[TheForge] Disgusting Ironwork

[Andy Vida]

Ries Niemi wrote:
> 
> There actually are some really incredible smiths in Indonesia, who
> mostly make knives and swords. The Javanese Kris is one the classic
> historic weapons, and there are still guys there who can make one with
> one hammer, a block of steel, and a smoking hole in the ground for a
> forge.

	Some of the Kris I've seen up close and personal were
	really fantastic pieces of work.  Some of them had genuine
	wootz blades whose patterns were beautiful.

> But there is not a big tradition of ornamental ironwork, just
> simple security fences, and good tools, not to mention the money to buy
> them, are rare. Most Indonesian ironwork is very small scale.

	Ironwork doesn't fare that well in tropical and sub-tropical
	climates without diligent maintenance, and even then.  Cultures
	whose people live in nepa huts don't have a whole lot of use
	for iron fencing and all that, so why build it?