Red Deer blacksmiths becoming go-to source for metal armour, weaponry

Blacksmith twin brothers in Red Deer have made a living out of their childhood dream. CTV News Edmonton's Matt Woodman has more from the forge.

A Jack Sparrow sighting in Red Deer isn’t exactly abnormal. Nor is the occasional appearance by a Spartan or a vampire hunter. Not because the central Alberta city is located on a Hellmouth, of course, but because the trio all take their work to the same blacksmith.

“I always wonder what the neighbours must be thinking,” joked Gonzalo Franco, co-owner of Mount Crom Armouries Inc., in a recent interview with CTV News Edmonton.

He and his twin brother Berny officially opened the metalworking shop in late 2024. While they do take on more typical industry projects, a large percentage of their clientele participates in cosplay, historical or fantasy reenactment, and armoured combat, also known as buhurt.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan the Barbarian left an indelible mark on the now 28-year-olds; they got their first forge from Caroline, Alta., and began studying the craft when they were 11 years old, shortly after immigrating from Mexico.

“We wanted to be swordmakers, we wanted to be bladesmiths. We really just decided to commit to that fully,” Gonzalo said.

Now they are turning other people’s childhood dreams into reality.

Alex Osborn, 31, is a cosplayer who has created his own fictional character with the technical help of the Franco brothers named the Wing Crusader, inspired by role-playing game Dragon Age.

The Wing Crusader’s full suit of armour weighs nearly 30 kilograms. It is hot, but totally mobile, having been customized to his physique – a process the brothers compared to bespoke tailoring. The twins spent an estimated 400 hours handcrafting it. Such a kit can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Now Mount Crom’s social media manager, Osborn takes the Wing Crusader out into public for video content. Some passersby want to be knighted. Others want pictures.

“I never got to see this as a kid, so I thought, even though I don’t get to see it, maybe another little guy will be able to. Maybe that will inspire him and maybe he’ll make something great,” Osborn told CTV News Edmonton.

He has also begun studying blacksmithing, too, which he says has helped him overcome losing his previous job about two years ago.

“I was in a very, very dark place… (The twins) said, ‘Why don’t you come hammer some steel?’ And believe it or not, it actually saved my mental health. It actually saved my life,” Osborn recalled.

“Blacksmithing helps the soul… It’s just the clash of the steel, the fire… It makes you a lot more calm.”

Mount Crom offers classes and rents out a game-playing room in the shop. The Francos say interest in their offerings continues to grow.

According to Berny, “It’s almost like it took the internet to revive one of the most ancient crafts.”

The twins remain inspired by Conan to chase other dreams, including getting a foot in the doors of the film industry and buhurt world.

“One of my lifetime goals for the next coming five years is to make myself a suit… and also make something and send it to (Superman actor) Henry Cavill,” Berny told CTV News Edmonton.

“Guillermo del Toro, my man,” he added, calling out to the Mexican filmmaker known for Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and last year’s Frankenstein. “Come hang out.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Matt Woodman and Sean McClune