At Old West Iron, we’ve built our business on tradition—traditional values, traditional craftsmanship, and traditional ironwork forged the old-fashioned way. From the first strike of the hammer to the final packaging of a hand-forged hinge or bolt, every part of our process is rooted in something we believe in deeply: American-made craftsmanship.

In today’s world of mass production, two-day shipping, and imported everything, choosing to make our hardware here in the United States isn’t just uncommon—it’s rare. But to us, it’s not a marketing angle. It’s a matter of principle.

What “American-Made” Means to Us

For some companies, “American-made” is a buzzword. For us, it’s a promise.

We don’t outsource our craftsmanship overseas. We don’t cut corners to reduce costs at the expense of quality. And we certainly don’t compromise on the standards passed down from generations of American blacksmiths, builders, and homesteaders.

Being American-made means:

• Employing local craftsmen and veterans

• Supporting U.S.-based supply chains and small forges

• Maintaining strict quality control from start to finish

• Delivering heirloom-grade products that represent the best of American workmanship

When you buy from Old West Iron, you’re not just purchasing hardware. You’re investing in jobs for skilled tradesmen, supporting rural families, and helping us carry forward the legacy of American blacksmithing.

Why It’s Rare—and Why We Still Do It

The truth is, it’s not easy to keep production stateside. Labor is more expensive. Lead times are longer. Materials cost more. That’s exactly why so many companies have moved their forging, casting, and finishing overseas—but that’s also why we won’t.

We believe in standing firm. We believe in paying fair wages. We believe in working with other small American blacksmith shops through our Blacksmith Partnership Program. And we believe in quality over quantity, every time.

Because when you hold a product that was truly made with care—one that hasn’t touched an assembly line or been stamped out by the thousands—it shows. In the weight. In the finish. In the fit. And in the knowledge that your hardware was made not in a factory abroad, but by a neighbor, a veteran, or a craftsman who still believes in doing things right.

Craftsmanship That Reflects Our Country’s Spirit

America was built by hands like these—the hands of blacksmiths who forged horseshoes at dawn, door hinges by noon, and plow parts in the dark after dinner. That spirit of self-reliance, durability, and pride in a job well done still fuels everything we make.

Our hand-hammered iron straps, custom structural brackets, and vintage-inspired bolts aren’t just pieces of hardware. They’re the continuation of a story—one that stretches back to wagon wheels, frontier towns, and the birth of the American homestead.

In short: we don’t make hardware that’s meant to blend in. We make hardware that’s meant to last, meant to be handed down, and meant to represent the values we live by.

Still Forging Ahead—Right Here at Home

At a time when most people don’t know where their tools or fixtures come from, we’re proud to say: ours come from right here. From our shop in rural Idaho to the front porches, ranch gates, and barn doors of customers across the country.

Being American-made might be rare these days. But we believe it’s worth it.

See the Difference in American-Made Hardware »

Maddison Mellem
Writing from the forge at Old West Iron