Forging custom iron fencing for the large-scale landscape is designed for affordability with simple botanical detailing and the use of hardware as a decorative element. The sheer mass of elements in the forged fence line needed for this terraced property overlooking the Pacific required mass production efficiency and experienced blacksmithing.

We sliced each picket down the centerline on a jigged-up vertical bandsaw. After the square stock was split, each picket was necked on the power hammer. Cartloads of necked pickets filled the forge studio, but the process had a few more production steps. After necking, the split bar is flattened and flared at the power hammer. Using a cut-off hardy the flair was spilt at the pre-cut seam, unfolding the iron into leaf form. Once opened, the flairs were uniformly hand-hammered open against a jig, ready for assembly. Look online at our Library blog page on www.iceforge.com for some YouTube videos of the power hammer forging process.

In the portfolio images below, you will see an inside view of the forge studio and the stacked carts of elements in production. The massed displays of elements in the forge studio became studies in pattern and design.

The end-sliced pickets formed an impromptu artwork, all the more delighful for being unplanned.

Pickets necked on the power hammer form an array of pattern, with ends like buds ready to burst into bloom. 

The split picket ends bloom red hot in the power hammer dies.

Cartloads of iron flowers, rich with individual texture but precise in form, are a dramatic illustration of the quallitative richness of hand-formed work.

Arching over the Pacific, this ranging fence is soft enough to blend with the foliage as it brings a sweeping view within swimming pool code compliance.