Iron

I’ve worked with steel all my life.  In high school, I learned to weld, especially farm implements.  Then I set it aside for many years.  In grad school, I returned to my roots, and learned how to work with copper, steel, and bronze.  Those were good days, good for my soul.

I love steel because it is so workable.  It is “plastic,” meaning it can be shaped.  If you are not happy with a form, heat it up and reshape it.  Recently, I constructed a forge that I keep in the garage.  With a few gallons(!) of propane, you can shape what you like.  This example is a simple loop, needed for the bell handle for our temple.