Blacksmithing; Modern Contemporary and Traditional

"... Verdigris; where engineering becomes art ..."

hot punching a hole power hammer forging a leaf a traditional blacksmith's coke forge

Blacksmithing is a time honoured craft with roots steeped in antiquity. Here at Verdigris, David Hyde embraces and respects this heritage but also uses modern processes such as induction heating, laser profiling, water jet cutting, and hydraulic presses.

Prior to the introduction of electricity, the only way to work iron was by hammer and hand. It was drilled, shaped, cut or welded; all by being skillfully and repeatedly struck on an anvil. The word blacksmith originates from the archaic verb "to smite", that is to strike with a firm blow, whilst "wrought" means beaten to shape; hence wrought iron.

Various aspects of both traditional and contemporary blacksmithing are discussed in the pages below.