Hand-forged Iron

Forging is manufacturing process where wrought iron is pressed, pounded or squeezed under great pressure into high strength parts known as forging. The process is normally performed by preheating the metal to a desired temperature before it is worked. Hand forging wrought iron is not an easy task. It requires art, skills and good physical strength of a blacksmith.

It is important to note that the forging process is entirely different from the casting process, as metal used to make forged parts is never melted and poured (as in the casting process).

The Forge
Shaping hot metal with a hammer is known as forging and, the forge is the place that holds the blacksmith's fire. A forge includes the place to hold the fire, the passageway for the air and a source of air such as a bellows, fan or blower.

A forge can be as simple as a hole in the Earth or a box lined with clay. The air supply can be provided by hand or power from machines made of wood, wood and leather or all metal. Forges have been made of stone and brick and modern forges are made of cast iron and steel.

Forges burn various fuels. Early forges were fueled by charcoal and peat, later, coal was been used. Modern forges also operate on natural gas, propane & fuel oil and are built with refractory brick and ceramic insulation.