Good Fireplace Tools

Finding the right fireplace tools to use in your home is actually quite simple. For the most part, the basic tools are the same. You will find them listed as “5 piece fireplace tools sets”, but it is really not quite the whole truth. There is usually a set of 4 tools and the stand, the stand is included as the 5th ‘tool’. The fireplace tools themselves include: a poker, a shovel, a broom and a tongs. Occasionally, there might be an additional tool like a fork style tool or some other non-standard tool. Getting them as a set to match your fireplace screen might be a little trickier but you can even get them all as one whole matching set with certain styles.

The real difference in the types of tools that you buy would include the materials you choose and the quality of the way they are built. For obvious reasons, the tools are made from metal. The type of metal varies in composition, but is usually a form of steel. Older tools would have been made of wrought iron or pig iron as it was called. Antique fireplace tools are also available through places like Ebay or estate sales.

With the rash of cheap products hitting the markets from areas of the globe where cheap labor is abundant, you’ll want to ensure that you get what you are looking for. If you are simply wanting a cheap set of tongs or a poker to move your logs around, then going with a cheap import is probably the way to go. Keep in mind that some metals may have some lead products mixed within the metal.

There is a wide array of tool styles to go with as well. Just as you did when you were thinking about your fireplace design ideas, you should consider what your tools say about your focal point.  Styles would include scrolled work, Gothic looking handles and bronzed pieces. Often, this bronze look is not from traditional bronze metal but a finished that is applied. With use, you may find that this finish wears or flakes off. The same may be true of painted tools. Since black is the most common, it is harder to seem the imperfections until your use reveals them. Better to go with a quality built set of tools if you plan on using them for any amount of fires. Since most are simple, single handled poles essentially, there is not much to them. However, with your tongs, you will want to make sure that the hinge mechanism is solid and fluid. A poor hinge joint or pin could cause you problems when you most need it, hoisting that big hot log.

When steel was made into tools long before the modern ability to create alloys, wrought iron was used. This material was very malleable when at its cherry red state and could be formed into many tools and objects by a skilled blacksmith. Any number of tools and everyday items were forged by the local blacksmith. Their place in every town and city was well respected and in great demand. The blacksmith usually had an apprentice or two that did much of the assistance for the master.

Whole crews even used to work together with a ring of men with sledgehammers swinging away at a piece to work it before it needed to go back into the forge. Because large pieces require more effort than smaller items, this necessitated large crews. For example, chains for anchors of large cargo and battle ships were forged by the effort of a crew of skilled men. These all required to be made by hand as no machines were available to do the work.

Now, fireplace tools are not as large and heavy as a ships anchor chain, but they do require skilled hands to craft. A quality made set of hand forged fireplace tools will definitely enhance the look of your fireplace and hearth. If you choose to go this route, you can have your tools made to match a specific décor of your space. You can get handles that are twisted, have a scrolling pattern or are even made with your family initials. These set of handmade fireplace tools can also make a great gift for that guy that has everything.

Tools of this quality will be cherished by any homeowner. With the heart and sweat that goes into making them, every hammered detail and curve can be felt in every use. You can treat them with a fire resistant oil like a boiled linseed to keep them from rusting that also provides a nice subtle sheen to them. Having a handsome set of fireplace tools next to your screen just completes the space beneath your fireplace mantel.