The History Of Metalworking & Forging

By Author: Benchmaster
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Benchmaster have been manufacturing our top-quality workbenches for over 40 years. Our customers often use our sturdy benches for metalworking because of their strength, durability and reliability!

This made us wonder what the history of metalworking was…

Unfortunately, the core roots of metalworking predate recorded history – the history of metalworking starts millions of years ago, when early humans first learned to control fire.

Forging is one of the oldest forms of metalworking and is still used today – our workbenches are popular amongst smiths and blacksmiths!

The art of forging dates back to 4000BC but it is estimated that the Greeks knew about this technique as early as 1000 BCE, when they used heat treatment to harden their weapons. Metals such as bronze and iron were forged by early man to produce hand tools and weapons of war, the earliest recording of this was in the land of Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and the Euphrates.

The possession of metals was regarded as a sign of great wealth, Greeks even had gods dedicated to forging, including Vulcan, who was a talented blacksmith.

Nowadays, ...
... industrial forging is done with either presses or with hammers powered by compressed air, electricity, hydraulics or steam. Blacksmiths are still present today, they make a wide range of items such as:

Tools – chisels, hammers, shovels, etc.
Jewellery – rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings
Horseshoes
Sculptures
Hardware – locks, keys, hooks, handles, hinges, screws
Whether there was a blacksmith in 4000BC or a blacksmith now, they needed a sturdy surface to create their products on as they were using hot temperatures and extremely heavy objects. - https://www.benchmaster.uk/workbenches

https://www.benchmaster.uk/workbenches