Hooks and S-Hooks

Why hooks first

Hooks use the core skills - tapering, scrolling, bending, punching - in a small, forgiving piece of mild steel that’s useful when done. Trade-school texts start students the same way, with bent and hooked shapes ¹.

An S-hook

Stock: 1/4-inch (6 mm) round mild steel, about 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) for a 4-inch hook.

1. Taper one end: forge a square taper about 1 inch long at a bright orange, then octagon and round it (see Drawing Out).
2. Scroll the tip: curl a tight, small scroll over the anvil edge or with round-nose pliers at heat.
3. Repeat on the other end, holding the hot end with tongs.
4. First bend: heat one half and bend it over the horn into a C, the scroll facing outward.
5. Second bend: heat the other half and bend the opposite way to make the S. Bend at a high heat and only where you want the curve (see Bending and Scrolling) ².
6. True it up: flatten it on the face so it lies in one plane, and adjust the opening.

Optional: give the middle a twist - heat it evenly, clamp one end in the vise, and turn with tongs or a wrench - after squaring that section.

A wall hook

Stock: 3/8-inch square, about 8 inches.

1. Flatten the mounting end into a tab by drawing it out wide with the hammer face, about 1/8 inch thick.
2. Punch two screw holes in the tab at a yellow heat, over the pritchel, and round the tab’s end (see Punching and Drifting).
3. Taper the other end to a point and curl a small scroll or a ball.
4. Bend the hook up from the tab with a right-angle bend near the top and a curve below.
5. Twist a squared section between tab and hook for decoration.

Finishing

Wire-brush off scale while the piece is hot. Then, with the steel at about 300-400°F (too hot to touch, not glowing), rub on beeswax or paste wax, or wipe on linseed oil; it smokes, then cures to a durable dark finish. Buff when cool. For outdoors, use paint or a rust-resistant clear finish.

What to take from this

An S-hook from 1/4-inch round practices tapering, scrolling, and bending: taper and curl both ends, bend one half into a C over the horn, bend the other half the opposite way, and flatten it true. A wall hook adds a flattened, punched tab. Finish mild steel by brushing off scale and rubbing wax or oil onto warm steel.