Tips for Choosing Authentic, Durable Ironwork
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Restoration projects are about more than just beauty—they're about preserving history, honoring craftsmanship, and ensuring structural integrity. Whether you're restoring a colonial farmhouse, a frontier homestead, or a family heirloom, the hardware you choose will define the quality and longevity of the finished result.

At Old West Iron, we live and breathe restoration. Our team of veteran blacksmiths and historical design experts craft ironwork the old-fashioned way—by hand, with care, and built to last. Here's how to spot high-quality, restoration-worthy hardware that lives up to your project’s legacy.

1. Look for Hand-Forged Craftsmanship

Mass-produced hardware often mimics the look of vintage ironwork, but it lacks the feel, weight, and durability. True hand-forged hardware features slight variations in texture, authentic hammer marks, and a sturdy build that modern shortcuts can’t match.

2. Check the Materials: Not All “Iron” Is Equal

Many restoration projects suffer from cheap pot metal, zinc alloys, or steel knockoffs labeled as “iron.” These lack the strength and aging ability of true wrought iron or heavy-duty forged steel.

At Old West Iron, our products are made from solid builder-grade iron and steel, with the option to choose from multiple thicknesses depending on your application.

3. Examine the Finish Options

Restoration hardware should age gracefully—not peel, chip, or rust through. We offer hand-applied finishes that include:

• Raw Iron for authentic aging and natural patina

• Oil-Rubbed Bronze for a classic, warm finish

• Rust Patina Sealed for an aged look with protection

• Custom Color Matching to existing hardware

👉 Explore our Textures & Finishes

Avoid powder coat unless you know your environment won’t put it to the test—here’s why.

4. Don’t Settle for One-Size-Fits-All

Historical buildings are anything but standard. Fastener spacing, wood beam sizes, and mounting surfaces vary wildly, especially in older homes.

That’s why we offer made-to-order options and custom fabrication services. Whether you need a beam bracket that fits your 200-year-old joist or a hinge that matches an antique template, we’re here to help.

🔗 See our Custom Order Policy

5. Evaluate the Source, Not Just the Product

A trustworthy supplier shares your values and backs their products. Old West Iron is:

• Family-run and veteran-built

• Located in the Teton Valley, Idaho

• Focused on historical accuracy and heirloom quality

• Committed to small-batch, American-made craftsmanship

We’ve worked with restoration professionals, homeowners, and preservationists across the country. Our blacksmith-designed collections are built not just to look the part—but to outlive passing trends.

Where to Start: Our Top Restoration Hardware Picks

Explore restoration-ready collections:

• 🔨 Colonial Ironwork Collection

• 🕰️ Revolutionary Iron Collection

• 🏡 Early American Hardware

• 🪚 Corbels & Mantel Brackets

• 🔩 Hand-Forged Bolts & Clavos

Preserve the Past with Hardware That Lasts

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.

🛠️ Browse Restoration Hardware →

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.