Our Hand Forged Process

Hand-forged isn’t just a marketing word. It describes a specific way of shaping metal: the piece is formed from solid metal by force (hammering, pressing, bending), instead of being cast (molten metal poured into a mold).
vkngjewelry hache Hand-forged Ragnarok Kratos Axe With Carved Handle And Luminescent Runes Hand-forged
Below is what a real hand-forged process typically looks like in a jewelry workshop.

1. Design and measurements

Everything starts with a clear plan:
  • sketch or CAD reference (sometimes both)
  • target dimensions (width, thickness, inner diameter, chain gauge, etc.)
  • sizing (ring size, bracelet wrist size, chain length)
  • metal choice (sterling silver, gold, bronze, etc.)
This step matters because forging changes the metal's volume distribution. If sizing isn’t calculated correctly, the final piece can end up too thin in key areas or too bulky where it shouldn’t be.

2. Selecting the metal stock

A forged piece usually begins as:
  • a bar, rod, wire, or plate
  • sometimes a pre-cut blank (“slug” or strip) sized for the project
We choose stock thickness based on the final design so the piece can be formed without becoming weak.

3. Preparing the metal

Before shaping begins, the metal is often:
  • cut to length (saw/shears)
  • cleaned and flattened
  • marked for symmetry and alignment
If the design needs stone settings or precise geometry, the maker plans where metal must remain thicker.
Hand-forged Ragnarok Kratos Axe With Carved Handle And Luminescent Runes Hand-forged (1).jpg

4. Heating (optional but common)

Many hand-forged pieces involve heat:
  • Annealing (controlled heating) softens the metal.
  • The metal is quenched (cooled) and cleaned.
Why: metal work-hardens as you hammer it. Annealing resets the structure so it can be shaped further without cracking.
Not every step is hot. A lot of shaping can be done cold, but annealing is what makes repeated forming possible.

5. Forging: shaping by force

This is the core of “hand-forged.”
The craftsperson uses:
  • hammers (different faces for different textures)
  • anvils and stakes (to control curves)
  • mandrels (ring/bracelet shaping tools)
  • sometimes presses or power hammers (still forging, because metal is shaped solid)
Typical forging operations:
  • drawing out: lengthening metal while thinning it
  • upsetting: thickening one area by compressing it
  • bending and forming: creating the curve of a ring, cuff, or pendant element
  • planishing: smoothing and refining the surface with controlled hammer strikes

6. Joining

Some designs require multiple parts. In hand-forged jewelry, joining is usually done by:
  • soldering (using a metal solder alloy)
  • sometimes forge welding in heavier metalwork (rare in fine jewelry)
  • mechanical connections (rivets, peened pins) for certain styles
Important nuance: a hand-forged piece can include soldering and still be legitimately “hand-forged.” Forging describes how the form is created, not that it must be one single uninterrupted chunk.

7. Detailing: texture, carving, engraving

Once the base form exists, makers add details:
  • hammer texture or specific “forged” finish
  • filing edges and defining crisp lines
  • hand engraving, stamps, runes, patterns
  • stone setting prep (seat cutting, prongs, bezels)
This is where the piece becomes visually distinctive and where craftsmanship shows clearly.

8. Refining geometry and fit

This is the quality checkpoint stage:
  • making the ring perfectly round (or intentionally not)
  • checking comfort fit edges
  • correcting twist, tilt, and thickness imbalance
  • ensuring symmetry where required
For cuffs and torc bracelets, the maker also checks:
  • opening width
  • spring tension
  • how the bracelet sits on a wrist

vkngjewelry hache Hand-Forged Gold Leviathan Axe

9. Finishing: polishing or intentional raw look

Hand-forged does not equal “rough.” A forged piece can be:
  • high polish (mirror finish)
  • satin/matte
  • oxidized (darkened) and then highlighted
  • intentionally hammered and left more “alive.”
Finishing includes:
  • sanding through grits
  • polishing compounds
  • cleaning and final surface treatment

 

10. Quality control and final inspection

Before shipping, a workshop typically:
  • checks dimensions and weight
  • checks stone security (if any)
  • checks solder seams
  • checks surface consistency
  • applies hallmark/brand stamp (depending on country/legal requirements)

 

What “hand-forged” should mean when you see it on a product page

  • The form was built by forging from solid metal
  • The maker used hand tools (possibly assisted by presses/power hammer)
  • Small variations are normal and often part of the appeal.
  • The piece may still include soldering, engraving, stone setting, and polishing.