von Patrick Beck
“The Hard Scrolls” Beveled and Blown-over Leaf by Beth Holmberg
Beth enthusiastically took listeners and viewers through the process of making two types of scrolls and perfecting the work. It is good to summarize that there are different types of scrolls with their own difficulty levels. We only describe the beveled scroll here.
They both start with a so-called 'radius taper'. So not a tight 'flat' taper but with an arc. The bevels, with names for the inside of the curl, are preferably made with a rounding hammer. This prevents damage to the edges and the sharp 'fold'.
A very useful tip: make a paper model of the flat curl before forging it. And fold the scroll into the arc according to the 'radius method' where the fold line = radius always starts from the same center. You will then get a clear idea of how the roll will form on the anvil. Or use modeling clay for this.
When you are ready to shape the scroll, make sure that the centerline of the scroll is always perpendicular to the horn. Regardless of whether you use a round or rectangular horn. And always hold your workpiece flat on the anvil. Preferably, use a mallet or rawhide hammer to shape the scroll. The risk of damage to the bevels is then minimal. When finishing your workpiece, you must ensure that the beveled scroll is made on a single plane. A corkscrew model does not make the workpiece any more attractive. More generally: pay extra attention to the curl and the relationship between the end and the arc so that you get a nicely shaped scroll.
You can read more about making scrolls in the CoSIRA book about wrought iron work which you can find at www.bamsite.org/books/books.html
And practice a lot. Do not use jigs. If you can do without it, you can create the scrolls anywhere.
Beth found 14 very engaged listeners from 7 countries with whom she shared her experiences and answered just as many questions.
We will make another post, when the recording is published.