89 Fascinating Works Made From Metal That May Make You Wonder How It’s Even Possible

Metalworking is intrinsically linked to human progress, labor, war, civilization, and technological innovation. In other words, you can’t really think about our history without considering the resources, crafts, and tools that made everyday life possible.

So, working metal is a good way to connect to the very roots of human history. And yet, when it comes to metalworking, it’s a tough hobby to get into. For one, the equipment you need can be expensive. So, it’s best to test your skills out at a class or event to see if the hobby suits you before you dump a whole bunch of money on something you won’t be motivated to do in a few weeks. You also have to think about space for your equipment, all the noise, and potential fire hazards, too.

Meanwhile, if you want to go further than being a hobbyist, you have to realistically look at your professional opportunities. How will you actually make money?

According to ‘Clay and Steel,’ some of the most common ways to make a living as a blacksmith involve:

1. Creating public art
2. Teaching classes
3. Manufacturing consumer products
4. Crafting blades
5. Creating architectural ironwork
6. Making gift items and selling your designs on Etsy
7. Living as an online content creator
8. Forging tools for other blacksmiths

‘Clay and Steel’ emphasizes how making blades is “probably the most common dream” for individuals who are new to blacksmithing. “So many new students take their first class with the hope that one day they can craft gorgeous knives and swords, retire from their desk job, and live in their cabin making blades for the public.”

The reality is that bladesmithing is a saturated market. You have to be great at showing your uniqueness and value among tons of creators, some of whom aren’t above cutting corners, reducing quality, and lowering prices.

Working metal has its roots in early human civilization, and gold was likely the very first metal used, around 7000 BCE. After gold, Neolithic smiths began working copper, which they used to make some of the earliest metal weapons.

According to Micah L. Issitt, metalworking was simultaneously developed in many cultures. It was a vital factor in developing human society. Initially, metals were only ever found in scarce, scattered deposits.

This all changed in 4000 BCE, when mining was invented. This meant that, suddenly, more resources were available.

This sudden abundance of resources, alongside craftspeople learning to manipulate raw ores, led to the development of new techniques, such as smelting and engraving.

“Archaeologists believe that smelting (the process of removing metal from its ore) was discovered by accident, as early humans used fire to clean and treat handmade metal tools as well as colorful rocks and stones. Heating raw ore produces small amounts of liquid metal, which can be collected and used by metalworkers,” Issitt explains.

“Egyptians used galena (lead sulfide) to produce liquid lead. By 3000 BCE, craftsmen in the Middle East and Egypt had developed sophisticated techniques for creating gold and silver jewelry. Egyptians also developed techniques for engraving soft metals such as lead.”

The next leap forward in metalworking happened between 3000 BCE and 2000 BCE with the creation of bronze by the Sumerians and Babylonians. Later, bronze was followed by iron and steel, which completely overhauled how tools and weapons were made around the world and across cultures.

Iron ore purification was first developed by the Hittites, who used heating and hammering techniques. By 1200 BCE, iron weapons were common, and the metal was also used to create farming tools and household items.

In the 11th century BCE, steel was invented by applying carbon coal to heated iron. Later on, Chinese craftspeople created the process of iron and steel casting. As time went on, iron and steel workers became the blacksmiths of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Things were fairly quiet on the metal front until the 12th century CE with the discovery of arsenic, and the discovery of platinum in the 1500s.

By the 1700s, technological advancements in steelmaking and new tools for molding and decorating metals led to the development of industrial metalworking and crafting.

Tech innovations like the creation of welding in the early 1800s transformed production capabilities.

These days, metalworking goes beyond industry and also functions as a hobby for many people who want to make art, jewelry, and functional items for their jobs and homes.

The ‘Blacksmith’ online group was first forged in mid-2009 to create a space for professional and amateur craftspeople to talk about the “ancient art of blacksmithing.”

Everyone is invited to show off their latest creations and get advice on any problems that they’re facing.

According to the friendly moderator team, everything and anything discussed in the ‘Blacksmith’ group has to be related to forging, smithing, craft-related tools, etc.

Even though everyone is encouraged to boast about their works, designs, and projects-in-progress, you can’t promote your services or brand.

Oddly enough, some people like to take credit for things they haven’t made. Furthermore, if your images remind the mods of items that could easily be dropshipped or imported, your content will get removed. Meanwhile, you might get banned if you can’t prove that you’ve forged something yourself.

Tell us what you think of these designs in the comments after you’ve upvoted your favorite works!

If you had to pick just one metalworking project, which one would genuinely inspire you to give blacksmithing or welding a try? Have you ever daydreamed about working as a smith in a small village in the middle of nowhere?

We’ll keep an eye out for your comments.