Modern Day Blacksmithing: Forged from Fire
There’s a common misconception about blacksmithing—that it’s “old-timey,” a relic from the past. Blacksmithing is certainly an ancient discipline, but it’s one that’s weathered one cultural shift after another, adapting to the times and remaining vibrant even today.
Doud Studios is proof positive: our custom furniture pieces are all forged in fire, developed through a combination of modern methods and tried and-true blacksmithing techniques.
A Glimpse at Contemporary Blacksmithing
Today’s blacksmiths use many of the same approaches that have been passed down over the course of centuries, from one blacksmith to the next.
For example, the work revolves around a series of different heats. A heat essentially means that a piece of metal is taken from the forge, shaped, and then placed back into the fire. The reason for this is that the blacksmith can really only work with the metal when it’s extremely pliable—that is, fresh from the fire.
The blacksmith must move with a particular rhythm, and without any wasted movement: He or she has to remove a piece of metal from the forge at just the right moment, and with clear knowledge about what action to take next. This is why the average blacksmith works on hundreds, even thousands of pieces before developing a kind of mastery—a cadence that allows for maximum efficiency.
Complicating this blacksmith “dance” is the fact that most craftsmen will work on multiple pieces at once, which requires a carefully-arranged work area and all the right tools easily available. As one piece of metal is placed back into the fire, another one is taken out for refinement and shaping.
The use of protective clothing is also essential: Without these safeguards, the blacksmith can easily have his or her clothes caught on fire, or a piece of hot metal fly into the face or the eye. The blacksmith chooses clothing both for protection and for comfort—for ease of moving around the work area in a quick and methodical manner.
Traditional Yet Contemporary
All of this is highly traditional, an art form preserved through generations—yet blacksmithing isn’t just about replicating the past. It’s also about forging bold new styles and the ability to produce custom furniture. Incorporating forged techniques into the furniture we design ensures a one-of-a-kind element in each piece of art. In contrast, most metal furniture is cast from a mold, and is one of thousands. That’s what distinguishes the Doud Studios approach: we apply this highly traditional art form in exciting new ways, developing furniture with a modern sense of style and an age-old commitment to craft.
To see more of what we’re talking about—to discover original pieces that are rooted in tradition but speak to present-day aesthetics—we invite you to check out the online Doud Studios catalog today.