This is a stamped and forged ladle out of one piece hence the price differential.
They are a non stock item but can be ordered in
Heavy Duty Steel Ladle 7.5mm Diameter (3 inches)
Handle length 40cm Total length 47.5cm The ladle has a pouring lip and is made from one piece of forged 6mm steel plate with round handle.
In a foundry a ladle is a container used to transport and pour out molten metals. It needs to be:
- Strong enough to contain a heavy load of metal.
- Heat-resistant
- Heat-insulated as much as can be managed, to avoid losing heat and overheating its surroundings.
For foundries making small castings, a hand-held ladle somewhat resembling a kitchen ladle with a long handle to keep the heat of the metal away from the person holding it. Better quality ladles have a pouring lip to aid accurate pouring.