Forging a Leaf

by drqwrx

15K26211

Intro: Forging a Leaf

These leaves are a perfect beginner project or a great demo piece for showing people basic forge technique.

STEP 1: Step 1: Gather Your Tools & Material

For this project you'll need basic forging gear:

  • hammer
  • tongs capable of gripping smaller parts
  • hot chisel
  • anvil cutoff tool (hardy)
  • a forge
  • an anvil

and some 1/4" to 1/2" bar. I'm using 3/8" round bar mild steel.

I'm using an induction forge at YuKonstruct. It runs off angry pixie dust and makes an annoying beeping noise! It's great for heating up small bars!

STEP 2: Step 2: Make a Point.

After heating your bar up, hammer a four sided point on it. Be sure to hold it on a bit of an angle to get an angle on both sides.

STEP 3: Step 3: Forge the Intersection Between Leaf and Stem

While holding the point just off the face of the anvil, hammer down half on, half off the anvil. This will create a shoulder in the material. Do this on two sides, 90 degrees to one another.

STEP 4: Step 4: Clean Up Your Corners.

Most leaves have round corners so your should too! Knock the sharp points off the bulb you created in the last step.

STEP 5: Step 5: Flatten Your Leaf Out.

BAM BAM BAM!!!! Here's the fun part, hammer down on the bulb of your leaf. Using the sides of the face of the anvil forge a slight angle on both sides of the face of the leaf allowing for a bit of a ridge to form in the center.

STEP 6: Step 6: Cut Some Veins in Your Leaf.

Using a rounded hot chisel, forge some veins in the face of your leaf.

STEP 7: Step 7: Cut Your Leaf Off the Bar.

Using a hot cut, hammer most of the way through on both sides and then break off with a pair of tongs. This saves you from hitting the hammer on the hot cut, and also stops your piece from flying off and burning your shop down.

STEP 8: Step 8: Forge Your Stem Out.

Using the tongs continue to work your stem out.

STEP 9: Step 9: Add a Point and Round Over.

Forge the stem down into a dull point and then first hammer into a octagon and then hammer round.

STEP 10: Step 10: Form a Little Pig Tail and Form a Ring.

Round over the very tip of the stem to create a little pig tail, this stops it from poking into people. Then forge a back curve to center the curve on the leaf, and then continue to forge your stem into a ring.

STEP 11: Step 11: Clean Up Your Leaf.

While the leaf is still hot scrub it with a wire brush to get a nice shine on it.

STEP 12: Step 12: Apply a Finish and Your Done !

I like to apply a bit of beeswax while it's still warm. Your done! Hurruzzals!

11 Comments

MrGreenFox 8 years ago

To give it some character grab a piece of wood and a ball peen hammer, take your leaf (before you do the scroll) place it vein side down and give a couple of smacks with the ball peen on the back of the leaf, it will give it a more natural look. Great Instructable

jcarter35 5 years ago

Stumps make great "wood anvils". You can also use them to adjust your piece without marking the pattern if you use a wooden or leather mallet.

jw2583 8 years ago

I will be trying this soon. very well explained on "how to" of this item. Thumbs UP!

M3G 8 years ago

Very informative, great first instructable! I wish I had access to a forge so I could make these!

azimnoch 8 years ago

Check out this awesome Instructable. its a simple forge


https://www.instructables.com/id/Itty-Bitty-Mini-Forge

M3G 8 years ago

Awesome, thanks!

Chefbillys 8 years ago

New to smithing great instructable hope to see more

seamster 8 years ago

This is a fantastic tutorial! The finished leaf looks excellent.

drqwrx 8 years ago

Hurry and finish it!!!!

We're very spoiled with the induction forge. It doesn't work for everything, but it's great on small things like the leaves.