Vigilance Forge - Q3 - 2026
Updated: Aug 10
Below are some projects completed over the past few months - not everything finds a permanent home on the website, so it's nice to keep a log of what's been moving through the shop
I had two batches of hardware both for 18th Century reproduction cabinet makers out in Pennsylvania - both orders consisted of a crab lock for a chest and hinges, and each customer was very pleased to find someone who could make period appropriate hardware contemporary to their own work.
In early June I was hosted by the Blacksmith's Guild of Western Maryland to demonstrate and teach a class on the fundamentals of Architectural Ironwork, focusing on how to make an assemble individual components into a comprehensive assembly. The piece I demonstrated is an original design for a side table bracket inspired by those made during the 18th century.
One of my clients is a collector of old trade signs - he called me a few months ago to design and forge a bracket for Guns and Ammunition sign carved in the shape of a six shooter. Continuing the theme, I came up with a gun belt and holster design, finding some dummy rounds online to stitch into the gun belt. Scroll work is based off some Austrian Baroque pieces.
Had a few wood working tools to make as well - a set of (x8) 18th century firmer (pairing) chisels hung on beech handles. The socketed fish tail chisel I made as a bench slick, with a slight crown on the bit, and totally flat across the underside. A few sets of log dogs in the mix, along with the largest set of coopers compasses I have made to date, coming in at 22". A few bench tools and another small set of square head dividers.
A few handrails with beautiful bronze paint, and a garden arch also in the mix
Most recently I put in these fire screen doors. A 360 laser is invaluable for laying out 4 hinge locations and getting them all in the same plane. May do some more posts expounding on installation details and processes