Centuries ago, nails were a very important – and expensive – method to join boards for projects. So valuable, in fact, that old homes were routinely burned down so the old nails could be recovered and used in a new structure. Why? Because each one had to be forged by hand by a blacksmith.
Today, nails are cranked out by the millions in factories and sold for dirt cheap. But, those new nails don’t have the charm or period appearance of those classic ones. If you are looking for those kinds of nails, there is a company that can help you with period authentic models. Tremont nails has been making nails in the traditional method using period nail making machines more than 130 years old.
They have a wide selection of rose head nails, cut nails and other period types that can lend a flair of authenticity to your next project.
The funny thing is that blacksmith apprentices start with nails. In the blacksmithing world, nails are among the first and easiest things to do. It sometimes literally is two quick strikes with the hammer to make a nail. So it’s an odd thing to realize that nails are precious.
Pretty amazing when you think about it.
Here’s a great .pdf of an article about the earliest hand forged nails. http://www.gregorylefever.com/pdfs/Early%20Nails%202.pdf