Our Story

We are Raina & Ruben. We met as deckhands on a tall ship bound for Antarctica, and are now weaving our story of a handmade life on the land in Mi'kma'ki / Nova Scotia, Canada with our children.

Our intention through Back Road Farm & Forge (previously R&R Handmade) is to passionately contribute to a new economy - one that celebrates creative expression, hand skills and lasting quality while focusing on the regeneration of the earth. We aim to create useful and beautiful pieces to enliven your day-to-day flow.

About Us

Ruben Irons is the blacksmith behind all the hammering of hot steel. With over 25 years of experience and a passion for forging, he's really good at it. His work is physically demanding and his process is loud and dirty; he wouldn't have it any other way.

Raina McDonald works with Ruben to fine-tune and create new designs, photographs, and runs the behind the scenes of the business. Her studio is across the driveway from the blacksmith shop amidst food forests and blueberry fields. Read about her other work here.

Thanks so much for finding us here!