If you aren't an artist, it's hard to imagine how forged hot metal could be so amazing. Yet, its ability to shape the essential qualities of objects is a fascinating thing to experience firsthand. Whether your interest is in creating artistic works of art or improving what you create with your hands by making it stronger or smaller (to fit better in confined spaces), you may want to forge your own hot metal, which requires some simple tools and materials and patience (see above)
Fired metal is often referred to as hot because it's heated up before being hammered into shape. Forging takes place at temperatures ranging from 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degrees Celsius) down to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). The heat melts the metal into a liquid state and then allows it to cool naturally without any additional heating required. Once cool, the metal can be pounded with a hammer or other tool until the desired form is achieved. It's important not only for artistic reasons but also for safety reasons that metals used for forging should have high carbon content (such as steel), because this improves their strength and durability.
forged hot metal and tour
