From traditional forged flatware to funky found object fabrication, learn how to make a set of your very own personal utensils to feed the soul and body. Functional design concepts and a multitude of forging and fabrication techniques will be covered in this class. Mixed metals, riveting, texturing, and forming are only some of the topics to be covered in relation to making a unique set of tools with which you can eat. The class will conclude with a group feast facilitated by your flatware creations! Slides, samples and handouts provided.
From Hand to Mouth - About Teaching How to Make Flatware
by Pauline Warg
There are a multitude of metalsmithing techniques which may be used to make flatware (utensils with which to eat). From the purest methods of forging to complicated mixed media, multi process fabricated pieces, making your own flatware can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Most of the processes and concepts used in making specialized utensils may be applied to broad range of metalsmithing projects.
In making a piece, or set, of forged flatware, the maker uses hammers of varying weights and shapes to stretch and compress a bar of metal until it is manipulated into a utensil form. This is an excellent way to feel the characteristics of metal. Most people think of metal as hard and unyielding. The forging process allows the maker to experience the malleability and almost clay like movement of non ferrous metals. Following through the entire process of forging a piece of flatware gives a person invaluable awareness of the properties and characteristics of metal. Forging is a process which can be applied to many other metal forms.
Another process used to form metal for making flatware is hydraulic forming. This process begins by creating a form out of a plastic sheet. The form itself takes some time to execute. Once it is made it may be used repeatedly. A layered plastic form, metal and soft urethane is placed into a hydraulic press. By pumping the press to 2,000 + lbs. of pressure, the metal will be pushed into the form, stretching it and making it conform. This may take several annealings of the metal and repeated pressings. The process allows the maker to create unique shapes and forms that might not be attainable through other forming techniques.
Flatware can be created by forging alone, forging and fabricating, or entirely fabricating. When using fabrication skills to make flatware, there are two methods commonly used to fabricate non ferrous metals with other materials, silver soldering or cold connections. Silver soldering uses high temperature silver alloy solders and flux to permanently bond non ferrous metals together when heated to temperatures over 1200 degrees Fahrenheit with a torch. There are a variety of cold connections that are commonly used to connect metal to metal or other materials.
Riveting, collars, pegs, prongs, and glue are all methods of cold connecting. These techniques allow for a wide variety of materials with differing textures, hardness and fragility to be combined with metal and remain intact. Found objects, organic materials and keepsakes may be integrated into a flatware design using some or all of these cold connections.
Surface decoration may enhance any piece of metalwork. It can be especially important for personalizing and enriching flatware. There are many methods of adding texture, detail and visual richness to metal surfaces. Chasing, stamping and matting are all processes using steel tools to hammer patterns, design and lettering into metal. These techniques can be utilized without a great deal of experience. With more experience and practice in these techniques metalsmiths can create fascinating surface embellishment.
Other decorating techniques which may be used in the fabricating of flatware would include roll printing, hammering, and resin inlay. These are all cold
processes which may be used in a variety of ways to add dimension, texture and color to your flatware. Having a wide variety of materials to work with adds stimulation to the designing process.
Some very important aspects of learning to forge or fabricate flatware are the structural and functional considerations involved. It is very important for the student to be aware of form and how it can affect the use of an eating tool. Materials play a part in the function and use of flatware. Some metals are not appropriate and some materials may be problematic. These are issues which much be addressed when considering the flatware being made will contact food and a person.
When teaching a class in making flatware, I try to expand the students technical vocabulary in as many ways as possible pertaining to creating personally unique pieces. These techniques have added value in that they may be applied to the art metalsmithing projects beyond flatware. I also expose the students to images of related flatware forms and actual pieces for them to study.
