Historical skewers and a pork roast

Solid skewers

My skewers seem to be big and bold. 

They are not the size asian industry has imposed on us. They are not mere heavy wire. They are one quarter inch steel. It is a superior size. It does yield a superior skewer.

That size makes it a real tool in the hand. It does not roll when piercing meat. It does not slip either. You can push through easily.

The skewer holder has its arms full...

They also work æsthetically. They are nice to look at. They are different from what is sold in commerce. They look like ... well what skewers ought to look like...

Historical skewers

That is if we believe Alex Bealer in his "The Art of Blacksmithing" (page 273):

Among the more attractive and interesting items made for the kitchen by medieval and later smiths were meat skewers and skewer holders. The skewers, in simplest form, are only 1/4-inch or 3/16-inch rods or square bars 7- or 8- inches long...

And a shorter version? 

Trussing needle
and a skewer similar with its double twist
to the one Bealer admired a page later.

I also forge a shorter version. 

They are very efficient as trussing needles. These permit to easily close with string the opening of a stuffed bird or to tie the side of a pork roast you have split and opened like a book and stuffed with a lot of garlic, some salt, a lot of pepper (freshly ground is better) and the same amount of rosemary and a little olive oil all around and garlic slices you insert outside and its ready when odors get out of the oven and talk to you...

Getting back to the anvil, to the hammer

For some time now, an accident prevents me from forging.

But I will get there shortly. That I make sure of. I clean the path that leads to the anvil, to the hammer.

First, you go along my wife's painter's studio

The forge is around the bend, on the left

Almost there

The doors just wait to be opened

I had to make another fire poker

A client asked for a fire poker. I offered the simple one I forge and sell at a minimal price thinking that every fire place needs one of my pokers as do outdoor fires.

A simple and may  I say 
" to the point" fire poker 

I was asked rather to adapt the cube twist handles I forge for cabinet hardware.

These cube twists make lovely handles 
and generate numerous  how-d'-you-do-that-?.

Done.

And the client asked for a longer one, same design, to poke outdoor fires.

This fire poker is forged in a 1/2" steel bar. It's a hefty poker.

It is also all business and very efficient with it's double hook pushing and pulling logs in the right place. And I think it's nice to look at.

You may find explanations of the cube twist  on the following site IForgeIron.com or if you would rather write to me it will be a pleasure to explain.