Can you make a bushcraft style knife without a forge or anvil? This is the challenge I set up for myself when I started writing DIY Knife Making - Bushcraft Knives earlier this year (January 2020). The short answer is: Yes, you absolutely can. The part of the process that usually trips people up is the Hardening. Hardening in knife making takes quite a bit of heat to pull off correctly. Forges can reach that temperature very easily and quickly, but the downside is forges can be expensive to buy or build sometimes (time-consuming more than anything). The way to get around the need for a ..read more

Have you ever wondered how much blacksmiths actually make? Or if it's possible to make a living as a blacksmith? In this post, I've gathered research and first-hand experience to answer these questions. Quick Note: I realize that many people consider it poor taste to talk about money. If this makes you uncomfortable, I understand. I personally enjoy talking about salaries and job growth rates (one of my favorite websites is the Bureau of Labor Statistics). So for those of you who want to know the answer, let's get into it! Blacksmith Pay Varies...A LotThe blacksmithing industry is very ..read more

When it comes to blacksmith training it can be difficult to find the resources you need. In this post, we'll lay out: What types of training are available.Where the closest blacksmith school is to you (in the U.S.).How much you can expect to spend.What types of training are available?While there are many different sub-categories of blacksmithing, people usually focus on just a handful. In my experience, this handful consists of farrier work, artistic/architectural, and knife making.  Farrier Work Of the blacksmiths working today, the most common type with the steadiest incomes are farrier ..read more

What should you look for when it's time to buy your blacksmithing hammer? Is head shape the most important factor? What about weight? In this short video, we'll talk about how to keep it very simple and what to focus on. Summary: Your first blacksmithing hammer should be between 2 and 3 pounds. This will allow you to swing it for a solid chunk of time without wearing yourself out too much. If the hammer is too light, you'll be swinging more times and be less effective. If it's VERY heavy, you'll only be able to swing it a few times before you're toast. I like Nordic Style 2.5 Pound Cros ..read more

Do You Need a Cross Peen Hammer to Be a Blacksmith? The short answer: Nope. There are plenty of people out in Internetland who will try to shame you or tell you that you need a specific piece of equipment to be an "actual" blacksmith. Most of the time these people can't walk the talk. They want to feel superior by creating a hard line between who can and can't be this or that. It says more about them than it does about you. The Internet is full of trolls after all. In this post and video, we'll talk about cross peens, ball peens, and the most important factor to consider when it comes to ..read more

After the anvil, the blacksmith's forge is often the most expensive piece of essential equipment. Forges can range in price from next to nothing to well over one thousand dollars. I've owned three different forges since 2011 that have ranged in price from $225 for a used NC Tool Company Double Burner to $725 for a used Forgemaster Blacksmith Double Burner Forge. The only forge I've purchased brand new is a Majestic Knifemaker Economy Forge for $325. It's the one I've been using most often these past couple of months. In this video from the DIY Blacksmithing YouTube Channel, I talk about ..read more

I've used a few different forges in my time as a blacksmith. When I was still running around the western U.S. fighting wildfires, I decided to get rid of my original NC Tool Co. Whisper Momma to free up space in my small car. It was a sad day, but there are only so many ways you can pack a rectangular box of that size into a Volkswagen Jetta. Anyway, fast-forward 3 years and I found myself back in my home state looking for blacksmithing equipment to get Brown County Forge up and running. I looked at all the internet retailers of blacksmithing goods, comparing and checking prices, looking ..read more

Lighting a Forgemaster Dual Valve Blacksmith Model Forge At Brown County Forge I use two forges: a Majestic Forge Knifemaker Economy and a Forgemaster. In this quick video, I demonstrate how to safely light the Forgemaster (similar to the post on lighting a Majestic with a few key differences). Forgemaster sells a few different models of forges. The forge in the video is touted as the most popular in farrier competitions. It retails for $860. Looking for more pricing information on Forges? The 2019 Anvil and Forge Buying Guide is available here ..read more

Nobody wants black lungs. It's less common in blacksmiths than in coal miners, but it's a very real concern in the blacksmith shop. If you're using coal as your fuel source, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the dust, smoke, and irritation that comes with coal: Set up outside: Many smiths have their forges in the backyard under a roof without walls. The breeze can flow in and around the forge, pushing the smoke out and away. Add a hood to your coal forge: Many manufactured coal forges come with vent hoods. You will need to create a draft to get the smoke/heat to draw up the c ..read more

Lighting a Majestic Forge Knifemaker Economy is pretty straightforward, but there is one main thing to keep in mind: There are no shutoff valves at each burner. As soon as you open the propane tank, you will be pushing gas. You should have your torch lit and already inside the forge before opening the valve.If you don't do this, you will start to build up an invisible cloud of propane in the air.  If you then light the torch, you're more likely to produce a large fireball.  As with everything else in blacksmithing, you want to have control over your environment.  In this video, I demonstra ..read more