Wrought Iron source

[pitted_soul]

Gang,

I have a smith that will make me a knife clad in wrought if I can supply the wrought. I'll ask how much I need to get, but where are some good sources for this? Also, what would be some cool ideas for this? Where can I get some that will have some good banding?

 

[WhilemyKnifeGentlyWeeps]

Gang,

I have a smith that will make me a knife clad in wrought if I can supply the wrought. I'll ask how much I need to get, but where are some good sources for this? Also, what would be some cool ideas for this? Where can I get some that will have some good banding?

Literally been googling this for the past two days. Most of the results have taken me to websites that no longer sell wrought iron. I have been buying small pieces off of eBay but can't find anything substantial yet. I would also be very interested in finding a better source of wrought iron.

 

[MSicardCutlery]

Here you go https://maritimeknifesupply.ca/products/wrought-iron-steel

 

[MSicardCutlery]

They will need to have the forging equipment to turn the rounds into flat bars though. I use a 25T press.

 

[NickMinton]

Check hobby / antique stores in rural areas.

Anywhere with old tractors and barns or rural equipment left out

 

[deltaplex]

Gang,

I have a smith that will make me a knife clad in wrought if I can supply the wrought. I'll ask how much I need to get, but where are some good sources for this? Also, what would be some cool ideas for this? Where can I get some that will have some good banding?

Do a local search for decorative or ornamental iron in your area, there's very likely multiple places in your area producing wrought iron items. Asking them to make some wrought bar stock at a certain size shouldn't be terribly difficult.

 

[pitted_soul]

@MSicardCutlery thanks for the link. I think they're going to be good for many things. Always on the lookout for good sources.

@NickMinton I thought about this, ala Maillet, et al. I have access to several farms since I live in a fairly rural area. I might try to combine this idea with...

@deltaplex I do wonder about that, that's a good idea. We have a local forge that I took some classes from and several local guys work in wrought. BUT I am going to try to find some historical iron from my area. We had a ton of steel manufacturers here and probably other processed metals. I'll see if I can find some older ones, ala Bloomery Iron, and keep a lookout while I am on some farms and other places for products from there. I like to check out old abandoned places.

 

[blokey]

 

[pitted_soul]

How would I ship that to Japan? I won't say no just yet.

Doing some digging and it looks like I might have a good shot at finding something. https://genealogytrails.com/tenn/hamilton/earlymfgandfuturehistory.htm

My goal is to make my own knife in the next year or two, so what I don't use for this particular project, I can save and use for cladding later on. I had to look up how to differentiate wrought from other irons in the wild.

 

[refcast]

Yahoo auction Japan and Mercari have lots of old iron antiques, and cheap used up wrought iron kanna in bulk

 

[Uncle Danny]

One thing is sourcing wrought iron another thing is how “stringy” the iron is. It’s not just iron and then you forge. Wrought can be difficult and you could end up sending the smith a big amount just to be sure.
There’s no telling, if it will have cool banding. So some smith put in nickel or wires or some other metal to make sure that the clad looks pretty.

All that said and done. Sourcing iron can be tough. As Nick said, you need to go to the sticks or the sea. Old anchors are made of wrought. Look for that stringy structure, like long lines in the metal. When you cut it, you can test it with some vinegar or ferric acid. But that’ll only kinda confirm that it’s wrought, not if it’s suitable for forging.

But good luck, it’s a fun hunt and I’ve done it my self. Stay strong to the iron throne.