Iron gift brainstorm

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Sublimelysweaty

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Aug 14, 2018
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Hi! My husband forges and our 6th anniversary is coming up which happens to have the traditional theme of iron. I wanted to see if anyone had creative ideas of iron based or iron related gifts relating to his work? Is there a crazy specialized tool or something you wouldn’t regularly think of as a knife maker that you would really appreciate? Any ideas are appreciated!
 
A door knocker for your front door. Can always take if off and take it with you if you ever move (put a more generic one in it's place then).
or
A trivet to protect the dining table from a hot serving dish.
 
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What’s a budget to work with and what if his inventory?
What hammers does he have, what tongs does he have, anvil or swedge block, etc ?
 
A door knocker for your front door. Can always take if off and take it with you if you ever move (put a more generic one in it's place then).
or
A trivet to protect the dining table from a hot serving dish.
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Sorry . . . I was blazing away and misunderstood the question.
I assumed you meant something that he could MAKE that would please you both.
Buying tools for a hand tool crafts person is probably a mistake. He will buy (or make) what he wants.

I know I wouldn't rely on my significant other to buy any one tool for me (no matter how simple) . . . it would be practically impossible for her to do so . . . and I am so particular in what I need (and want) that it would be much better for both of us if she didn't try.

Maybe just go at it head on and ask him what you could do together , involving iron, that would please you both.
 
I wish my wife would get on here and ask for recommendations for our anniversaries. :D

Does it HAVE to be or incorporate iron? Or can it just be forging related?
 
A nice rounding hammer if he doesn't already own. Brian brazeal rounding hammers are my preference but the big blu style is nice as well. If you can find one, a bigger anvil is always appreciated. A swage block is a great tool, as are some of the blacksmith's helpers or fullering dies.

If he doesn't have one, a flatter is nice, but can be difficult to use solo without a hold down.

Does he do blades only or general smithing? if the second, there are a million tools that prominently feature steel that would work.

If he is all knives, you could look at getting a patterning hammer, engraving tools, or a few really high quality files.
 
Iron is the main ingrediant in steel. Knife steel is made with iron...

Find your budget, max it, and just buy him a really nice knife with a thoughtful touch...
 
joedhiggins said:
If he doesn't have one, a flatter is nice, but can be difficult to use solo without a hold down.
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I don’t see a flatter being that useful. One of my favorite bladesmiths says “a flatter is the most unused item in my shop. Thy are Handy to remove hammer marks. I don’t leave any hammer marks” lol
 
I would give him a gift certificate to any one of these:
New Jersey Steel Baron ( Good knifemaking and forging steel)
Centaur Forge ( Blacksmith tools)
USA Knifemakers ( Or any other knife supplier)
Old Globe Elevator wrought Iron https://www.oldglobewood.com/real-wrought-iron-rods.html (The old wrought iron from the Old Globe grain elevator is really nice for both a blacksmith as well as a knifemaker. For an iron anniversary on a reasonable budget, this would be the most unique gift.)

You might haver to make your own gift certificate card to some of them and stick money in the card.
Of course, if he has really made you happy, you could buy him a TW-90 grinder. http://www.traviswuertz.com/ (The Rolls Royce of knife grinders)
 
For the iron anniversary, I second Stacy’s recommendation of wrought iron or gift certificate to purchase wrought iron. It’s the most on point for theme, and I can’t think of someone who is into forging (bladesmithing or general blacksmithing) who wouldn’t be excited about some good quality old school true blue wrought iron.
 
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