[TheForge] Hinges (was: Iron Work at U of Pitt)

[George Dixon]

The manner in which the hinge material is spread is called 'feathering'. 
 The hinge starts
as heavy stock.  The 'bosses', or seemingly raised blocks represent 
original thickness.  The hinge strap is forged down, but left 
structurally thick, to carry the door.  The hinge finial is much thinner 
than the strap.  It is the result of feathering the hinge stock. This 
means that the stock on the end of a hinge bar is forged so that it is 
thicker in the center and gets thinner toward the edge.  feathering 
spreads the stock.   The chisel cut work on the finial of the hinge is 
done in metal forged down to near sheet in thinness.

Yellin treated iron like clay.  

G Dixon