Wrought iron

[Tengu]

Now you never know what I may find.

Im told this is no longer made, and is in demand

Is it worth finding and how do I recognise it?

 

[launditch1]

Its THE stuff for forging.Much more malleable and ductile than mild steel and more forgiving at higher working temperatures.
As for recognising it...when i have a suspect peice i cut it half way though then bend it over.If its wrought it will look fiborous kinda like pastry when you pull it apart!
Another way is put it on a grinding wheel and observe the sparks.Wrought iron sparks flow out in straight lines. The tails of the sparks widen out near the end, similar to a leaf.
Most of the stuff i find has a surface like orange peel.Hope this helps.
I have no idea of its value though??Offer it to a Blacksmith.I find mine in old hedgerows...

 

[Toddy]

It sounds different when you tap it too. One goes chunk and the other kind of rings. Like pinging glass and good crystal.
Cannot remember which is which though

cheers,
M

 

[launditch1]

I think wrought goes chunk!

http://www.realwroughtiron.com/about_wrought_iron-217.html

 

[g4ghb]

I understood there was quite a bit of it around still......... though most of it is still tied up in ornamental gates and bridges etc.........

they will probably notice if you turn up at clifton with a hacksaw though Tengu

 

[Matt.S]

Opinion is split over wrought iron vs mild steel from a blacksmith's perspective, especially if they have access to a powerhammer. It was sold in many different grades and the cruder/coarser/cheaper grades (muckbar) can be very pretty when etched. As Launditch points out old farmland is a good place to go hunting.

Knifemakers are sometimes very interested in WI, it can be etched to look a bit like pattern-welded steel. The cruder the iron the better the effect.

 

[Tengu]

Thanks guys.

Who knows what I may turn up?