The Blacksmith’s Split cross

The Blacksmith’s Split Cross is an essential item to have in your inventory. Not only is it easy to make, but it is also a crowd pleaser at demonstrations because it takes a short time to craft the piece from the blank. This piece can be made with basic hand saws, an angle grinder with cutoff wheels, chisels and hot-cuts, or a fancy band-saw. I use my go-to: the angle grinder.

I made my first Split Cross in my soup can forge years ago. It is still hanging in my house today.

I start by cutting 1/2” square bar stock into 3” long pieces.

Next, I mark where I’ll make my cuts, which should overlap. I generally measure 3/4 of the way down on one side and a little over a third when rotated.

I tend to batch out the crosses, so you see multiple blanks here.

I make the cuts with the angle grinder and cutoff wheel. As I said, you can use any blacksmith tool for these cuts.

I finish my cuts with the hand saw because I find that it makes a crisper gap. Be sure to use lubricant, which will make your cuts easier and increase the life of your blade.

After heating in the forge, I spread the limbs on a hot cut.

If you get a good heat, you can split both limbs in one heat cycle.

I further spread the limbs over the edge of my anvil.

Finally, I finish flattening the cross on the anvil’s face. Remember to remove the hot-cut for safety. It’s easy to get excited and forget, but it’s better to take another heat than a trip to the doctor.

Then repeat the process for the other side.

Lastly, I cut a small amount off of the top to make the proportions accurate.

In this photo, you can really see the crease in the split which is indicative of the Blacksmith’s Split Cross.

Here is the raw piece ready for any number of different finishes. You can also use a chisel to texture it to look like wood. But I prefer mine to stay flat so that the focal point is the split.

And finally the finished pieces. Here you see three of my favorite finishes: (left to right) rustic, brass, and boiled linseed oil. Even when following exact measurements, the smallest variable can change the look of the piece.

That is the nature of handcrafted items. Each one is unique, and I love that about blacksmithing. Never two alike.