Dale Burton is an artist blacksmith and carpenter who lives and works in Knife River, MN, on the shores of Lake Superior. He uses a variety of metals including wrought iron, new steel, copper tubing, and reclaimed metal. His favorite metal to work with is aged steel, which contains natural pitting and enhances the character of the item he has created.
This video shows a glimpse into the process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNTpIC-vt5o