This is the third book in a series of three books originally published by COSIRA (Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas). And now brought back into publishing by Fox Chapel Publishing.

Decorative Ironwork is a book for blacksmiths who want to design or make a variety of ironwork including Gates, fencing, railings, windows, stairs and balustrades.

The book is composed of seven distinct designs. And by design I mean an attractive pattern that is repeated to make a large segment that could be a gate, window or fence. The total frame sizes are either rectangular or square and vary betwen 2 feet and 4 feet in size.

The important thing here is that the frame sizes are infinitely adjustable. You can make them any size you want or need. The important thing is that the wrought iron patterns within the frames are repeated. You just make the patterns to any length or size you want.

About the patterns

These patterns are very attractive. And my favorite one is a quatrefoil in project 3 which would make a great window grill.

And one thing that really impressed me is the clever way in which the designs are made. And this is where the book really shines. It shows you how to make each pattern in very economical ways -often using spur cuts from bar stock. For example you can take a piece of bar stock, slit it and cut spurs out on diagonal edges. Then you can curve these spurs out into leaf shapes.

That's just one example of the clever, and no so well known, blacksmithing techniques this book shows you.

A similar technique of cutting and curving spurs is used in my favorite pattern of the quatrefoil. With this project a pair of spurs are cut on the same side of the bar and curved inward. And this pair of spurs forms the quatrefoil shape when the pattern is built. four bars, each with a pair of curved spurs complete the pattern.

In Summary

This is a terrific book, aimed directly at blacksmiths who want some creative ironwork patterns and some unique techniques for achieving them.

Get the book

Decorative Ironwork is available on the Fox Chapel Publishing website here.

It is also available on Amazon.com here

Wrought Ironwork is one of a series of three blacksmithing books by Fox Chapel Publishing. Check out Will's reviews of the other two books right here:

Will's review of : Blacksmith's Craft - An Introduction to Smithing for Apprentices & Craftsmen

Will's review of Wrought Ironwork