Pro tip: I just found out how many old railroad spikes get tossed every year

I was reading a local history blog about the old rail line near my town, and it mentioned that thousands of spikes get pulled and replaced annually. It got me thinking about all that free, high carbon steel just waiting to be forged into something new. Has anyone here had good luck working with reclaimed spikes for tools or decorative pieces?

3 comments

3 Comments

troy_ross2mo ago

Wow, that's a ton of metal. But have you thought about the rust? I mean, old spikes buried for decades get this crazy, pitted texture. You could leave that finish on purpose for garden art, like a rusty leaf or a twisted tree sculpture. That natural decay tells a story a clean new bar just can't.

cooper.viola2mo ago

Read an article about controlled rusting. They called it a patina finish, like a protective skin. That natural texture could really make garden pieces stand out.

park.troy3d ago

Build on that patina idea, especially for garden art. You can even speed up the rusting process with a simple vinegar and salt spray to get that orange-brown color fast. Then seal it with a matte clear coat so it doesn't stain your patio or clothes if you lean on it. That pitted texture looks amazing on a spiral metal stake next to some ferns, or on a big metal dragonfly silhouette. Have you tried any of those accelerated rust formulas to get the look without waiting years?