Ifyou're interested in the technicalities of iron/steel, here are a couple of websites woirth a look (although nothing on wire-making): the first one is (fairly) brief and to the point, with very little technical language; the second one is translated form German (and loses something -- although it gains a bit too!), and has more technical stuff, but also a lot of interesting historical stuff about mediæval smiths and sword-making.

Steve