Forged goods
Forged items are among the oldest handcrafted products in human history — and in the Middle Ages they were simply indispensable: for building houses, the kitchen hearth, chests and doors. Here you will find hand-forged steel pieces that bring this craft to life — from hinges and cauldron saws to twisted boundary posts for camps.
The art of blacksmithing in the Middle Ages: a craft between everyday life and status
In the medieval village, the blacksmith was no ordinary craftsman — he was one of the few who could transform raw materials into indispensable everyday objects. Without his work, there would have been no ploughshares, no horseshoes, no door hinges and no chest bolts. In castles and towns, specialist blacksmiths worked to meet the needs of the nobility, the Church and the military; in the countryside, the village blacksmith served the entire community.
The art of blacksmithing is based on a simple yet effective principle: iron or steel is heated in a fire until it glows red-hot or white-hot, until the metal becomes malleable. The blacksmith then works it on the anvil with a hammer — stretching, bending, punching or twisting it — and finally quenches the finished piece in water or oil to set its hardness and shape. This hot-forming process has remained essentially unchanged since the Iron Age.
In the Middle Ages, fittings and hinges on chests signalled far more than mere functionality: elaborately designed ironwork on furniture and doors was a visible sign of wealth. The denser and more ornate the fittings, the higher the owner’s social standing. Wrought iron was expensive — and was therefore carefully maintained.
What types of smiths were there in the Middle Ages?
Blacksmith
The blacksmith produced everything a village or castle needed to function: nails, hooks, fittings, hinges, cauldrons, tools and building components. He was the most common type of blacksmith — and his craft forms the basis for most of what is today regarded as ‘medieval blacksmith’s work’.
Farrier & armourer
The farrier was indispensable for travel and warfare — without shod horses, there would be no trade routes and no transport. The armourer and armour-maker, on the other hand, crafted blades and pieces of armour, often working for years for a single client. Both professions required years of training and were held in particularly high regard.
Locksmiths & mythical smiths
From the High Middle Ages onwards, the locksmith established itself as an independent trade — specialising in locks, bolts and fine metalwork. Blacksmiths also have a firm place in the world of legends: Wieland the Smith from Germanic tradition is regarded as a divine master of his craft. In the Nibelungen saga, Mime is the smith who instructs the young Siegfried — the name Mime there refers to the hero’s teacher.
Cauldron saws, poles and camp equipment: forged items for the military camp
Anyone running an authentic cooking station at a medieval market or re-enactment event will find it hard to do without functional blacksmith’s tools. The cauldron stand — also known as a ‘hale’ — is a key tool: it allows the height of the cauldron to be adjusted over an open fire without having to remove the cauldron. The version available in our range is designed for cauldrons up to approx. 10 litres and is made of steel so that it can withstand direct heat. We also recommend suitable cookware from our range to complement this.
Another type of blacksmith’s work for the camp is the twisted steel rod, 170 cm in length: the piece is shaped by hot twisting in a typical medieval style and serves as a visual boundary for the camp — at markets and events as well as a decorative element at home. Both pieces are made of 100% steel and are suitable for outdoor use. Those wishing to fully equip their camp will find useful additions in the Skins & Blankets and Wooden Goods categories.
Overview: Forged product groups in the range
Forged candlesticks combine functionality with medieval aesthetics. They are equally suitable for use in the camp or as a decorative element at home. The visible hammered finish makes each piece unique.
Dungeon items such as wrought-iron handcuffs and shackles are a popular prop for theatre, film and LARP scenarios. The pieces are decoratively designed but robust enough for repeated use.
Wrought iron cookware for open fires is a classic category of camping equipment. The pieces are heat-resistant, durable and historically authentic — whether in a re-enactment context or at a medieval market.
Forged iron door knockers serve both as decorative objects and functional fittings. Their rustic appearance complements wooden doors, chests and entrances at events.
Rustic tongs for the hearth, hooks, nails, fittings and locks — this group comprises the basic craft materials of everyday medieval life. Hand-forged nails, for example, differ significantly from industrially manufactured ones: they are irregular in shape and thickness, making them indispensable for authentic camp structures and chests.
Medieval scissors in a bow shape are historically documented tools dating back to the early Middle Ages. In re-enactment, they serve as both a prop and a practical item — for example, for cutting fabric or herbs.
Authentic or decorative? How to find the right piece
- Functional durability is key
- Historical models based on archaeological finds and sources
- 100% steel — no cast iron, which can break brittlely under stress
- Visible hammered finish as a mark of authenticity
- Regular light oiling protects against surface rust, particularly when used outdoors
- Visual impact is the main focus
- Industrially manufactured versions are often cheaper and more uniform
- Hand-forged pieces appear more natural due to their irregularities
- Also suitable for film, theatre and museum use
- Care is similar: store in a dry place, oil lightly if necessary
Forged fittings and hinges: function and appearance in stock
Hand-forged hinges — also known as chest hinges or door hinges — are among the most versatile items in the range. With a total length of approx. 24 cm, they fit standard medieval chests and storage boxes; however, they can also be fitted to wooden doors and chests. They are available as single items or in sets of two, with prices ranging from approx. 14 to 28 euros net.
The material is 100% steel throughout — hand-forged in the medieval style. The visible hammered finish is not a flaw, but the characteristic feature of genuine blacksmithing: no two pieces look exactly alike. For a complete chest fit-out, these hinges can be easily combined with hooks, nails and other fittings from the range. If you wish to fully equip your storage chest, you will also find suitable accessories in the Medieval Storage Supplies and Other Storage Supplies categories.
Whether it’s a hand-forged hinge for your storage chest, a cauldron saw for your next military camp, or a twisted steel rod as an authentic boundary marker — find the item that suits your project, and if you have any questions, feel free to check the subcategories or give us a call directly.
Frequently asked questions
In the Middle Ages, there were several specialised blacksmithing trades: the general blacksmith produced everyday items such as nails, hooks, fittings and tools. The farrier was responsible for horse care and travel arrangements. The armourer and the armourer’s assistant produced blades and parts of armour. From the High Middle Ages onwards, the locksmith established himself as a separate trade specialising in locks, bolts and fine metalwork.
Medieval blacksmithing was based on the principle of hot working: iron or steel was heated in a fire until it was red-hot or white-hot, at which point it became malleable. The blacksmith worked the glowing metal on the anvil with a hammer and tongs — stretching, bending, punching or twisting it as required. The piece was then quenched in water or oil to set its hardness and shape. The basic principle of this process has remained virtually unchanged since the Iron Age.
In Germanic mythology, Wieland the Smith is regarded as the most famous mythological blacksmith — he is portrayed as a master of his craft with supernatural talent, whose works of art surpassed even those of the gods. In ancient mythology, Hephaestus (Greek) and Vulcan (Roman) fulfil this role. Both figures demonstrate the high status blacksmiths held in the imagination of ancient cultures.
In the Nibelungen saga, the blacksmith is called Mime. He is the mentor of the young hero Siegfried and teaches him the art of blacksmithing. Mime is one of the central figures of the Germanic heroic saga and also appears in Richard Wagner’s opera cycle ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’.
Hand-forged iron and steel are particularly prone to surface rust when exposed to moisture — this is not a quality defect, but a characteristic of the material. To care for the items, simply rub them regularly with a thin layer of a neutral oil (e.g. linseed oil or machine oil). Items used outdoors — such as campsite boundaries or cooking accessories — should be stored in a dry place after use. Light rust can be removed with fine steel wool, after which the item should be re-oiled immediately.