With all the excitement surrounding our new Marine 316 Stainless Steel product release, we caught up with our founder, Mark Underhill, and gained an exclusive insight into the new collection.
Showcasing hand forged Satin and Polished Marine 316 Stainless Steel, this launch is a key moment in history for From The Anvil and the entire ironmongery world.
Read on to learn what Mark had to say…
Q: Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
A: “I'm the founder of From The Anvil. 25 years ago, we started producing hand forged ironmongery because we wanted to get away from mass-produced, poor-quality, cast items. I have a lifelong knowledge of working with metal as a toolmaker and working with wood as a joiner.
We have been working on our collection of Period ironmongery, keeping our skills at a high level to constantly improve our products. Our Stainless Steel range represents the pinnacle of my career.”
Q: What was your inspiration for this launch?
A: “Well, some years ago I was on a seaside holiday in St. Ives with my wife and couldn’t help noticing all the rusty ironmongery on these pretty houses. I felt I wanted to create a product that was beautiful to look at and would stay that way for generations.”
Q: What’s unique about Marine 316 Stainless Steel?
A: “Marine grade stainless steel is the best corrosion-resistant material, ideal for withstanding the salty air. It is the natural choice for coastal areas and by busy roads where you have salt spray and other pollutants. The material itself is the finish, meaning it doesn’t need any coating which could wear off. It’s been used on ships and boats for generations.”
Q: How is hand forged stainless steel different to cast?
A: “When you forge stainless steel you re-align the structure, making it much stronger than when casting it. It allows you to stretch and form the steel into beautiful shapes without losing any strength. You can go from thick sections to thin as this part of the door knocker below shows, to create a more organic shape.”
Q: What’s your favourite product from the new collection and why?
A: “It has to be the Ring Door Knocker (shown below). We first introduced the design 25 years ago. We’ve made it in many different materials, but never in 316 Stainless Steel. The shape has become a classic. To see it gleaming on a door by the sea is a really proud moment.”
Q: What was the most enjoyable part of the development process?
A: “The most enjoyable part was making it happen – making the impossible possible! Working with incredibly talented Blacksmiths with years of experience, pushing themselves to achieve the final result.”
Q: What was the biggest obstacle you faced throughout your experience?
A: “The biggest problem was to take a material which is very hard and form it into the desired shape. It hasn’t been done by any other manufacturer. You need high temperatures and a great deal of human skill. Lower grades of stainless steel are easier to mould, but 316 grade is really tough going. But if your aim is to produce the best quality product, you have to find a way.
The polishing process was also a great challenge. For these reasons, it’s taken ten years to refine and master the process.”
Q: How do you see ‘From The Anvil’ evolving in the future?
A: “From the very start, I have always enjoyed making beautiful products. With the wealth of human skills at our disposal, we will continue to produce quality, period ironmongery.”
If you love this collection as much as we do, learn more about it in our Marine 316 Stainless Steel blog.
Or explore our full range of Stainless Steel products here!
Email: info@fromtheanvil.co.uk
Instagram: @fromtheanvil
