A blacksmith shop in 2026 sounds like a time capsule, until you hear what EK Artisan Blacksmith is really building across New Jersey. We talk with Eldad Kaganov, an artisan blacksmith based in Hawthorne, NJ near Bergen County, about the custom ironwork hiding in plain sight around homes and historic buildings, and why “made to order” can look and feel completely different from what you grab off the shelf.

We get into the practical side of architectural ironwork: railings, fences, gates, entryways, and window grills built for real homeowners and real building codes. Eldad explains how metal choice affects strength, longevity, and cost, and why some projects require old-school joinery instead of defaulting to welds. If you’ve ever wondered why two quotes for a railing can be thousands apart, this conversation makes the tradeoffs clear without the hype.

Then we go deeper into the science. We talk oxidation, patina, and why low carbon steel can be a smart choice outdoors. Eldad breaks down what wrought iron actually means, how it was historically produced, and why some centuries-old ironwork still holds up today. We also cover galvanic corrosion and what happens when you mix dissimilar metals like iron and brass, plus how a skilled craftsperson designs around those risks.

If you care about craftsmanship, home design, or simply want your house to have one detail no one else has, you’ll leave with better questions to ask and a clearer sense of what’s possible. Subscribe for more local maker stories, share this with a neighbor who’s renovating, and leave a review with the most unique metal feature you’d add to your home.

Eldad Kaganov
845-533-3294
[email protected]