The Evolution of Blacksmithing
From Hand Forging to Modern Methods
Blacksmithing has been a part of society for centuries, shaping everything from tools to complex designs. At B.B. Price, we have a rich history in blacksmithing, watching and participating in its evolution over time from hand forging to modern methods. We have embraced advancing technologies and metalwork techniques to take blacksmithing from a well-used hand forging technique to a cutting edge technique widely used today.
The Origins of Blacksmithing
Blacksmithing is the art of heating and reshaping metals into something else. It has roots dating back to ancient civilisations where blacksmithing built up and transformed societies. Nowadays, blacksmithing is known as hand forging and is one of the most traditional ways to reshape metal. Heating metal in a forge, it is then shaped with hammers, anvils and tongs, creating the desired shape.
Centuries ago, blacksmithing was used to create essential items, weapons, tools, and horseshoes. A blacksmith was a vital part of the community, providing a range of essential and decorative items. Not only was it s physically demanding profession, but it also required immense skills and precision to produce high quality hand forged results. It is said that blacksmithing was the foundation for many of the forging techniques used today within the industry.
Although advanced technologies have been introduced into the forging industry, hand forging is still held in high esteem in modern blacksmithing. Where a bespoke project needs a personal touch or requires craftsmanship, blacksmithing is a necessity. Many of the principles of blacksmithing are now at the heart of all forging techniques: heating, hammering and shaping, it is simply a case of tools that have evolved into modern machinery.
Industrial Blacksmithing
The 18th and 19th centuries saw the Industrial Revolution, a pivotal point in the advancements of modern blacksmithing. During this period, machinery and industrial processes began to develop, needing faster, more efficient production methods. Traditional blacksmithing could no longer keep up with the demands for iron and steel products in industries like construction, railways and ship building.
With the introduction of steam powered hammers and mechanised forges, this brough about the mass production of metal components. These advancements saw the birth of the forging industry and revolutionised blacksmithing as it was known, opening the doors to large scale production facilities and shifting focus onto mass production of standardised parts as opposed to small factories producing bespoke, hand crafted items.
B.B. Price has its roots in this period of revolution, starting out with a simple forge in a family home producing nails. From small blacksmithing foundations, we have become a wide scale company in the heart of The Black Country, offering forging alongside many other processes such as galvanizing and pressing. From this transformative period of industrialisation to being a leader in forging across The Midlands, we maintain our craftsmanship and attention to detail in all projects.
Modern Methods of Forging
In today’s society, blacksmithing has evolved into a highly skilled, technical and automated industry. At the heart of all forging techniques, it paved the way forwards for the forging industry to now include a wide range of techniques including hand forging, drop forging and upset forging.
Modern forging methods are defined by their precision, efficiency and ability to shape high-quality metal components for industries including automotive, aerospace and construction. At B.B. Price, we have maintained the art of hand forging, but we have also embraced modern forging methods such as drop forging and pressing in order to deliver quality results for our clients.
Drop Forging
Drop forging is now a widely used method of forging when it comes to shaping metals to create consistency in mass production. Using a hammer to force metal into a die, you can be sure that all shapes will be the same with incredible strength and durability too.
Pressings
This is another form of re-shaping metal using a pressing machine to flatten or shape the metal in one or multiple presses. This can be completed on cold metals and sheets as opposed to requiring molten metal, with the impact being a powerful squeeze as opposed to a sudden bash.
At B.B. Price, we utilise both forms be metal manipulation, embracing the modern methods of forging and re-shaping metals to deliver mass production alongside the hand forging technique that still delivers precision and high levels of craftsmanship.
Honouring Traditional & Embracing Modern
At B.B. Price, we pride ourselves on honouring traditional methods of forging that stand the test of time, as well as embracing the industrial changes and seeking to advance our offerings with modern methods of forging.
The evolution of blacksmithing to modern methods highlights the resilience and adaptability of this age old craft. Whilst tools and processes may have changed, the essence of blacksmithing has remained the same at its core: it is the shaping of metal with precision and skill.
If you are looking for a forging expert, speak to our team at B.B. Price today and let us help bring your vision to life with skill and craftsmanship.
