Introduction[]
This article shows a very simple method for foring the claw from one thick piece of rectangular steel. Alternative methods have been described here:
The process step-by-step[]
Start from a piece of rectangular steel of sufficient thickness:
Forge the end so that it's roughly twice as wide as it's thick:
Split the end, preferably with a hot chisel like here:
Bend the halves outwards:
Forge the halves thinner and to either round or square cross-section:
Finally bend the halves perpendicular to the core of the claw, but leaving sufficient space for the end of the bolt between them:
Now bend the halves ("fingers") steeply downwards:
Finally grind or file the fingers to correct shape.