10 Blacksmith Railroad Spike Project Ideas for Forging (With Videos)

Like other crafts, there are no true rules that dictate what materials blacksmiths use. Although nontraditional, railroad spikes are common items that are reworked by blacksmiths. Why work with railroad spikes?

For beginners wanting to refine their hammering technique and get more comfortable with the blacksmithing process in general, railroad spikes are a very forgiving, inexpensive material to practice with.

The shape of railroad spikes is also very accommodating for different types of small projects like the ones detailed below.

If you are a beginner blacksmith wanting to create some functional pieces out of railroad spikes, or a seasoned smith who needs some project inspiration, check out the following project ideas and their corresponding YouTube videos.

What Tools Do I Need for Railroad Spike Projects?

Working with railroad spikes requires all the basic blacksmithing equipment: a forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, and punches. For some of the projects listed below, vices and grinders are also helpful.

Other helpful materials and tools that are needed include a wooden handle, chisel, spring swage, and a ball peen hammer.

Alternative tools and techniques are offered in the original video tutorials, so as long as you have the basics, you should be able to complete the following projects.

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List of Railroad Spike Projects Ideas For Blacksmiths (With Videos & Advice)

1) Railroad Spike Tongs

To make tongs, you will need two railroad spikes, a hammer, punch, chisel, forge, and an anvil or another appropriate work surface. Hammer both spikes flat and then create notches in each spike where they will join together. For a closer look at how this is done, check out the original video.

Reheat your pieces and hammer until they take on a more rounded shape. Use a punch to create a hole in the center of the notched sections of your spikes and insert a metal pin to fasten the pieces together.

2) Railroad Spike Bottle Opener

To make a bottle opener you will need one railroad spike, a vice, a spring swage, a slot punch, a round punch, a hammer, a ball peen hammer, a forge, and an anvil.

Begin by marking the spike off at 3 and ¼ inches from the head of the spike. Then heat the spike and put it in a vice and twist the spike to create a decorative spiral effect.

Use a spring swage and fuller the metal down to a ¼ inch at the place you marked off previously.

The next step is to cut off the section above the fuller and flatten the top portion of the remaining metal. Make a rectangular hole in the center of the flattened piece using a slot punch.

Then use a round punch to open up the hole created. Create the tab of the bottle opener with a ball peen hammer and finish with vegetable oil or beeswax. For more detailed instructions and visuals of the process, check out the original video here.

3) Railroad Spike Knife

For this project you will need tongs, a hammer, an anvil, a forge, and a grinder.

Heat the spike and hammer the tapered end of it until flat to create the blade of the knife. Clean up the edge of the blade with your hammer to refine the shape and create a rounded appearance.

The last step is to grind down the blade, and you have a finished railroad spike knife!

It is worth noting that railroad spikes do not make the best knives, but it is a good novelty item and a fun way to practice hammering and grinding. The original video can be found here.

4) Railroad Spike Tomahawk

This project requires a forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, punches, and a wooden handle.

To start, heat your railroad spike and begin hammering the tapered end in on itself to create the end of the tomahawk. Then, use punches to create a hole for the handle.

Working on the opposite side of the railroad spike, where the head is, heat and hammer down the head to create the blade of the tomahawk.

Grind down the blade and attach the metal piece to a wood handle to complete this project. For visuals on how to create the shape of the blade, check out the original YouTube video.

5) Railroad Spike Wall Hook 

Cut the railroad spike down the center with a band saw or hack saw as shown in the video. Heat the spike and hammer the end to draw out the shape. 

Draw out the end of the spike for the hook and work the end into a point. Hammer this pointed end of the spike into a smooth curve and shape it on the horn of your anvil. 

Place the piece in a vice and add a twist in the body of the spike. Split the top of the spike where you previously cut and hammer the split open. Make sure it is completely opened, as this is the part of the hook that will be attached to a wall. 

 Drill holes for attaching the hook, and the project is complete! 

6) Railroad Spike Steak Turner

Heat the railroad spike and hammer using a power hammer. You can also complete this step by hand. Punch a line down the center of each side of the spike as shown. Then make cross cuts using a band saw that touch the center lines you just made.

Heat again and place the spike in a vice. Add a twist in the metal using a wrench. This twist will make the center lines and cross cuts look like cubes and ribbons. This geometric design looks extremely intricate and unique. 

Grind the railroad spike down and then reheat. Draw out the body of the spike to the desired length. Grind again and forge the end of the spike into a point. 

Form this pointed end into a hook as shown in the video. Refine the shape on your anvil as needed. 

7) Railroad Spike Garden Hoe

Begin by drawing out the railroad spike by hand or by using a power hammer. Hammer the spike by hand on your anvil to refine each of its sides and straighten the spike out again. 

Reheat, place the spike in a vice and twist the spike a few to times to form a decorative end of the handle. File and grind down the twist as needed. 

Trace the blade of the hoe onto a piece of scrap metal and use a band saw or other tool to cut out the shape. Grind down the sharp edges left behind by the saw. 

Drill a hole in the hoe blade and attach the spike handle as shown in the video. Grind again to finish this project. 

8) Railroad Spike Spoon 

Twist the end of the railroad spike in a vice to create a decorative end for the handle of the spoon. Draw out the spike by hand or by using a power hammer. 

Hammer out the spoon using a hollow surface and a piece of sheet metal as shown in the tutorial. Once you have the spoon hollowed out, trace its shape and cut it out. Grind down the sharp edges. 

Drill holes in the end of the railroad spike handle and attach the spoon to the handle. Grind again if desired, and your spoon is complete! 

9) Railroad Spike Corkscrew 

Begin making this railroad spike corkscrew by drawing out the tip of the spike to a sharp point. Round out the tip with your hammer. 

Curve the end of the spike around the horn of your anvil and then bend the body of the spike in the hardy hole as shown in the tutorial. 

Exaggerate the curves you just made by hammering them closer together. Reheat the tip of the corkscrew and draw it out more. Then twist the end with pliers to create a corkscrew shape. Reshape as needed and quench. 

10) Railroad Spike Wizard Face 

The artistic techniques taught in this tutorial are fun to learn and can be added to any blacksmithing item. The video provides instructions for fireplace tools. 

Begin by welding your railroad spike to whatever project you will be creating. The blacksmith in the tutorial attaches his spike to a long metal bar that will become a fireplace tool. 

Once the two pieces are welded together, hammer the join to remove any noticeable seams. Reheat the piece and place the spike portion in a vice as shown. 

Use punches, hand sets, and chisels to create the facial features of the wizard. You can follow the tutorial closely or make your own design. Feel free to use whatever tools you have on hand for this project.

Whether you have a small or large collection of tools, you will be able to make your own wizard face. Plus, being a blacksmith means you can always make any tools you need!