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How to Forge a Hook

Forging and metalworking are skills and crafts that require a lot of practice to hone and become efficient with. Forming a simple hook is a good exercise for the beginner to train with that utilizes the main and basic tools of the trade. With a little time and some persistence, you will be able to bang out a hook from a steel rod in no time. Translating these abilities into other projects will see your metalworking skills increase exponentially.

Things You'll Need

Forge
Steel rod (rebar is good for practice)
Anvil
Hammer (sledge)
Safety equipment (especially gloves and face protection)

Instructions

- 1
  Insert the end of your metal rod into the forge and allow it to become red hot.
- 2
  Holding the cool end of the metal rod, create a point at the red-hot end (if desired) by tapping the tip with a heavy hammer while turning the rod with your other hand to create an evenly rounded, pointed tip.
- 3
  Put the rod back into the forge whenever it cools to a non-red hue.
- 4
  Use the horn of the anvil (the pointed end) to round the rod into a hooked shape. Hit the red-hot tip of the rod around the section of the anvil's horn that will provide the desired amount of curvature.
- 5
  Tap the rod gently with the hammer to smooth out any flat edges created when hitting the rod heavily with the hammer. Continue this process until you attain the desired shape of hook .
- 6
  Use either cutting tools, included with the anvil, or a hacksaw to remove the hook from the remaining steel rod.
- 7
  Cool the hook when finished by submersing it in water. Rub the finished hook with some beeswax to help prevent the formation of rust on its surface.

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