made of iron bars that are driven through the walls and hold them together.

In addition to numerous church orders, the father of two and grandfather of three forged lamps, handrails, balcony and stair railings for wealthy private customers.

Even in your own house you come across small iron works of art at every turn - from the banister to the door fittings to the bell pull on the front door.

The garden gate with elegantly curved leaf ornaments and a decorated coat of arms is one of his masterpieces.

If you look closely, you will see that there is nothing welded in Kernle's work – that would be far too modern.

If individual parts have to be connected in the traditional art of blacksmithing, this is done by punching and plugging together.

The fact that Kernle has already made the grave cross for himself and his wife Rosi is only macabre at first glance.

Because what would be the alternative?

A stone is taboo from his point of view.

And should one, as an outstanding blacksmith, leave this piece to a colleague?

Fulfillment in over 60 professional years

Even today, the 82-year-old still swings the blacksmith's hammer from time to time.

The physical work kept him fit and brought him new fulfillment time and time again.

The most beautiful moments were when a complicated task was successfully completed.

And the worst?

Kernle has to think long and hard when answering this question, because actually everything about his job makes him happy.

Then something occurs to him that he doesn't like - "when the customer wants things that you don't like yourself".

Luckily that was the exception in more than 60 years of work.

Kernle's niece took over the family business with her husband and his grandniece.

The heating, installation and plumbing divisions continue to exist.

The blacksmith, however, "will die out," says the senior.

"This is a pity."