strike while the iron is hot

Posted by ESC on November 14, 2005

In Reply to: Strike while the iron is hot posted by queenie on November 14, 2005

: I would like to ask what is the meaning of "to strike while the iron is hot"?

It has to do with performing a task or taking an action at the right moment. It means timing is everything. The origin is the blacksmithing process. Here is a WikiHow article about making a knife:

Heat the metal in a blacksmith or your own personal metal working furnace.

When hot, pound on an anvil to shape the metal, folding of the metal is a good way to get it to layer properly.

Put it in water and then reheat it slightly to temper it

Make sure you leave room for the tang, (the part which goes inside the handle) so you actually have a knife and not just a blade.
Sharpen it.

If you want to go it the easy way, just use some thin metal and sharpen it on a whetstone or any grinding surface

• strike while the iron is hot Lewis 21/November/05