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How to Forge Steel

Forging steel is one of the oldest methods for forming metals known to man. Forging involves heating metal to a point where it becomes red hot and therefore malleable, and then forming it by striking it with a hard object, such as a hammer against an anvil. Building or buying a forge will allow you to heat pieces of steel; the rest of the process is an art that will require a good deal of practice and determination to start producing quality pieces. Eye, body and foot protection should always be worn when working with hot metal.

Things You'll Need

Forge
Tongs
Metal
Sledgehammer
Anvil
Grinding stone
Files
Safety gear

Instructions

- 1
  Light your forge and place the piece of metal you wish to form into it.
- 2
  Remove the piece of metal from the forge, using tongs, when the metal develops a red-hot hue.
- 3
  Hold the metal with the tongs in one hand and rest it on your anvil. With your other hand, strike the metal with a sledgehammer. The metal will be much softer now, and can be formed by beating it into shape. Use the different surfaces and protrusions on the anvil to help form the shape you want.
- 4
  Replace the metal into the forge whenever the red hue fades and the steel appears darker, or black, to keep the metal hot enough to shape easily.
- 5
  Allow the finished product to cool, and file off any small blemishes or add edges using a file or grinder.

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