The Weirdest Thing I’ve Ever Forged

Blacksmithing has this funny way of throwing curveballs at you.

No matter how much you plan out your projects, sometimes the most random ideas just pop up out of nowhere.

That’s exactly how I ended up making the weirdest thing I’ve ever forged. A project that still makes me laugh whenever I think about it.

Here’s the thing, I wasn’t even planning to forge that day. I’d been half-heartedly cleaning up my workspace (you know, pretending to be productive) when I stumbled on this super weird-shaped piece of scrap steel. It was misshapen, bent, and looked like it belonged in a junkyard.

Honestly, most people would’ve tossed it in the trash. But I? I stared at it like some kind of steel whisperer and thought, Could I make this into a fish bottle opener?

Yeah, you read that right. A fish bottle opener.

The Lightbulb Moment

I don’t know why I thought “fish,” honestly. Maybe it was the shape, or maybe I’d just been watching too many nature documentaries. Either way, the idea planted itself in my brain and refused to leave.

Now, keep in mind, my experience up until this point was 90% practical stuff; hooks, tools, knives, you get the idea.

A cartoonish fish that could crack open a beer? Not exactly my forte. But something about it felt fun, and honestly, I needed to shake things up.

Figuring It Out (Or At Least Trying To)

So, I started by doodling a super basic “plan.” I use the word plan loosely because, honestly, it was more like a stick figure version of a fish.

The general idea was that its mouth would work as the opener, its body would be the handle, and I’d add a tail just because it felt right.

When I started shaping the steel, things got interesting.

The first step was turning the bent blob into something even close to fish-shaped.

Heating it to even out the curves took way longer than I thought it would. I think I spent a solid hour just hitting it with my hammer while muttering, “Look like a fish already!”

Once I finally got the basic shape, I had to figure out the “mouth” part. This was supposed to be the area that actually hooked onto bottle caps, but instead, it just looked like the fish was missing a tooth.

After a lot of trial and error (and some accidental dents), I finally made it functional. And by “functional,” I mean it only kind of messed up one in ten bottle caps. A win’s a win.

The Details

This is where things got really fun. With the basic shape done, I added some funky textures and details.

I used a punch to press in tiny “scales” along its body, hammered in some fins, and gave the fish a big ol’ goofy eye.

The final product looked less like a sleek fish and more like one of those cute-but-ugly goldfish you see at the pet store.

When it was done, I stepped back to admire my handiwork. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Did it bring me joy? Oh, you bet it did.

What I Learned

Honestly, this whole project taught me a lot. First of all, blacksmithing doesn’t have to be serious. I mean, yeah, knives and tools are useful, but sometimes it’s just as rewarding to make something purely for fun.

I also learned how much difference a little detail can make. Adding the scales and fins turned what could’ve been a bland project into something quirky and full of personality.

Plus, working with scrap steel forced me to get creative since there wasn’t much room for error.

The most important lesson, though? Not everything has to be perfect. My fish bottle opener definitely leans more “homemade” than “artisan,” but that’s what I love about it. It’s weird, it’s unique, and it’s 100% mine.

Why Weird Projects Are Worth It

Sometimes you need to step away from the practical stuff and just go wild with your ideas. Whether it’s a fish bottle opener or something even more out there, those “just for fun” projects remind you why you got into blacksmithing (or any hobby) in the first place.

Now when I show my friends the fish, it gets a laugh every single time. They point out its crooked fins or giant googly eye, and I love it even more because of how ridiculous it is.

Long story short, if you’ve got a weird idea, just go for it. The worst thing that can happen is you learn something new. And if you’re lucky, you’ll come away with a good story too.