Awesome Steel

One of the great things about metal is just how recyclable it can be. In this video from Random Hands, he shows how he transformed a rusty old bolt into a shiny new lighter with a steampunk aesthetic. While the reused steel was only used for its main chamber, the additional brass pieces really give it a finished look.

There are time-tested blacksmithing techniques for twisting metal into knot-like structures. But what if you want to tie a steel rod into an actual knot? Paul Pinto shows us how his method for making a tight overhand knot using a combination of bending, hammering, and stretching. The engine hoist trick is a good one.

Stop wasting paper sticky notes, and instead jot your thoughts on this desktop whiteboard. The FluidStance Slope offers a smooth, dry-erase surface, and fits perfectly between your keyboard and your computer screen. It’s got a tray for storing markers, and is made from powder-coated steel so magnets can stick to it too.

Metal Art of Wisconsin makes these awesome steel fire pits for Jeep fans. Each one is laser-cut from 12-gauge, hot-rolled steel, and assembles easily with a tab and groove design. They come in 2-door Wrangler, 4-door Wrangler, and Gladiator variants, and feature removable hoods and roofs for access. (Thanks Christian!)

Westmark Germany’s tempered steel tool easily pops open bottles and undoes screw caps, but it can also temporarily seal bottles, preserving carbonation and freshness for those times when you don’t want to finish a bottle all at once.

This teensy keychain knife is perfect for opening boxes, slicing paper, or cutting twine, and doubles as a touch tool for keeping your fingers from pushing buttons or switches. Its 0.5″ long blade is razor sharp, and stows securely inside of either a stainless steel or titanium capsule.

This very special edition G-SHOCK watch features a black IP finish that’s been laser-etched top reveal a grid pattern straight out of TRON. The square-faced, solar-powered watch features multiband atomic timekeeping, world time, stopwatch, countdown, alarm, and calendar functions, along with Bluetooth connectivity.

ProudPyro’s picnic table kit lets you build your own outdoor furniture with a unique, modern design. Its curved metal plates have cutouts which hold 2×6 boards for the top and seats, along with 2x4s for the supports. It includes all of the steel parts necessary for assembly – just bring your own wood and screws.

Do you have heaps of brush or other debris you need to burn? Skip the burn barrels and uncontained piles. Made from thick 14 gauge steel, Pyro Cages keep fires controlled, and help feed them with airflow thanks to their perforated sides. They come in a variety of sizes, along with optional lids and risers available.

There are plenty of kits out there that let you build a tabletop marble run, but Daniel de Bruin shows you how you can build your own marble track using a spool of picture hanging wire, some solder, and a few household tools. Daniel previously built a room-size marble machine as a demonstration of how economies work.

Easter eggs are usually made from, uh, eggs… or maybe chocolate. But metalsmith shurap likes his eggs really, really hard-boiled. So to celebrate Easter 2020, he made himself an egg out of steel cable. We love the intricate damascus patterns that emerged in the finished piece.

This useful multitool features a sturdy 440C steel blade that works as a serrated knife, chisel, lever, belt cutter, scraping tool, and more. Its G-10 handle scales provide good grip, and it comes with a matching leather sheath. Measures 6.25″ long overall, with a 1.25″ blade length.

This stunning work of blacksmithing comes from Black Forge Knives. It’s made from 1095 and 15n20 damascus steel, attached to a hand-carved rosewood handle. It comes with a handcrafted leather sheath to protect its head when not in use. Measures 21.75″ overall length, with a 6.5″ cutting edge. (Must be 18+ to purchase.)

As metalsmith Shurap has proven before, you can make damascus from just about any kind of steel hardware. In this clip, he melts down thousands of tiny ball bearings, and transforms them into a uniquely patterned blade. Because of their sheer number, they appear to be one of the more challenging materials to work with.

Want to leave a memorable impression with your clients and prospects? MyMetalBusinessCard will whip you up some awesome looking 1.5mm thick stainless steel business cards with a built-in bottle opener and an optional magnetic back. They’re not cheap, but they also won’t end up in the bin like other cards.

For this project, metalsmith Shurap created a gigantic chisel using numerous layers of steel. The oversized tool is designed for woodworking, but is so beautiful that it could just be a work of art on a stand. Watch how the intricately-carved handle was made here.

Craighill’s small, but substantial puzzle is made from four identical pieces of brass and four identical pieces of stainless steel, each precisely machined for an exacting fit. Once assembled, the finished piece is a beautiful, sculptural object to display on your desktop.

Set for Set’s workout tool is inspired by ancient melee combat weapons. Forged from steel, then powdercoated black, each one has a hefty handle with a knurled grip handle. With head weights from 7 to 30 pounds, there’s one for every fitness level. Includes an 84-page e-training guide with ideas for your routines.

Etsy shop SharpAXECrafts creates these handsome and substantial rings from layered damascus steel. Each one has a one-of-a-kind pattern on its sides, and may be embellished with wood, rose gold, or stone for contrast. Our favorite design has a deeply-textured, hammered surface.

Did you know that many bike tires contain a metal wire to form their bead? Metalsmith shurap decided to see if he could extract the steel from eight old tires and melt it down to form it into a damascus steel blade. We don’t quite understand the use of the pepper in the process though.

Alex Dodson of Burned by Design makes some pretty sweet Star Wars fire pits. But if you’re looking for something you can burn indoors, check out this dogfighting duo. The pair of steel candlesticks is handmade to order using laser-cut steel, and will look great sitting on your bookshelf as the Empire and Rebellion battle it out with fire.

This coin-sized metal fidget toy is designed to spin for 13 minutes or more thanks to its precision machining and fast-spinning tungsten carbide tip. The spiral design on top produces a hypnotic effect as it spins round and round. Available in brass, copper, or stainless steel.

Footage from Shandong Iraeta’s factory where they manufacture steel grinding balls. Watch as tubes of metal are heated, then forged into molten orbs which roll down an assembly line before landing in a cooling vat. The music makes it just that much more dramatic.