Originality, Quality, Time: How Traditional Artistic Blacksmithing Is Making a Comeback
Author: Ladislav Gulyás, ⏱️ 2,5 -3 min
Material: Metal / steel
Components: Forged hinges, handle, backplate
Fastening: Brass screws
Status: Custom production / Completed
Or 21st-century Art Nouveau
My Philosophy
Originality, Quality, Time ... I suppose these three words best describe my work. In a world where the market is flooded with mass-produced items, I have remained committed to honest, handcrafted work. The hinges you see in the picture were forged in a blacksmith's forge using an anvil and a hammer. You'd search in vain for something like this in a store. It is precisely this detail that best captures the direction I'm heading—creating even more refined pieces, designed for the most discerning customers.
This story also began with a design
I was recently approached with a special request. A client who is currently renovating his country house asked me to complete the space with wrought-iron hinges. I received a simple, hand-drawn sketch—the kind you don't usually see in stores. After a brief discussion, we also agreed on the shape of the wrought-iron handle and the nameplate.
How is it done?
The production of such hinges always takes several days. The transformation of iron begins, as in this case, by sketching the object on a 1:1 scale. The strips are heated to forging temperature and then, using a hammer, anvil, and human strength, "stretched" by as much as 200 mm. If necessary (and it usually is 😊), molds are made on which the individual pieces are gradually bent and then joined into a single unit using rivets.
Just so I don't forget: when manufacturing, the most important thing is to use precise, calibrated reaming pins. This prevents "play"—a condition where the hinges have too much slack around the axis. Is it rocket science? Maybe. Or maybe it's just a matter of practice.Those Little Details
Once the hinges were finished, I needed to make forged door handles and nameplates, which always complete the look and give the piece the necessary elegance. I sketched the design for the escutcheons on paper, then transferred the design to a 40 x 4 mm steel strip. I marked the outline with a small chisel and cut out the entire design. It's always the little details that make the difference, and this time was no exception. I also added grooves along the length of the handles. Making the handles was just the icing on the cake—considering that I've made countless of them (in various types and sizes) over my nearly 20-year career.
Finishing
Before painting, the material obviously had to be thoroughly cleaned of rust and degreased. I applied the primer with a brush. After the paint dried, I lightly sanded the surface with 250-grit sandpaper. To achieve a completely smooth finish without any brush strokes, I applied the top coat using a spray gun. Next came the joining of the metal and wood. In this case, brass screws were used for the nameplates.
A Final Thought
These forged hinges, the doorknob, and even the nameplate bear no resemblance whatsoever to the Art Nouveau period. Yet it was precisely this Art Nouveau (or Jugendstil in German-speaking countries) that marked the last great era of craftsmanship. A period that emerged as a counterpoint to mass-produced junk... A period when artists not only designed but also crafted everyday objects themselves. A period in which everything harmonized and was refined down to the smallest detail. No, I certainly wasn't trying to emulate that style with this work. Rather, in this article I wanted to highlight the fact that production can take other forms—artisanal, meticulous, and as a counterpoint to mass production.
Photo: Ladislav Gulyás Metal Studio