We often get asked what exactly is the difference between a hand forged gate and a fabricated version. Of course both are gates and both have their place, however the real difference is in the details. For example how the gate is joined, textured, and finished.
Modern Fabricated Gates: Built by Assembly
Fabricated gates are constructed using modern industrial methods. Steel is often bought in standard, pre-rolled shapes, cut to size, and joined together using a variety of electric welding processes. Decorative components, like scrolls or finials, are typically mass-produced, ordered from a supplier, and welded into place. The result is often a highly functional and uniform gate, but the process is fundamentally about assembling pre-made parts rather than shaping or forging the material.
Hand-Forged Gates: Shaped by Heat and Hammer
Hand-forged gates rely on traditional blacksmithing techniques. Instead of just cutting and welding, we heat the steel in a forge or gas furnace until it is malleable, then work it under large forging hammers or if the material is smaller, forging by hand at the anvil. The steel is fundamentally changed, tapers are forged, and square sections often become rounds
This process physically alters the material. Forged iron carries the natural, subtle texture of hammer marks, a detail machines cannot replicate. Because every element is shaped by hand and eye, no two pieces are exactly identical.
Traditional Joinery
One of the clearest technical differences is how the gate is held together. While fabrication uses electric welds, traditional blacksmithing turns the joinery into a feature of the design:
- Punched Holes: Instead of using a drill, a blacksmith splits the hot iron to create a seamless opening for another bar to pass through. Not only is this incredibly strong but its a ]n attractive feature in the design.
- Rivets and Collars: Pieces are bound together using hot rivets or wrapped with steel collars. As the hot collar cools, it shrinks, clamping the joint together with immense strength.
- Mortise and Tenon: Similar to timber framing, hot steel can be forged to interlock precisely.
The Value of the Handmade
Ultimately, a fabricated gate is made by cutting and welding and often uses off the shelf components, while a hand-forged gate is sculpted from raw material. When you choose a hand-forged piece, you are investing in structural integrity, traditional craftsmanship, and a bespoke design made entirely by the makers hands.