The basics of steel forging occurred primarily during the 19th century and was the origin of drop forging as we know it today. In the middle of the 19th century, for example, the first drop forges for knives in Germany were established in the city of Solingen.

When was forging first performed?

The Birth of the Forging Process

The art of forging dates to at least 4000 BC and probably earlier. Metals such as bronze and iron were forged by early man to produce hand tools and weapons of war. The earliest recorded metal employed by humans appears to be gold.

When was iron forging invented?

Blacksmithing origins first trace back to 1500 BC when the Hittites discovered the process of forging and tempering iron ore. When the Hittites were scattered in 1200 BC so was their knowledge and understanding of basic iron work.