[TheForge] Pure Iron Update

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

Hi All,
Just wanted to update you on the current status of Pure Iron and the Art & 
Metal Company who distributes it in Europe and the US.  The use of Pure Iron 
in Europe has grown tremendously over the past four years, where here in the 
US, sales or lack of sales volume has caused our host company, Art & Metal of 
Hanover, Mass. to ask that we find someone to buyout their interest and move 
the inventory elsewhere.  They, (a specialty metals distributor) have been 
very kind in allowing the stocking of Pure Iron at their facility and having 
their warehouse crew handle the picking and shipping of Pure Iron for the 
last 2-1/2 years.  There is about 100,000# of inventory remaining and they 
would sell it at cost and throw in the racks, and a Marvel hacksaw if anyone 
wants to pick up the challenge and takeover the business.  We remain puzzled 
as to why Pure Iron use has grown so well in Europe and so poorly here as the 
cost ratio between low carbon and Pure Iron in Europe is about ten times, 
where here it may be around 2 to 2-1/2 times the cost of low carbon.  Perhaps 
a Chapter or group might pick up Pure Iron as a project and make some money 
off it as it will eventually become used by even part time smiths once folks 
realize that the benefits far outweigh the extra cost.  
That's about it, anyone interested please send me a note.
Thanks to those of you who have used Pure Iron, as we put this together to 
supply blacksmiths (including ourselves)  with the most forgeable iron bar 
and sheet that we could specify, and are surprised that it has not caught on. 
 It's good stuff.
Best regards,

Mike Schermerhorn
Pure Iron Spokesman
c/o Kilo-Sierra Forge
Sherborn, MA