Old West Iron Blog: Craftsmanship, Heritage & Hand-Forged Expertise

Our team is happy to guide you. Whether you're coordinating hardware across a home or matching a restoration piece, finish matters — both visually and functionally.

Whether you're restoring a historic homestead or building new with soul, don’t underestimate the role of finish in hardware longevity. It’s not just about looks—it’s protection, performance, and pride in craftsmanship.  

Whether you're restoring an antique door or simply giving your entryway a facelift, replacing your hinges is one of the fastest, easiest ways to refresh your space—and when you choose hand-forged, American-made hardware from Old West Iron, you’re investing in quality that lasts generations.  

At Old West Iron, we believe in giving gifts that carry meaning and endure over time. Whether it’s a bouquet that never fades or a romantic table setting that becomes a tradition, your gift will reflect the heart and soul you put into choosing it.

Start 2026 with a commitment to craftsmanship. When you choose Old West Iron, you’re not just choosing parts—you’re choosing heritage, resilience, and pride.

Your project deserves more than mass-produced parts. It deserves purpose-built hardware with soul—designed to honor the past and built to hold strong for generations.

Understanding why hand-painted and living finishes are better for your hardware—especially in winter.Explore Our Finishes → At Old West Iron, we’re often asked: “Can I get this powder-coated?” The short answer? We don’t powder coat—and we don’t recommend it for cold-weather climates either. In a world dominated by fast, mass-produced solutions, powder coating is often sold as the gold standard of durability. But when it comes to hand-forged iron hardware, that standard doesn't always hold up—especially outdoors, and especially in freezing conditions. What Is Powder Coating—And Why Is It Popular? Powder coating is a dry finishing process that involves electrostatically applying powder to a metal surface, which is then cured in a high-heat oven. It’s widely used in commercial manufacturing for furniture, tools, fencing, and appliances. Yes, it’s quick. Yes, it’s cheap. But it's not the right fit for hand-forged architectural hardware—and here's why. The Hidden Flaws of Powder Coating in Winter In cold climates, powder coating has a tendency to crack, chip, and peel. Why? Rigidity: Powder coating lacks flexibility. When temperatures drop and metal expands or contracts, powder coatings can’t flex with the material—leading to micro-fractures. Moisture Traps: If moisture sneaks under the surface (from a scratch, nick, or imperfection), it rusts beneath the coating, often undetectable until it’s too late. No Touch-Up Options: Powder-coated hardware can’t be spot-repaired. Once compromised, it usually has to be stripped and redone entirely. In short, powder coat may look nice at first, but in rugged or wet climates—and especially in freeze-thaw cycles—it just doesn't last. What We Do Instead: Living, Hand-Painted Finishes At Old West Iron, we use hand-applied, layered finishes that are made to age gracefully and weather naturally. These “living finishes” develop character over time—and can be easily touched up or sealed again when needed. Our options include: Oil-Rubbed Bronze – a warm, dark finish with copper undertones Raw Iron – ideal for natural patina development Antique Pewter – for a cold-forged medieval look Rust Patina Sealed – gives you the aged, rusty look but protected Custom Color Matching – send us a sample or photo, and we’ll replicate it Plus, all our finishes can be clear-coated or wax-sealed for additional protection—making them suitable for both interior and exterior use. Need Powder Coat Anyway? We’ll Help You Arrange It While we don’t offer powder coating in-house, we’re happy to ship your hardware raw so you can have it powder-coated locally—or we can refer you to a trusted third-party finisher for an extra fee. Just know the limitations before choosing that route. Why It Matters: Finish Is About More Than Color The finish you choose isn’t just about aesthetics. It determines: Durability Maintenance Weather Resistance Authenticity If you're restoring a colonial barn, outfitting a mountain lodge, or building a forever home on your land—your finish should reflect your values. Hand-painted, repairable finishes aren't just more beautiful—they’re more honest, more sustainable, and built to evolve with your home. Shop Hand-Forged Hardware, Built to Last Our textures & finishes page explains all your options. You can also order sample kits to test finishes in your lighting and environment. Browse the full catalog → Written by the Old West Iron Forge TeamCrafting authentic American ironwork from our Idaho forge since 2011. Experience-backed, veteran-built, and proudly Made in the USA.  

Explore our full collection of hand-forged pizza oven doors and create a Christmas Eve your family will never forget. Our doors are crafted to last for generations—just like the traditions they inspire.

Our Quick Ship Picks are in stock and ready to roll—but quantities are limited, and the clock is ticking. Skip the stress and give something that actually means something.

In a season where so much feels commercial, giving hand-forged iron sends a different message: “I see you. I value you. You deserve something real.”

At Old West Iron, we don't just sell hardware—we carry forward a legacy. Whether you're restoring a historic structure or building something new with soul, our pieces are forged to honor the iron backbone of American history.

When off-the-shelf won’t cut it, custom hardware is the answer. From homes with historic roots to modern builds that require non-standard specs, custom ironwork brings flexibility, function, and design cohesion to any project. At Old West Iron, it’s what we do best—fusing old-world craftsmanship with your unique vision. But how do you know when to go made-to-order? Let’s walk through when custom ironwork is worth it—and how to make the most of it. When Standard Sizes Just Don’t Fit Building from scratch or restoring a heritage structure? You’ll likely run into beams, openings, or dimensions that don’t match the mass-produced molds. Whether you’re trying to: Fit iron brackets to 200-year-old hand-hewn beams Match vintage iron hinges for a restoration project Reinforce a custom-size mantel with made-to-measure mantel straps ...custom sizing ensures a perfect fit and clean installation. Our custom mantel straps can be tailored in length, width, thickness, finish, and texture—right down to the hole placement. When You Want to Match a Look or Finish Trying to pair your new ironwork with aged pieces or architectural salvage? With over a dozen finish options and the ability to color match from a photo, we can replicate the look of old-world pieces—or create something entirely new. Common made-to-order options include: Color-matched clavos and fasteners Custom iron signs with ranch brands or family names Brackets and hangers with signature patinas Just send us your photo or reference materials to get started. Design fees apply for custom layouts, textures, or shape modifications, and pricing will depend on complexity and revision needs. When You Need Custom Signage or Branding From ranch entrances to house numbers and business logos, our custom iron signs make a bold and lasting statement. Ideal for: Gate signs and branded entrance plaques Layered silhouette art Cutout signage with precise fonts or family crests Event or wedding signage forged to last Each piece is designed in-house based on your sketches, photos, or brand materials, then cut, textured, and finished to your specs. What to Expect with Custom Orders We hand-forge each custom piece here in Idaho using traditional techniques, which means your order won’t ship next day—but it will last a lifetime. Here’s what to know before placing a custom order: We require a 50% deposit up front for all custom jobs Lead time varies based on complexity and volume Design fees cover the time to sketch, revise, and prep your item for production Read our full Custom Order Policy → For simple adjustments like finish choice or hole placement, we may not require a full design fee—but for all new layouts, logos, or shape alterations, design time is billable. Ready to Get Started? If you’re unsure whether your idea qualifies as a custom order, send us an email with your inspiration photos, specs, and questions. Let us know: Dimensions Desired finish or texture Where it will be installed Any reference photos or sketches you have You can also call us at 208-904-6820 or text photos directly to that number to begin the conversation. Forged with care, made to last—our custom hardware is built for the homes and hands that demand more. Written by the Old West Iron Forge Team — crafting authentic American ironwork from our Idaho forge since 2011. Experience-backed, veteran-built, and proudly Made in the USA.