Earlier we talked about looking at objects from an art or design standpoint. Remember "sculptural appeal". An item with real sculptural appeal is a blacksmith's cone mandrel. They combine form, with color and texture to make an interesting display piece. Several of them of varying heights on a large table would be awesome looking. They have made it to the top antique and design website, 1st Dibs, so they qualify as legitimate art.
The problem is, they rarely come on the market. Blacksmiths and farriers are a different breed of cat and usually pass things on to the next generation. Forges, anvils, hammers and mandrels stay "in the trade" for decades. Think of a mandrel as an anvil for round objects and work. When a very true degree of "roundness" is needed, a mandrel is used. They range from 2 feet to 6 feet in height and are very heavy as you can imagine. Recently, here in north central Wisconsin, I saw one on a Craigslist ad and called the old guy immediately. It was on a wagon with a lot of other stuff this old farmer was getting rid of. He had everything priced except the mandrel and was taking offers on it. He had turned down $1800 already.
Thats about all you can say about this cool old industrial tool. Simple as can be, but sophisticated as a piece of sculpture. Imagine 5 or 6 of them on a huge industrial table in the entry hall of an uber-cool, high-ceilinged loft or apartment in New York City.
The problem is, they rarely come on the market. Blacksmiths and farriers are a different breed of cat and usually pass things on to the next generation. Forges, anvils, hammers and mandrels stay "in the trade" for decades. Think of a mandrel as an anvil for round objects and work. When a very true degree of "roundness" is needed, a mandrel is used. They range from 2 feet to 6 feet in height and are very heavy as you can imagine. Recently, here in north central Wisconsin, I saw one on a Craigslist ad and called the old guy immediately. It was on a wagon with a lot of other stuff this old farmer was getting rid of. He had everything priced except the mandrel and was taking offers on it. He had turned down $1800 already.Thats about all you can say about this cool old industrial tool. Simple as can be, but sophisticated as a piece of sculpture. Imagine 5 or 6 of them on a huge industrial table in the entry hall of an uber-cool, high-ceilinged loft or apartment in New York City.
If you want to make your own Persimmon Forge will show you how.
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