Orgo’s path was its own kind of unlikely. A lifelong tinkerer, he grew up fascinated by how things are made and steeped in fantasy worlds where swords are symbols as much as tools.

As Orgo himself puts it, "I found life presenting me with an incredibly unlikely opportunity. An opportunity that allows me to, in the city that I was born, work and learn under the tutelage of two very knowledgeable, and supportive people."

"I've worked on more swords than I can count and, on more movies, than I can remember," reflected Christopher. "But the most important project so far in my career has been the Master Swordsmith Collection."

Having contributed to over half the Collection, he sees those early years as the foundation of his Middle-earth legacy and the true starting point for his entry into the armoury.

Orgo’s early days were less structured. Starting within the Workshop's finishing department, when he joined the armoury, he was quickly pulled into a new niche.

The unfamiliarity helped shape him into a problem solver and a craftsman who learned through doing, observing, and finding his own rhythm among the team.

What keeps them both inspired is the never-ending interplay between form and function. For Christopher, the sword is a meeting place between ancient craft and modern invention. He enjoys blending new and old ideas, especially the mixing of traditional and modern materials. He believes innovation is part of the same spirit that shaped entire human eras.

Orgo finds inspiration in the puzzle of design. A sword must look a certain way, behave a certain way, and fulfil the story it belongs to. He takes motivation from the breadth of archaeology and cultural history available to study. 

"I believe that there will be inspiration to be found for the rest of my working lifetime; as long as I continue to look for it."

Both swordsmiths speak of Peter Lyon with enormous respect. They admire his clarity, his generosity with information, and his ability to offer guidance without insisting on a single way of doing things.

Like Orgo says, "Peter is happy to offer guidance or answer questions at any level of complexity when needed and is always supportive or curious about experimental concepts."

His style encourages independence and confidence, helping both swordsmiths develop their own voices as makers. Following in his footsteps carries a weight which neither takes it lightly.

Collaboration in the armoury shifts from project to project. Responsibilities move naturally between them, as Christopher notes, "The three of us have a very diverse background to utilise."

They discuss designs, divide tasks, and test new approaches when a piece demands something unfamiliar.

They support each other’s strengths while pushing the craft in ways that honour the past and explore new possibilities.

"Part of the joy of working in this department with Peter and Chris," says Orgo, "is the absolute ease of collaboration in our normal workflow."

To Christopher, the armoury echoes the old role of the blacksmith. "Blacksmiths were once synonymous with tool makers. I feel at this company we are all tool makers for storytellers. Some stories require swords; some require pointy ears...we make the things to tell today's stories. Meaning is everything."

To Orgo, the craft is a lifelong pursuit. "A sword is an object that can conceivably survive for hundreds of years. The best I can ask is, for someone holding a sword that I had a hand in creating; [they believe] it deserves to survive for that long."

In the end, what Christopher and Orgo share is a deep respect for the lineage they’ve stepped into and a commitment to carrying it forward with integrity. Their paths may have begun in different worlds, but both arrived at the forge with curiosity, humility, and a drive to keep learning. 

Today, they work side by side, shaping steel and story with equal care, contributing to a legacy built by Peter and now sustained through their own hands. Together, they represent Wētā Workshop’s swordsmithing tradition: Artists grounded in history, energised by innovation, and devoted to creating blades worthy of being held, remembered, and passed on.