Hand-Forged Nails with Decorative Head, 8 cm, 10 Pack

Hand-Forged Nails with Decorative Head, 8 cm, 10 Pack

Where You Can Use These Nails

These decorative forged nails are designed for a wide range of carpentry and woodworking projects where a historical appearance is desired. You can use them for:

• Furniture Making: They are perfect for building benches, tables, beds, and other furniture in medieval, Viking, or rustic styles.
• Constructing Chests and Trunks: They will strengthen the corners and lids of a chest while also serving as a prominent decorative element.
• Plank Doors and Gates: They are ideal for fastening planks together when making traditional doors, wickets, and gates.
• Decorative Accents: You can use them to decorate wooden beams, wall paneling, or as stylish hooks for hanging lighter items.

The Nail Through the Ages

Before the Industrial Revolution and mass production in the 19th century, every single nail was hand-forged by a blacksmith. This made nails a relatively valuable commodity. Old wooden buildings were sometimes even deliberately burned down just to recover the precious forged nails from the ashes. Furthermore, their square shank grips the wood fibres better and is less likely to split the wood than modern round wire nails.

An Interesting Fact: The Blacksmith's Mark

In the past, a decorative nail head wasn't just for looks. Complex and specific patterns often served as a kind of signature of the blacksmith or the workshop that produced them. It was a mark of pride in their work and a guarantee of quality. The decorative pattern on these nails is a nod to this old tradition.

How to Work with Forged Nails

Working with these nails requires a slightly different approach than with modern nails, but the result is well worth it.

1. Pre-drill a Pilot Hole: Especially in hardwood or dry wood, pre-drilling a pilot hole is crucial. The drill bit should have a slightly smaller diameter than the nail's shank. This will prevent the wood from splitting.
2. Orient the Shank: Drive the square shank in so that its flat sides are parallel with the wood grain, not diagonally across it. This also helps to prevent cracking.
3. Drive the Nail: Use a heavier hammer and drive the nail in with firm, steady blows.

Care and Material

The nails are made from steel and their surface is blackened to provide basic protection against corrosion. When used indoors, they require no further care. In an exterior setting, they may develop a natural patina over time, which only enhances their historical appearance. Try to avoid bending the nails repeatedly, as even steel can become brittle.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Hand-Forged Steel Nail
• Pack Quantity: 10 pieces
• Finish: Blackened
• Overall Length: approx. 78 mm (7.8 cm / 3.1 inches)
• Head Dimensions: approx. 21 x 21 mm
• Shank Thickness (at head): approx. 8 mm
• Weight (10 pcs): approx. 300 g