Mando Metalsmith in Debenham thanks followers as social media audience grows

Metalwork to some may not fit in this modern day and age of technology, but one man is bucking that idea in innovative ways.

Gordon Coe, otherwise known as Mando, has thanked his social media audiences as thousands follow his heavy metal escapades at his Debenham-based workshop.

The agricultural worker first started the business from his hobby in 2021 to continue his passion for making things.

He said: “I have been a fabricator and welder for 18 years, after making a few items, friends of ours said we should come along to a show that they were selling at in Norwich.

“We went and made a few bits for it and I thought it was really fun, seeing people getting excited about the items as much I did making them.

“We booked in for another show and it was growing from there until Covid hit and halted all of that.”

Originally fabricating out of his 8x5 garden shed, where he said he was working around the family washing machine and freezer, in July 2023 the metalsmith found his current home in the village.

“We decided we needed more space as we had boxes of stock in the bedroom, under the bed and in our wardrobes.

“So we got a unit in Debenham, near where we work, and it has grown from there.”

But it is the items that the 33-year-old has been making that has peaked the interest from his ever-growing social media following, including Mandolorian armour inspired by Star Wars, dice for games of Dungeons and Dragons, Medieval-style jewellery and 15kg replicas of Thor’s Stormbreaker hammer, similar to the one in the Marvel films.

“I have made a few of those now, I think I am on number four,” he said.

“There is an axe throwing range in Sheffield that has one and take it to festivals for pictures and I have one on the bench at the moment ready to go out to a customer tomorrow.”

As well as continuing to have stalls around shows across East Anglia, Mr Coe regularly produces video and content for his social media pages and even does live weekly events to give people a behind-the-scenes look at what he is doing.

“On Wednesday nights I like to show them what I am working on, without giving too many secrets away, as well as offering free gifts for orders while I am live,” he added.

“This seems to be growing really well and the audiences for our Thursday live packing events too, with around 3,000 followers on Facebook, 3,500 TikTok and more than 1,000 in Instagram.

“There seems to be such a real interest in metalwork and what I do on social media, which is great.”

Bringing this traditional manual work to a digital format has really worked for Mr Coe as his clients for commission pieces has grown beyond the county.

“We have people all across the country now that are watching me and buying items due to our online presence,” Mr Coe said.

“I have fantastic comments all the time from supporters and they are really enjoying what I am trying to do.

“It gives me a really nice pick up when they are saying the items I am making are cool and they can’t wait to get their stuff.

“I also love them sending pictures and videos of them with their items, it is just very uplifting and feels great to be using my hobby to make really cool things that people will enjoy.”

To find out more, go to the Mando Metalsmith website.