Blacksmith Heritage & The Forging Process

For centuries, blacksmithing has played a pivotal role in society and although the industrial revolution reshaped the manufacturing process for many businesses, hand forging remains one of the best ways to create quality metalwork.

At From The Anvil, we continue to use traditional blacksmithing techniques to create our ironmongery, combining strength, beauty, and functionality for modern life.

Learn more about blacksmith heritage and the forging process below...

Contents

• The Origins of Blacksmithing
• Blacksmithing and the Industrial Revolution
• The Art of Hand Forging
• Blacksmith Finishes
• Why Choose Hand Forged Hardware

The Origins of Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing is one of the world's oldest metalworking crafts. The ability to heat, shape and strengthen metal transformed what people could make, allowing communities to produce stronger tools, weapons, and equipment than those made from stone, wood or softer metals.

The word 'blacksmith' is thought to come from the combination of 'black', referring to the dark colour of iron when it has cooled, and 'smith', an old word associated with a skilled worker or craftsman. Over time, blacksmithing developed into a highly specialised trade requiring considerable knowledge of metal, heat and traditional forging techniques.

During the Medieval period, the village blacksmith was an especially important member of the community. Blacksmiths produced essential objects such as horseshoes, nails, hinges, tools, agricultural implements and cooking equipment. They also made weapons and armour for soldiers and provided the metalwork needed for buildings, carts and other forms of transport.

The mysterious nature of the craft also gave blacksmiths a somewhat unusual reputation. Working with glowing metal, fire, smoke, and heavy hammers could appear almost magical to those unfamiliar with the process. In some communities, the combination of fire and metalworking even led to the craft being associated with superstition and the 'black arts'.

Despite these superstitions, the blacksmith's expertise played an essential role within the community. Developing these skills took years of practice and was incredibly physically demanding, requiring precision, patience, strength, and a deep understanding of the trade.

Blacksmithing and the Industrial Revolution

In 1856, Henry Bessemer invented a new method of producing steel which completely transformed the blacksmithing trade.

The Bessemer Process uses a giant air-blown converter to blast high-pressure air through large amounts of molten pig iron (the crude, impure substance created from smelting iron ore). The oxygen from the air burns away impurities including silicon, manganese, and carbon, and these reactions generate heat which keeps the batch in liquid form without the need for external fuel.

This made the Bessemer Process cheap and quick, creating 10-25 tons of steel in just minutes. As a result, the price of steel fell by more than 80% which made it a key component in large scale projects like building railways and skyscrapers where speed, affordability, and uniformity are key.

However, for specialised items like hardware or tools, hand forging remains the far superior process. By creating each item by hand, blacksmiths can align the metal's internal grain structure which maximises its strength and resistance, and the physical compression of the steel squeezes out air to eliminate the microscopic voids which would otherwise result in weakness.

The Art of Hand Forging

At From The Anvil, we value traditional hand forging techniques which remain at the heart of how we create ironmongery. Our blacksmiths use the same fundamental principles that have been perfected over generations; heat the metal, shape it using force, and carefully finish each piece by hand.

Heating the Steel

Our products start as rods of mild steel. Steel is placed into a forge where the fire heats it to the optimum temperature required for shaping. The colour of the heated metal serves as a key visual indicator of its temperature;

• Dull red (<700°C); too cold for shaping. Hammering the steel at this stage creates micro-fractures which makes the metal brittle and prone to cracking.
• Bright red (750-850°C); this is the lower limit and can be used for light shaping.
• Bright orange (900-1,000°C); the optimum temperature for shaping metal.
• Bright yellow/white (>1,200°C); approaching the melting temperature of steel and can burn the steel, causing it to spark. Can be used for welding.

As steel becomes hotter, its colour changes through shades of red, orange, yellow, and white. If the metal is too cool, it is difficult to manipulate and can become brittle but if it is too hot, it can become burnt and damaged. Knowing which temperatures are suitable for forging is an essential skill for blacksmiths.

Once it has reached optimum temperature (typically 900°C to 1,000°C), the glowing metal can be removed the forge and taken to the anvil, where it undergoes shaping.

Shaping the Steel

Incredible skill is required to shape the steel. A combination of controlled hammer blows and specialist tools is used to draw, bend, flatten, and form the metal into the desired shape. The repeated heating and shaping of the steel helps to create strong, durable components capable of withstanding the demands of everyday use.

Carrying out this process by hand allows the creation of beautiful shapes which cannot be replicated by mass production techniques. It enables the blacksmith to respond to the material as its being manipulated, and also gives rise to subtle variations, giving each piece a distinctive character.

Once the basic form has been achieved, the metal is left to cool, and each piece is filed to remove burrs and sharp edges.

Finishing the Steel

Following the forging process, each component is cleaned, assembled, and finished to achieve their final appearance. At From The Anvil, we have three beautiful blacksmith finishes available.

Blacksmith Finishes

Beeswax & External Beeswax

Beeswax is our most traditional finish. The rich colours of the steel range from subtle blue to deep red ochre tones, which are preserved by dipping each piece in hot beeswax after forging. This creates a soft, matte richness with an authentic, rustic appearance.

Beeswax products offer excellent protection internally, but for external use, we recommend choosing our External Beeswax finish. Visually, these finishes are identical, but our External Beeswax products are dipped in anti-corrosive beeswax, which is unique to From The Anvil, making them suitable for exterior use.

Explore Beeswax & External Beeswax products.

Black

With its distinctive yet subtle sheen, our Black finish is the perfect choice for those looking to make a bold statement. Following the forging process, each item is powder coated and baked in a high temperature oven. This creates a protective layer with excellent corrosion resistance and durability, making it ideal for use in kitchen, bathrooms, or externally.

Explore Black products.

Matt Black

An extremely versatile finish, Matt Black looks great in ultra-modern settings but can also be used to add a touch of sophistication and refinement to more traditional homes. Much like classic Black, our Matt Black products are powder coated and baked in a high temperature oven to create the deep, black patina that emphasises the products clean silhouette for a robust and hardwearing finish.

Explore ;Matt Black products.

Pewter Patina

Pewter Patina is a wonderful example of how our unique finishing techniques can add further detail to the natural charm of the base material. Our Pewter products undergo an accelerated ageing process, creating a dark patina before being placed into barrelling machines, giving them their unique finish.

This is protected by a high quality, clear matt lacquer which makes the finish incredibly low maintenance, even where damp conditions are expected.

Explore Pewter Patina products.

Why Choose Hand Forged Hardware?

With modern manufacturing capable of producing huge quantities of metal so quickly and cheaply, it's fair to ask why traditional hand forging still has a place in current markets.

The answer lies in the character and quality of the finished product. Hand forging retains the naturally occurring texture and subtle variations of each piece of steel. Instead of being completely identical, each product has its own individuality, with its distinctive features telling a story that reflects its handmade origins.

Furthermore, forging adds an incredible strength and durability to the components by shaping them under controlled heat and pressure. This is an essential trait for door handles, window hardware, fireside tools, and other items that need to withstand frequent use.

Choose hand forged hardware if you want products that will last a lifetime while adding aesthetic appeal and practicality to your property.

Explore our full range of products here.