General Information About Wrought Iron
What is Wrought Iron, How to Spot It and Why Should You Buy It?
Hand forged door pull with decorative mounting washer.
Wrought Iron can be defined as either a raw material or a finished product. In years past, wrought iron was a material made in relatively small batches from elemental iron and hammered into billets or bars using hand labor, which were then made into products. Although wrought iron stock is still available in very limited quantities, it is quite expensive and has been replaced in almost all applications by mild steel. Today, the term "wrought iron" is usually defined as an item constructed from mild steel that has been hand made by an artist-blacksmith in the old ways and methods, which date back many centuries.
A great deal of ornamental iron is available on the market today. Some of it is carefully handcrafted but much is fabricated quickly by foreign companies who are most interested in generating "pounds per hour". It is bent, welded, painted and sent on to its destination in the shortest possible time. For example, the classic scroll design is reminiscent of a nautilus or snail shell and does not have a consistent radius anywhere – in other words, it starts tightly in the center and opens in a graceful and ever widening spiral arc. In mass production, a piece of flat bar is cut and inserted into a machine to facilitate bending one end of the scroll. The piece is then reversed and the opposite end finished, which usually results in an "S" or "C" form. These are quite commonly used in lower priced "burglar bars" and are easily identified. Each end is typically cut square and does not bend for an inch or so before the scroll actually starts so the results are not as graceful. Conversely, a traditional handmade forged scroll will usually have the end forged into a smooth taper, small snub or some similar artful dressing that can’t be accomplished except at the anvil. The result is a natural form that begins with an interesting place for the eye to light and continues through the whole visual experience. Few people will pick up a snail’s shell and not admire its natural, beautiful spiral and so it is with the hand forged scroll.
Iron is very "user friendly". It hefts well and feels good in the hand, plus it will last almost indefinitely when minimal care is provided. Unlike some other metals, it is non-toxic and compatible with food. Its natural dark color, which comes from the heat of the fire and the hammering on the anvil, is compatible with almost any décor or style of home. It is truly a universal material and has been used in many applications by architects, artists and home owners.
General Care
Artist blacksmith Hollis Wooldridge shown
working at the anvil at Comal Forge.
Unprotected iron will rust with time and exposure to moisture or the elements. We use durable finishes to insure the best protection and with minimal care, ironware will last almost indefinitely. Many examples of swords, armor and similar things have survived for centuries and your piece is no different.
After forging and/or final assembly, we use a proprietary coloring process on most items, which closely approximates the natural, blue-black hues imparted by the heat of the fire. We gently polish the article by hand to expose soft highlights that are revealed in the texture imparted by hammer and anvil, followed by application of a finish for the intended use. We have found this method to be the most reliable so that items purchased at different times will be reasonably consistent in color.
We finish iron cooking utensils with olive or similar food grade oil. This coating will be removed if the item is washed in detergent or the dish washer so we suggest washing in plain water and wiping with a clean cloth, similar to the cleansing methods used on a well seasoned cast iron skillet. Iron may also be re-seasoned by warming to about 300 degrees in the oven, on the range or over an open fire and wiping with any food grade oil or shortening. Recently, we have been using no-stick, oil based, cooking sprays with great success since they are easy to apply and generally available in most grocery stores. Take care not to burn yourself and after the item is cool to the touch, any excess may be removed with a paper towel or soft cloth.
In normal use indoors, no special maintenance is required for most other applications unless the location is moist or unusually corrosive. Although seldom necessary, items designed for general use indoors, such as wall hooks, towel holders, etc., will appreciate a periodic application of any common paste or liquid wax. Any excess may be removed with a soft cloth. Products that are handled frequently will often develop a pleasing patina from intimate contact with your hands and the protection of natural oils present in the skin.
Ironwork used in or around the fireplace is coated with a reasonably durable finish. The heat of a fire on poker tips and fireplace accessories will typically burn away any sort of coating but it is usually not necessary to further protect these items from rust unless your fireplace or stove is unusually damp during the off season. In this case, simply remove the items to a dry location until needed later in the year. If you wish, any form of similar care described here for other iron parts will serve to protect fire tools. All items intended for outdoor use, such as boot scrapers or plant hangers, may be left to rust naturally in the elements or touched up occasionally with urethane or lacquer. Simply clean and lightly sand the surface then apply your choice of finish. You may also cover any item with paint but opaque coatings will cover the natural highlights of the iron.
Hardware and Mounting Recommendations
Hollis Wooldridge with a finished window arch. All elements
of the arch were hand forged from mild steel bar and flat
stock. Custom painted finish provided per customer
specification prior to installation.
We include black mounting screws in lengths we have found most useful to install our small products. These are the only sizes we offer at no extra charge. However, we have access to many hardware outlets so let us know if you have a special need and we will try to accommodate.
Please do not pre-drill any mounting holes until you have received your order. Although we use shop built fixtures to assist us in hole placement, it is still a process performed by hand and there may be minor variations so we recommend that each piece be installed separately.
We hope you enjoy wrought iron as much as we do and are pleased with your purchase.
Other Information
Please contact us at the following address or phone number. It is usually best to send an email or call and leave a message since I am often unable to answer the phone.
Comal Forge
Hollis Wooldridge
7496 FM 482
New Braunfels, Texas 78132
Phone: 830.608.4491 (please leave message if no answer)
E-mail: sales@comalforge.com - or - holliswooldridge@msn.com
Sales Tax
We are required by law to charge 8.25% sales tax to all sales made to locations within Texas. Shipments made outside of Texas do not include sales tax. We ask commercial customers to supply a copy of your appropriate state sales tax certificate to avoid taxes.
Payment Methods
We accept payment by cash, check or money order. Checks are subject to validation of funds before products are shipped. We will send confirmation by email when your order is shipped.
Exchanges and Refunds
We cannot accept refunds on custom work, but we want you to be happy with your purchase and will work with you to reach that conclusion.
Disclaimer
Other than reasonable standards for workmanship, we make no warranties, express or implied, for use, misuse or abuse of any products we manufacture. Comal Forge manufactures forged and fabricated iron items that are intended for decorative, residential use. Most items are made from mild steel and can cause harm if misused. We urge parents or guardians to keep these and any similar products out of the hands of children unless closely supervised. We assume no liabilities from accident, injury and/or death arising from handling, use or installation.
Custom Orders
We make our living from custom, hand forged ironwork and may need sketches, photographs, dimensioned drawings and a complete description prior to quoting prices. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required before we start the project with the final 50% due before shipment. We reserve the right to decline any order based solely on our discretion and we cannot offer exchanges or refunds on custom orders.
Custom Finishes
Please advise us if you want a rust or other type of custom finish. Our stock finish is natural dark iron or painted black but can provide other patinas or colors and will be happy to work with you to get the look you want in your custom application.
Lead Times
Delivery is dependent on our workload at time of order but usually ranges from 3 to 8 weeks depending on the complexity of the project.
Privacy Policy
Comal Forge does not sell, exchange, rent, distribute or otherwise disseminate names or other information about our customers. We value our customers' privacy and will not violate your trust. We use phone numbers and email addresses solely for communication about active orders and typically send an email confirmation of your order, which includes shipping date and method.