Charcoal Iron

Before the dawn of the industrial age, the metal of the blacksmith was wrought iron, made and refined in
charcoal fires. The iron combined with the elements of the fire to make an individual material whose properties
have never been equalled for ornamental ironwork The great wrought ironwork of the eighteenth century was
done in such metal, and very many examples exist today. For example the Screens at Hampton Court by Jean
Tijou, the work of Thomas Bakewell and the Davies Brothers’ gates at Chirk Castle, to name a few.
The close of the eighteenth century brought mass -produced puddled irons. Made in a coal-fired furnace, remote
from the fire itself. Puddled iron is the typical engineering material of the nineteenth century, works well hot and
resists corrosion. It has, however restrictions for cold working, particularly in sheet form.
Charcoal iron can withstand corrosion for hundreds of years. Traditional ironwork is not easy to maintain.
Elements of design are frequently difficult or even impossible to paint This applies particularly to lifework and
repousee) especially where elements are back to back or three-dimensional. The only material to use for
replacements during conservation is one that is intrinsically proof against corrosion.
Charcoal iron sheet is soft and malleable, when annealed, so that a good depth of cold working, and sharp detail
is possible without cracking It is softer and more pleasant to work than mild steel, and responds well to both lead
block and pitch block repousee techniques.
Charcoal iron sheet has a smooth surface, largely free of scale, and responds well-to planishing and abrasive
polishing) making it ideal for the accurate replication of armour and weaponry.
The Real Wrought Iron Company have lately begun the recycling of old charcoal iron and have pleasure in making
it available once again. Sheet is available in standard rolled thicknesses, forged to your specified gauge, or in
billet form for your own reduction.