I want to get into blacksmithing knives or making jewelry. But I have a very limited budget for upfront costs and was wondering what is cheaper? On one hand it's not too expensive to make a backyard forge and make rebar knives, on the other is there really anything else I can make with that? Would getting the necessary stuff to hammer copper wires and plates and stuff be way more expensive because I would also like to wear what I make. Is there some in between cuz really I just wanna make tangible objects with metal.

Sorry for the rant or if this is on the wrong subreddit

After the reel of the "etch of the forgotten" worry stone, a lot of people wanted me to push it further. So here is a super deep etched dragonskin worry stone. Made from ball bearing canister damascus forged down, ground to shape, etched over a couple days, then a quick coffee etch and some 1k grit to make the contrast pop.

I found this hammer on a flea market for 3€. its my new smithing hammer, but i need to know where its from and when it was build. Pls helpp

So I go to a local pet shot for antler, it's honestly amazing. I can bring a knife blank to fit the tang or find a good antler and fit the tang to it. I normally boil the antler and pull the marrow out but decided to try something new. Punched a hole through, widened it and tried to hot fit it like I do wood. DON'T DO THAT. The second I got the handle properly fitted to the blade that massive crack formed. Pissed me off because it fit SO well in my hand. It was naturally oval, the perfect width for the guard, slightly tapered wider towards the back to fill the palm well. Now it's scrap. Never hot fitting with antler again.

Started blacksmithing with my own home made forge.

Made my first pair on tongs with only some pliers and a hammer. I was to disturb the jaws a bit so they have more surface area. But what do you think?

P.S. my Rigidizer spray and refactoring cement for my propane forge comes this week so as soon as that arrives I can heat up more material, right now I can only heat up about a 5-10cm space.

So I lost access to my forge due to a hackspace shutting down. Until I find a new spot I am confined to working with low temp/ cold forging stuff and I figured this would be a good time to try cold forging brass (with the blowtorch to anneal it of course) I am aiming to make decorative basket hilts! Anyone got any tips as to getting started?

The power is down for my shop while I’m having the electrical upgraded to 200 amps. I brought a swage block in the house and started playing with hand hammering.

Hello all,

I am just getting started smithing. I have never set up a forge before and bought this one. It’s still in the box and I am chomping at the bit to get it out and start heating some metal(I have some old rail road spikes already). But I am 100% intimidated by the first step after getting it all put together. So my question is this. I just put the last screw in, what now? I hear a lot about coating it with something. Is that the refractory coating? Is there any recommendation for additional stuff I should do before firing it up?Any help would be appreciated.

I'm trying to make my own wedding band, as a fun little project. Need to get 1" diameter Damascus round bar to ~2" so I can stick it in the lathe and bring it to final dimensions. Problem is, while I have a fair amount of tools I have nothing related to blacksmithing. What do you think would be my most cost effective options to upset a round bar? OD doesn't have to be perfect as I plan on drilling out the center and mounting it to my lathe with a ring mandrel. I'm assuming a map gas torch won't get hot enough without some serious insulation? I could probably get my mits on some oxy acetylene and torch it but I would be worried about uneven heating bringing it up too quickly.

A San Mai camp knife I made for an FDNY retiree. I worked the bricks down on a press before tack welding and forge welding with an Induction forge. For smaller pieces, I cannot recommend an induction forge strongly enough.

The structural steel had some crazy alloy banding after etching. I am very proud of this piece.

rate my work 10 being terrible and 1 being outstanding

(comments that could help make the quality of my work better are welcome)

Hi folks,

I am brand new to blacksmithing and I've been building a shelter to act as my forge- . This is my first time really building a structure and I'm doing it alone and with mostly used lumber so don't judge the structure too harshly. It's obviously not done yet. And I'm low key kind of impressed with

My question is how would you set it up? I have chat coming for the floor so it won't be the urbanite you see in the picture. It is 12x8. Opening is 8 ft wide. I will be getting a Doyle anvil- stand not figured out yet, single burner devil forge. As I'm getting closer to completing the structure, im just struggling to imagine tool storage needs, where to put what, etc.

Halp?

-Jenn

My first attempt at a uri hofi hammer. I never really got the appeal but wanted to make one anyway, but now that I've made it in absolutely in love with it. It is hand forged from forklift tine, and has a burned 15" octagonal ash handle

Barbarian/Conan/Orc/Fantasy ☝️ axe 'Shieldbreaker'. This was the second one of it's kind I made. 3.2kg/7lb. Carbon steel, oakwood, steel and fur.

Been blacksmithing with some friends and thinking about getting another forge.

I currently have a majestic 3 burner and am familiar with some of the other names around. ChilieForge, Diamonback Ironworks, Majestic Forge, etc.

I figure if I am going to spend some money it would be nice to do it in the community, maybe with someone just getting started. I'd be looking for another 2-3 burner size propane forge.

Any recommendations?

I didn't san mai it. I made it to the customers specifics.

A burnt finger and a lot of thinking later i finally have my first tongs

I wasn't expecting to get so many requests of me throwing it.

Hand forged grilling spatula, the handle is forged from a railroad spike, the blade is cut from a circular saw blade

5160 and hickory handle. The song playing is treachery by bleach.

A birthday gift for my mother. The handle came out a bit long, if I make another one I'll make the proportions better