Blacksmith Tian Hongming beats on a piece of heated iron in his small workshop in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province, on Thursday. [Photo by Ding Luyang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Tian Hongming, 67, has been dubbed the "last blacksmith by the fire" by the people of Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province.

Having picked up the skill of forging iron at the age of seven from his grandfather, Tian has made a living from the skill for more than half a century.

In the 1990s his business reached its peak, selling more than 80,000 iron products a year, Tian said.

With increased industrialization and the cheaper and more intricate iron products it brought however, Tian and his workshop went into decline.

Although fewer customers now choose handmade iron products, Tian sticks to the traditional craft and takes every order seriously.

In 2015 his skill was listed among the city's intangible cultural heritages.

"Sometimes, the flow-line productions can't meet the special needs of customers, so the craft will never be replaced," he said. "And I will continue my business as long as the market and customers need me."