So, today I received a late Christmas present in the mail. Hall Ironworks ordered a Hofi style hammer for me! I ripped open the package, wondering what could be in this heavy box. I'm sure I resembled a little girl on Christmas morning, but I really couldn't help myself. Up until this time, my oldest brother, Garrett, had lent me his Hofi style hammer to use. (It is a much more ergonomically designed hammer, designed to keep you hammering longer, in case you were wondering what the heck a "Hofi-style hammer" was) When I wasn't using his hammer, I would dig around my step-dads huge, circular rack of hammers and find one to use. Now I have my own. Let me put this into perspective for you. Getting my first hammer is like getting your first bike or your first musical instrument.  It is symbolic for a milestone or stepping stone in your progress towards not only self discipline, but as an artisan (and by no means am I to that point yet).

I hope everyone had a great holiday, and has their New Years resolutions or plans set out. I've already got mine set; it's time to beat some metal.

New Ideas and New Things

Lately, we at Hall Ironworks have been trying to figure out some new ideas for trinkets and creations for easy gift ideas. We would love to hear any ideas that you may have for projects, custom little items, or anything else. Also, once again, don't forget to like us on facebook and share our page please!

Find Hall Ironworks on facebook!

We're now on facebook, too! Lots of pictures (and adding more and more) of our previous projects. Like Hall Ironworks and share us!

Playing at the forge.

We've been playing at the forge lately. Hammering a few things, working on techniques, making handmade hinges for cabinets, and brackets for fireplace mantles!

Finally, finished!

It's been quite a while since I've updated with a post, and I apologize for that. However, on a brighter note, we've finished the fence project we were working on in New Harmony, Indiana. I must say, it is beautiful. Our hard work has paid off. Oh, the client was pretty happy with it, too.

Making progress!

Put in the majority of our posts this weekend. Pretty stoked. Seeing that semi-gloss black fence against that yellow house, and all of the colors of the garden is pretty awesome.

Hammerin' away

My close friend, Heath, came by today. We're working on a project for fathers day. More pictures of that fun little surprise to come. I know, I know, you all are probably jealous of my stylish leather apron. But hey, it keeps the sparks off of me. Finally, after a couple months anticipation, I was able to get back to the roots and work with forge, anvil, and hammer. Working with the simplicities that smiths have been working with for hundreds of years is truly a great way to learn. I say this for a couple of reasons.

First off, it made me realize the time old time blacksmiths had to invest into making even the most simple daily necessities, whether they be needed around the shop or the house. I've started my studies, burning through about 6 books that dug out of the dust file cabinets in the shop. Before the 1900's, most things metal were made in a blacksmith's shop by hand.  Second, and quite frankly, it really facilitates your hands on creativity skills. There's just something about taking a boring, half-inch diameter, two foot piece of steel, for example, and rolling a leaf out of it, veins and all. Before, when you look at that piece of steel, it was warm, boring, incomplete. However, when you hammer it into something, it becomes a warmer, more welcoming object to look at.

Just some thoughts from today.
-Benton

Hand-hammered leaves

So, yesterday, I was out in our shop working on a fence panel, and was getting frustrated trying to make a weld, then I thought back to the simplicity of hand hammering, and how things were done in the old days, and it reminded me of the leaves we hammered out for our last gate, which was undeniably the most fun part. There's nothing quite like turning red-hot steel into something beautiful.


More pictures to come of the finished and final gate. 

Why hello there!

Welcome to my blog. Be ready for some humor. What's been on the agenda for the last few weeks? Working on our iron fence project. More pictures to come for some of our other projects. Table bases, gates, and other fences.