No Bullshit Guide To Optimal Blacksmith Clothing (Gloves,Aprons, And More)
People interested in blacksmithing tend to have colorful personalities that are contained within a unique worldview. As such, you will see a tremendous amount of variability in what people wear while smithing. Some people are very practical, and will wear a long sleeve shirt with hearing + eye protection in addition to boots. Other people […] Read More
No Bullshit Guide To The Best Rounding Hammer – Forge Faster!
The hammer is the most fundamental tool in the art of the blacksmith. It’s possible to use impromptu tools made out of scrap metal in place of your anvil, tong, and forge, but you can’t fake a hammer. SOMETHING has to make contact with your red hot stock. It needs to be able to handle […] Read More
No Bullshit Guide To The Best 3 Refractory Bricks For Forging & Casting
Refractory materials are non-metallic (ceramic) materials that can withstand high temperatures. They are often used in a number of industrial applications such as furnaces, kilns, foundries incinerators, and reactors. As such, they are extremely useful to hobbyist blacksmiths and machinists who wish to build their own forge or foundry. So which fire bricks should you […] Read More
No Bullshit Guide to the Best 10 Anvils For Sale (Blacksmith,Bladesmith,Jewelry)
A blacksmith anvil is one of the most important and expensive purchases a blacksmith will make. The blacksmithing anvil is central to almost everything that happens in a blacksmith’s workshop. Whether you are crafting a sword, a knife, armor, tools, decorative scroll-work, or tools for your own use, you will need to use an this […] Read More
No Bullshit Guide To The 10 Best Blacksmithing Forge Fuels
With so many fuel/forge combinations, it can be hard to decide what setup to use as a beginning blacksmith. In this article I will go over 10 different fuel types, and hopefully I will be able to give you a broad overview of the different fuel types and their trade offs. With this information you […] Read More
Best 16 Books For Blacksmiths & Bladesmiths – Become a Master
While it’s possible to learn a great deal about blacksmithing from online articles, YouTube videos, and personal experience, these things really can’t replace a compact reference written by an expert with decades of experience. It’s also incredibly useful to have a reference book nearby. I know I often find myself forgetting things that I once […] Read More
The Most Kick Butt Butcher Block Brush
People who work in forging(oxides), cooking(carbon debris and grease), and concrete(ceramics), sometimes finding themselves having to clean up TOUGH messes. In these situations, a wimpy wire brush will not cut it. In these situations, you want a REAL brush that can grind through many everyday materials. In these situations, you are going to want a […] Read More
No Bullshit Guide To The Best Blacksmithing Tongs
Tongs are one of the most fundamental tools in the blacksmith’s workshop. A good set of tongs will effortlessly grip your stock and thus become an extension of your will. Experienced smiths will often hand craft tongs that are perfectly fitted for each project. They will bring years of expertise into the creation of each […] Read More