Regarding iron produced in Britain from the
beginning upto the late Saxon period.
Assuming that production was on a fairly small
scale, and an expensive commodity, then a local
smith might be called upon to work and rework
broken and bent pieces perhaps several times
during their useful period before corroding
away.
When such pieces are found, does this reworking
show that it altered the condition of the iron,
perhaps improving it?
I had wondered if the knowledge of improving a
piece like a sword by hammering and bending and
reheating, was gained almost accidentally this
way.
Edgar
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