Jump to content
I Forge Iron

Forging the Hinges for Notre Dame


Recommended Posts

I ran across this teaser video the other day and have been following along as best I can.  Like any blacksmith worth his salt, I can only stand in awe of the hinges they're recreating.  The originals are absolute marvels and they seem to be right on track to duplicate them.  I can't imagine the skill involved. :o

 

From a practical standpoint, I'd really like to know the order of operations on something like this.  I'm working on a door project right now and it's about to drive me batty.  I can't even begin to imagine how to get through something as complicated and beautiful as the hinges they're making.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From what I gather, they are trying to raise funds to complete the documentary film on the making of the hinges.  The hinges are already finished, I would guess, and they don't need money to help in that regard.  Maybe I misread something.  Either way, I think it's definitely a worthy cause to support, and the final product is sure to be even more enjoyable than an episode of Forged in Fire or Milwaukee Blacksmith.

The 'devil' they refer to is who legend says had to help make the hinges in the first place.  Again, I could have misread something, but I seem to recall them mentioning that the hinges were so complex that they must have needed to outsource the work..... :D

From the videos I've seen, it's some amazing skill, for sure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I googled and found the name of the ironworker who made the Notre Dame hinges, "Biscornette." It was said that he was a mysterious fellow, that nobody ever saw him make the hinges. I was told some time ago that these wonderful hinges are not on the main entry, but rather on the two western portals. Legend has it that the workmanship was so exquisite that Biscornette must have sold his soul to the devil to be able to make the hinges.. Maybe that, or he consorted with the devil in some manner.

That might explain the use of the word 'devil' in the video. The two men are not making Notre Dame hinges; they are figuring out the techniques that were used on the originals.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...