Welcome to Starling Forge
The forge was created in 2022, working with metals I explore this skill that’s over 5,000 years old, using traditional and modern methods to shape the material to my will.
‘Need a tool – make a tool’, a key part of the blacksmith’s repertoire and something I particularly enjoy, I also play with decorative and aesthetic forms in the process of making functional items.
I will try and post up the journey here and on my Instagram page and some of the things I make will be for sale in my online shop. This is not a career change, I am a full time handyman – and you can see that exceptional work here.
My work is also available at:
New stool
This was forged from my head without any sketches, it was a nice challenge to work with slightly heavier stock than usual, I had it powdercoated black and the top I cut from a 40mm slab of yew wood, this has been oiled. 30cm diameter and 50cm tall.
A little blacksmiths knife
This was forged from the jaw of a metal lathe, it's quite a hard steel and the blade should hold an edge quite well. Took a few hours to beat into shape and another hour or so to grind and sharpen.
Forged Leaf Keyrings
Forging a keyring like these is quite a process, the heat drops out of them quite fast so you don't have many hits before it's back in the fire. They are made from 8-10mm round bar and this has to be drawn down to the 2-3mm stem, the edges need to be filed to make...
More S hooks
These are popular in kitchens, especially if you have pot racks. They are forged from some heavy steel and will take the weight of a person! Sealed with a traditional hot beeswax finish they will last a lifetime, lots of choice and of course they can be made to order...
More gifts forged
Here is a selection of bottle openers I've been producing as part of practicing blacksmithing techniques, from splitting, twisting, hot cutting, upsetting etc. These make excellent gifts for the person who has everything, all handmade here in Eastbourne and prices...
I’ve been busy!
Loads of new items made this week, including these hooks, super strong and sealed with a traditional finish of hot beeswax. I'm working through different ideas and techniques to improve my skills. If you see something you like message me, if you want multiple versions...
New tong day!
Needed some tongs with more grip (I only have 2 pairs of flats), opted to make these based on 3/8” square bar, but of course work well on round stock too. Not pretty but practical.
Nails
I've made some more nails, mainly as an exercise in old-school forging. The aim is to be able to make a nail with minimal tools in just 1 heat, a 'heat' being a single heat cycle, so from the forge to anvil and tools without reheating for more work. I am only managing...
Heavy duty workshop handle
Not a great start in the workshop today, 1 failed project, but went on to a couple of forge welds, a quick keyring and this handle for the workshop door from some 15mm mild steel. A good day of learning from the disappointments. This bar required drawing out to the...