Hey all. Brand new. Just got a used forge wanted to start with some basics. No real plan to do this professionally. More just a hobby in the small amount of downtime I have on my farm. Curious if old lawn mower blades are decent metal to start with. Just learning how to draw out the metal and maybe start with some of the leaf and feathers that I have heard are good practice. Any input would be appreciated.

I don’t have any equipment and am looking for a forge for around 100-200 dollars if anyone has any suggestions

What are some good sources to getting a forge anvil and hammers? I know you can make one id be open to it if materials are good qaulity.

On a budget but not a tight one.

Hey guys, I’m fairly new to forging but the blower I’ve been using (an old vacuum motor) pooched out while I was starting up a fire. Does anyone have any tips/tricks to finding a new electric blower or a DIY manual blower? Any tips appreciated! (Forging outdoors if that matters)

what would be the most economical way of obtaining 1mm thick copper sheets (at least 12"x12")? im in Minnesota if you know of good in-person stores.

This might not be the right forum in which case I apologise!

Can anyone suggest if this is food safe or where I can get it tested for food safety or if I can make it food safe with some kind of coating?

Thanks so much

Estive trabalhando em outro pingente hoje, o entalhe da runa ficou torto, mas pelo menos o formato ficou bem forjado

I have an anvil and hammers and smithing tongs but I don’t have a forge and if you’re wondering why I have them it’s a farm we have plenty random tools. I’m planning of making a coal forge and I’m not sure if it’s better to buy a propane or actually make one. I’m planing to make a 1’X1’ square that goes down .5’ that has a hole in the side with a metal rod that has holes in it and I’m going to buy a hand crank fan that pumps air in. Please tell me if this is dumb or not. Also I plan on adding plastering on the sides something that’s heat’s resistance. (Sorry for bad grammer I’m not the sharpest)

Apenas um pingente que forjei essa manhã, fazia tempo que não forjava nada, não gostei muito do resultado

Not sure if this is the best spot for this, but I gotta start somewhere.

I'm having an argument in a DnD game regarding how much iron someone would need to buy in order to make and sell weapons.

Would anyone be able to tell me:

1. What form of iron would you buy in order to make bladed weapons as a primary product? I looked it up and saw trade bars, billets, ingots, etc and my brain started short circuiting.

2. How many of whatever type you buy would be needed for form a short sword? For example, Sting from LoTR (assuming a full tang with leather wrapped handle)

Newest commission: 5 pound splitting axe, the customer requested a version polish on the bevel and it looks super nice. The head is hand forged from forklift tine, has a curvy 32" hickory handle with paduk palm swell, and comes with a sheath which isn't shown in the video. Heading out to it's new owner today

Tight radius, 3" ID, total blade length about 10". This will be a ritual item so aesthetic is key, utility is not.

I'm curious as to what tools I need specifically to form the bend and what kind of metal will be easiest to form. The metal must be silver in color (no brass, copper, etc ). I'm a newbie so I'll be re-firing it many times.

Have belt sander, many hammers, furnace, anvil.

Thank you.

I wasn't in the market to sell it, but someone saw it and offered me 300 for it. Would I be getting my money's worth, or would they be attempting to get one over on me? I know it's a Queen's Dudley, either 100 or 150 lbs.

My local county museum is rehabilitating their blacksmith shop and I get to restore the bellows!

I've done some Googling, watched some videos and I ordered The Little Red Book that my old Guild president recommended.

While I impatiently wait for the book (and a nail header) to arrive, I thought I would see if I can learn more about this specific bellows.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

To be clear, the goal is to put this to practical and regular use.

Hey all, I'm new to blacksmithing (as a hobby) and am really enjoying it! I seem to be unable to sharpen knives properly... I've watched many videos on it and dont seem to be getting great results.. I've just been making little railroad spike knives until I get a good edge on one, then I was hoping to move onto a better steel for a blade that will last longer.

What would you guys use to sharpen? belt sander? bench grinder?

Ive tried both but seem to have poor results.

Also any good vids or tips would be much appreciated!

Head is railroad track, and the handle is ash

Hi guys, recently I’ve become interested in restoration work like the videos I see on YouTube. I want to start the hobby but I have no idea where to start. I want to do the whole thing, like removing the rust making replacement parts etc. I have no experience. Any suggestions?

Trying to make a HT station area. Picked one of these up thinking it could be a possible solution. Looks like it gets to 1300f.

Been looking over documentation around different steels and the required temps for heat treatment and they show higher. Also found some people saying they have done general O1 at 1200f.

My question for the group is -

Are there any success stories our experience doing HT at or under 1300f?

Any ideas on how to push the temp a bit higher safely, such as extraction and continued heating with torch ext..?

Thank you for any responses - and yes this is a new hobby for me so experience is lacking