Anvils
The 200 lb anvil for sale I would buy, and the ones to skip
A smith's honest look at the 200 lb anvil for sale field, from budget cast steel imports to ductile iron and tool steel, with what rebound really costs.
July 30, 2026 · 12 min read
Blacksmithing gear and reference
Straight talk on blacksmithing gear
I'm Grady. Twenty-five years at the anvil, two forges in the shop, and no patience for tools that waste your money. These guides are what I tell the people who ask me what to buy, written the same way: what it costs, what it does, and which one is right for the work you actually do.
Shop tools
Shop tool
Knife steel selector
Pick a steel by what you are forging, your budget, and your experience, with the full reference table and heat-treat starting points behind it.
Latest from the bench
Forges
The diy propane forge parts I would actually buy to build one
A diy forge propane build comes down to three parts: insulation, burner, and gas train. Here are the ones I would buy and the safety steps you cannot skip.
July 30, 2026 · 13 min read
Steel and metallurgy
What commercial steel heat treating actually does for a smith
A plain owner-to-owner guide to erie steel treating and commercial heat treat: what a commercial furnace does, when to send steel out, and what you still control.
July 30, 2026 · 11 min read
Steel and metallurgy
How to heat treat stainless, honestly, from a home shop
A plain reference on how to heat treat stainless steel: why a forge and magnet fail, what an oven and cryo actually do, and when to send blades out.
July 30, 2026 · 12 min read
Steel and metallurgy
Heat treating stainless steel, explained from the forge floor
What heat treating stainless steel actually takes: high soak temperatures, foil wrap, plate quenching, cryo, and why most home smiths send it out.
July 30, 2026 · 11 min read
Knife making
The knife making propane forge I would actually start with
A plain-spoken gear guide to picking a knife making propane forge, from single-burner starters to multi-burner units, with honest owner-consensus tradeoffs.
July 30, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The propane burners for forge work I would actually buy
A blacksmith's honest guide to propane burners for forge builds: naturally aspirated versus blown, budget to premium picks, tuning, and the safety that matters.
July 30, 2026 · 13 min read
Hammers and tongs
The railroad spike tongs I would buy, and the ones I would skip
A plain owner-to-owner guide to railroad spike tongs: forked head-grip versus V-bit bolt tongs, what fits a spike, and how to buy safely without wasting money.
July 30, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The swage block for sale I would actually buy, and the ones to skip
A blacksmith's honest take on buying a swage block for sale: which weight and material to pick, what the forms do, and when you actually need one.
July 30, 2026 · 13 min read
Steel and metallurgy
How to temper steel by heating and cooling, explained plainly
How to temper steel by heating and cooling: the two heats, why hardened steel is brittle, reading temper colors, and where the real numbers live.
July 30, 2026 · 11 min read
Getting started
The beginner blacksmith projects that actually teach you to forge
A smith's ordered list of beginner blacksmith projects, from the J-hook to your first tongs, each chosen for the forging skill it builds and how to do it safely.
July 29, 2026 · 11 min read
Getting started
The black smith projects that actually teach you to forge
A reference guide to the black smith projects worth making first, in what order, and what skill each one builds, from a hobby smith who teaches beginners.
July 29, 2026 · 11 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith filing vise I would buy first, and the ones to skip
A working smith on picking a blacksmith filing vise: what to buy for filing and finish work, which specs matter, and the safety rules that keep filing safe.
July 29, 2026 · 14 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith power forging hammer for sale worth buying, and where to find it
Where to find a blacksmith power forging hammer for sale, which Anyang size fits a one-person shop, and the hand hammer to buy if a power hammer is out of budget.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Hammers and tongs
What a blacksmith power hammer for sale really is before you buy
A blacksmith power hammer for sale is rarely what the marketplace shows you. How to size a forging hammer and tell it from a planisher.
July 29, 2026 · 12 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith rounding hammer I would buy, and how to size it
The blacksmith rounding hammer I would put in a home shop, how to size the weight, and honest picks from Nordic Forge, Mustad, and Flatland Forge.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith tools for sale worth buying first, and the ones to skip
A working hobby smith's shopping guide to blacksmith tools for sale: the anvil, hammer, tongs, and forge worth buying first, and the cast-iron traps to skip.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Getting started
The blacksmithing projects for beginners that actually teach your hands
A plain owner-to-owner reference to blacksmithing projects for beginners: the hooks, tapers, twists, and openers that drill every core forging move.
July 29, 2026 · 11 min read
Getting started
The blacksmithing projects that actually teach you to forge
A plain owner-to-owner reference on blacksmithing projects: what each one teaches, the order I run them in, and how to actually learn from the work.
July 29, 2026 · 12 min read
More from the shop
The cast iron swage block I would actually buy, and what to check first
A cast iron swage block buying guide from a hobby smith: why ductile iron matters, the 66 lb and 50 lb picks, and whether you need one yet.
July 29, 2026 · 11 min read
Anvils
The Centaur Forge anvil lines I would buy, and the ones to size up
A Centaur Forge anvil is not one brand: here is how the NC Tool, TFS, Kanca, and Emerson lines they sell compare, and which to buy first.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The coal forge diy build I would actually put in a home shop
A coal forge diy guide from a smith who runs one: which parts to build, which firepot, blower, and coal to buy, and the safety that coal earns.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The gear I would use to forge a bottle opener at home
The forge, hammer, tongs, and steel I would use to forge a bottle opener at home, with honest picks across budgets and the safety that matters most.
July 29, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The forge dies I would buy, and the ones I would make
A working smith's honest take on forge dies: which flat, drawing, and combination dies to buy, when to make your own, and what steel actually holds up.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The forging equipment I would actually buy first
A plain forging equipment guide for a first shop: the forge, anvil, hammer, and tongs I would buy first, what to skip, and the safety gear that is not optional.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Hammers and tongs
The forging tongs I would buy first, and the ones to skip
An honest guide to buying your first forging tongs: why a wolf jaw pattern wins, what length to get, and how to fit budget tongs so they actually grip.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The hand crank forge blower I would buy first, and the ones to skip
A blacksmith's honest take on the hand crank forge blower worth buying, how to judge gearing and air, and when a used Champion beats any new import.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Anvils
The hardie tools for anvils I would buy first, and the ones to skip
A blacksmith's honest take on hardie tools for anvils: which hot cut, set, and bending fork to buy first, how to match the shank to your hardy hole, and what to skip.
July 29, 2026 · 12 min read
More from the shop
The hot cut hardy tool I would buy first, and how to size it
How I pick a hot cut hardy tool for a home shop: sizing the shank to your hardy hole, budget picks worth buying, and when to forge your own instead.
July 29, 2026 · 14 min read
Forges
Smithing coal, explained from the forge floor
What smithing coal really is, why smiths burn clean low-sulfur bituminous, how it cokes, clinker, sizing, storage, and the carbon monoxide safety that is not optional.
July 29, 2026 · 13 min read
Anvils
The anvil hardy tools I would buy first, and the ones to skip
A blacksmith's honest guide to anvil hardy tools: which hot cut and fuller to buy first, how to match the shank to your hardy hole, and what owners report.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Hammers and tongs
The Anyang power hammer I would buy, and the sizes to skip
A blacksmith's honest guide to the Anyang power hammer: which ram size fits a one-person shop, what the specs mean, foundation and power needs, and what owners report.
July 28, 2026 · 14 min read
More from the shop
The axe eye drift I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
A hobby smith's honest take on which axe eye drift to buy: budget import kits, hand forged options, and how to drift an eye without splitting it.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Getting started
The beginner blacksmith kit I would actually buy first
A beginner blacksmith kit stripped to what matters: forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, and Z87.1 eye protection, with honest picks and the gear to skip.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Knife making
The belt grinder for knives I would actually buy first
An honest belt grinder for knives guide: the 1x30, 4x36, and 2x72 machines I would point a beginner at, with specs, owner reports, and safety.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
Blacksmith charcoal, explained from the forge floor
What blacksmith charcoal is, how lump differs from briquettes, how it burns versus coal, how to make your own, and the safety that keeps you alive.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The blacksmith charcoal forge I would build before I bought
A blacksmith charcoal forge buying guide from a hobby smith: which firepot is worth the money, what to build yourself, and the fuel and safety notes that matter.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
Blacksmith coal, explained from the forge floor
What blacksmith coal actually is, why bituminous coal cokes and anthracite does not, how sulfur and ash grade it, and how to burn it safely.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The blacksmith coal forge I would actually build a shop around
A blacksmith coal forge buying guide from the forge floor: which welded firepots and complete units are worth it, and the coal safety that is not optional.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith cone I would buy first, and the one to skip
A blacksmith cone guide from the forge floor: why a hardy cone mandrel beats a floor cone for most home shops, with published specs and owner reports.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith double calipers worth owning, and what to buy instead
What a blacksmith double caliper really is, why most are antiques, and the spring caliper and divider sets I would actually buy to measure hot stock.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The blacksmith gas forge I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
A blacksmith gas forge buying guide from an experienced hobby smith: honest picks across single and double burner propane forges, real specs, and safety.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith hook, and why I hand it to every beginner
A blacksmith hook is the best first forging project there is. What kinds to learn, the steel and heat behind them, how to forge one, and how to finish it safely.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith hydraulic press I would buy, and the one I would build
A blacksmith hydraulic press guide: whether to buy a finished forging press or build one from a shop press, with honest specs, owner reports, and safety.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Getting started
The blacksmithing starter kit I would actually put together
A blacksmithing starter kit worth buying is four honest pieces, not a boxed set: the anvil, hammer, tongs, and eye protection I would pick, with tradeoffs.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The Bufco forge blower, and what to buy if you can't find one
A working smith on the Bufco forge blower: what these vintage Buffalo Forge hand cranks are worth, what to check before buying, and modern blowers that do the job.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
More from the shop
What a colonial blacksmith actually did, from the forge floor
A plain, owner-to-owner look at what a colonial blacksmith really made, the iron and steel he worked, his tools, and why his skills still matter at my forge.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Hammers and tongs
The diy forge hammer I would make instead of buy
How I turn a cheap hardware store hammer into a diy forge hammer, which heads to start from, and the heat treat and safety mistakes to avoid.
July 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The forge blower I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
A blacksmith's honest take on picking a forge blower for a coal forge: hand crank versus electric, real specs, owner consensus, and the air control that matters.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
The trepanning tool I would actually buy, and the ones I would skip
A blacksmith's honest take on the trepanning tool: annular cutters, hole saws, and lathe grooving tools, with published specs and owner reports.
July 28, 2026 · 13 min read
Knife making
The 2x72 belt grinder for knife making I would actually start with
A plain 2x72 belt grinder for knife making guide: what matters in a motor, VFD, and platen, budget complete machines, and the premium picks worth saving for.
July 27, 2026 · 11 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith swage block I would actually buy, and when you need one
A blacksmith swage block guide from the forge floor: what it does, cast iron versus ductile iron, the blocks worth buying, and how to mount one safely.
July 27, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
Where the blacksmithing store really is, from a smith who shops it
A plain owner-to-owner guide to the blacksmithing store landscape: dedicated suppliers, marketplaces, farm stores, scrap yards, and the used market that beats them all.
July 27, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The charcoal forge for sale worth buying, and the one to build instead
A blacksmith's honest take on every charcoal forge for sale: which welded firepot is worth it, which furnace to skip, and why I would build first.
July 27, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The coal forge for sale I would actually buy, and the ones I would skip
A blacksmith's honest guide to buying a coal forge for sale: firepot vs complete forge, real firepot depth, fuel, and safety before you spend.
July 27, 2026 · 12 min read
Steel and metallurgy
Heat treatment of metals, explained from the forge floor
A working smith's plain guide to heat treatment of metals: hardening, tempering, annealing, normalizing, reading heat with a magnet, and where to send the hard questions.
July 27, 2026 · 11 min read
Forges
The homemade forge I would build, and the parts I would buy
A homemade forge is the smartest first build for a new smith. The parts worth buying, the ones worth fabricating, and the safety steps you cannot skip.
July 27, 2026 · 12 min read
Anvils
The old anvil for sale that's worth buying, and the ones that are just heavy
How I judge an old anvil for sale, the rebound and ring tests that sort steel from cast iron, and the new anvils worth buying when the used market fails you.
July 27, 2026 · 13 min read
Anvils
How to buy used anvils for sale without getting a paperweight
How I shop used anvils for sale: what a fair price per pound is, how to run the rebound test before you pay, and the new anvils worth buying if the hunt fails.
July 27, 2026 · 13 min read
Anvils
The vintage anvil for sale worth buying, and the ones to walk away from
How I test a vintage anvil for sale before paying, which old brands are worth it, and the new anvils I would buy instead when the hunt stalls.
July 27, 2026 · 13 min read
Steel and metallurgy
What annealing steel actually does, and how I do it
Annealing steel means heating past critical and cooling as slowly as you can. Here is what that does inside the metal, the temperatures involved, and how I do it at home.
July 25, 2026 · 15 min read
Anvils
The antique anvils worth buying, and the ones to walk away from
How I judge antique anvils before paying: rebound testing, face condition, maker marks, weight stamps, and the new anvils worth buying if you strike out.
July 25, 2026 · 14 min read
Anvils
How I shop for antique anvils for sale without buying a paperweight
How to judge antique anvils for sale on rebound, face condition and price per pound, which old makers are worth chasing, and what to buy new instead.
July 25, 2026 · 16 min read
Anvils
What an anvil price really tells you before you buy
A plain look at anvil price by weight, material and condition, with what I would pay new or used and where a cheap anvil stops being a bargain.
July 25, 2026 · 14 min read
Anvils
The blacksmith anvil for sale I would buy, and the ones I would skip
What to buy when you see a blacksmith anvil for sale: my picks in cast steel and forged steel, the ones to skip, and how to test one before paying.
July 25, 2026 · 14 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith cross pein hammer I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
Which blacksmith cross pein hammer to buy first, from a hobby smith: published specs, weights that work, owner reports, and how to dress a new face.
July 25, 2026 · 15 min read
More from the shop
The equipment for blacksmithing I would actually buy first
The equipment for blacksmithing that actually matters: anvil, forge, one hammer, one pair of tongs, a vise, and the safety gear that is never optional.
July 25, 2026 · 15 min read
Getting started
How to pick a forging project that actually teaches you something
A plain guide to picking a forging project, choosing stock, planning your heats, and finishing the piece, written from the floor of a home shop.
July 25, 2026 · 14 min read
Forges
The propane blacksmith forge I would actually buy first
Which propane blacksmith forge belongs in a home shop, what the published specs really mean, and where the budget kits cut corners, from a hobby smith.
July 25, 2026 · 16 min read
More from the shop
What a blacksmith village really was, from the forge floor
A plain owner-to-owner reference on the blacksmith village: why the forge sat at the center, what came through the smithy door, and what it teaches a home smith.
July 24, 2026 · 14 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmith vise I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
A working smith on choosing a blacksmith vise: post vise versus bench vise, what cracks under a hammer, which specs matter, and what a used vise is worth.
July 24, 2026 · 16 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmithing equipment I would actually buy first
A working smith's honest short list of blacksmithing equipment: forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, vise and rated eye protection, with published specs and owner reports.
July 24, 2026 · 15 min read
Forges
The diy forge parts I would actually buy, and the ones I would build
A diy forge parts guide from a hobby smith: which wool, rigidizer, castable, burner and regulator to buy, what to build yourself, and the safety rules to keep.
July 24, 2026 · 14 min read
Forges
The gas forge I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
A hobby smith's gas forge guide: chamber size, burner count, liner wear, published specs for four propane forges, and the safety setup that matters.
July 24, 2026 · 15 min read
More from the shop
Hoffman Blacksmithing and what a small shop hammer maker really gives you
What hoffman blacksmithing is, why smiths mix it up with Hofi hammers, and how to judge a hand forged hammer from any small maker before you spend the money.
July 24, 2026 · 14 min read
Knife making
Knife blacksmithing, explained from bar stock to finished blade
A plain owner to owner guide to knife blacksmithing: picking steel, forging the blade, heat treating it properly, grinding safely, and what gear you actually need.
July 24, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
What a master blacksmith actually is, and who gets to say it
What master blacksmith means today, where the title came from, which ratings actually test skill, and how to judge the claim when nobody is checking.
July 24, 2026 · 15 min read
More from the shop
The smithing tools I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
The smithing tools that actually earn bench space in a home shop, which ones to buy first, which ones to skip, and where the safety kit is not negotiable.
July 24, 2026 · 16 min read
Anvils
The VEVOR anvil I would buy, and the ones I would skip
An owner to owner look at the VEVOR anvil lineup: published specs, why cast steel beats cast iron, what forum owners report, and which weight is worth buying.
July 24, 2026 · 14 min read
Knife making
The belt grinder I would buy for knife making, and the ones I would skip
A gear guide to belt grinder knife making: what a 1 x 30, a 2 x 72 and a VFD chassis really give you, with published specs and honest owner reports.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Knife making
The belt sander for knife making I would actually start with
Which belt sander for knife making is worth buying: 1x30, 1x42, 4x36 or a 2x72 grinder, compared on published specs, owner reports and the safety part.
July 23, 2026 · 16 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith power forging hammer I would buy, and the one I would build
An honest look at the blacksmith power forging hammer options for a home shop: self contained pneumatic, utility air, tire hammer, and what each really costs.
July 23, 2026 · 17 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith power hammer I would buy, and the ones I would skip
An honest blacksmith power hammer guide: published specs on Anyang, Big BLU, tire hammers and used Little Giants, plus what your shop floor and power need.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith tongs I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
A working smith's take on blacksmith tongs: which jaw pattern to buy first, how to fit the jaws to your stock, and honest picks from budget to premium.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
More from the shop
The blacksmithing supplies I would actually buy first
A working smith's honest list of the blacksmithing supplies worth buying first, the ones to skip, and how to spend a starter budget without wasting it.
July 23, 2026 · 14 min read
Knife making
Blade smithing, explained from bar stock to finished edge
A plain owner to owner reference on blade smithing: steel choice, forging heat, normalizing, quenching and tempering, and the grinder mistakes that ruin blades.
July 23, 2026 · 13 min read
Knife making
Bladesmithing, from a bar of steel to a blade that holds an edge
A plain walk through bladesmithing: choosing steel, forging shape, normalizing, quenching, tempering, and grinding an edge that actually cuts and lasts.
July 23, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The charcoal forge I would build before I bought one
A charcoal forge guide from a hobby smith: side blast versus bottom blast, which firepot and blower are worth money, and the safety rules that matter most.
July 23, 2026 · 16 min read
Forges
The coal forge I would actually build a shop around
A coal forge buying guide from a hobby smith: which firepot and blower are worth the money, what the cheap tabletop kits get wrong, and how to vent it safely.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Forges
The coal forge coal I would actually buy, and what to burn instead
What coal forge coal to buy: low sulfur bituminous smithing coal, published specs compared, honest owner reports on anthracite, and safe fire management.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Hammers and tongs
The forge hammer I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
Picking a forge hammer for a home shop: which weight and pattern actually work, what the makers publish, and what smiths on the forums report.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Hammers and tongs
Picking a forging power hammer for a one person shop
How to pick a forging power hammer for a home shop: real published specs on the Anyang air hammers, a used Little Giant, and the tire hammer you can build.
July 23, 2026 · 14 min read
Knife making
The knife makers belt sander I would buy first, and the ones I would skip
Which knife makers belt sander is worth buying first, from a 4x36 combo to a 2x72, with published specs, real owner reports, and the safety notes that matter.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Knife making
Knife making, explained from the first bar of steel
A plain owner to owner guide to knife making: stock removal versus forging, steel choice, heat treating, grinding safety, and what a first knife really takes.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Knife making
The knife making kit I would hand a beginner, and the ones I would skip
An honest look at what a knife making kit includes, which type is worth your money as a first project, and what the box always leaves out.
July 23, 2026 · 14 min read
Hammers and tongs
The smithing power hammer I would buy, and the ones I would skip
A smithing power hammer buying guide from a hobby smith: self contained air hammers, Big BLU, old Little Giants, tire hammer builds, and what installation really costs.
July 23, 2026 · 16 min read
More from the shop
The smithing supplies I would actually buy first
A working smith's take on which smithing supplies are worth buying new, which to scrounge, and what the published specs and owner reports really support.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Hammers and tongs
Smithing tongs that actually grip, and how to pick your first pair
Which smithing tongs to buy first, how tong sizing really works, what budget imported pairs get wrong, and how to fit jaws so they hold hot steel.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
More from the shop
The swage block I would actually buy, and the ones I would skip
An honest swage block buying guide from a hobby smith: which size to buy, why ductile iron matters, what to skip, and what to buy before one.
July 23, 2026 · 15 min read
Anvils
What to look for in an anvil for sale
A blunt guide to any anvil for sale: cast steel versus cast iron, published specs on the new picks, a fair price per pound, and how to test a face before you pay.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Hammers and tongs
The blacksmith hammer I would hand a beginner, and the ones I would skip
An owner to owner blacksmith hammer guide: weight, face, and handle that actually matter, five hammers compared on published specs, plus dressing and safety.
July 22, 2026 · 15 min read
More from the shop
Blacksmith shops, explained from the floor of one
How blacksmith shops are actually laid out, what tools live in them, how ventilation and fire safety work, and what it takes to set one up at home.
July 22, 2026 · 16 min read
More from the shop
What a medieval blacksmith actually did all day
A plain reference on the medieval blacksmith: the iron he had, the charcoal fire, the anvil he really used, and which of his habits still belong in a modern shop.
July 22, 2026 · 17 min read
More from the shop
What a medieval smith actually did all day
A working hobby smith explains the medieval smith honestly: bloomery iron, charcoal fires, small anvils, guild trades, and which old lessons still apply today.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Forges
The metal forge I would put in a home shop, and the ones I would skip
Which metal forge a hobby smith should buy: published specs, owner reports, and the ventilation and ceramic fiber warnings the listings leave out.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Forges
The propane forge I would put in a home shop
Which propane forge is worth buying for a home shop, what the published specs actually mean, and the ventilation and ceramic fiber rules I will not soften.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Forges
The propane gas forge I would buy for a home shop, and the ones I would pass on
An owner to owner look at which propane gas forge is worth buying for a home shop, what the published specs actually mean, and where cheap units cost you.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Knife making
The railroad spike knife, honestly explained
A railroad spike knife is a great forging project and a poor cutting tool. What the steel can and cannot do, how to forge one, and how to make it actually cut.
July 22, 2026 · 13 min read
Forges
The smithing forge I would actually buy for a home shop
An owner to owner smithing forge buying guide: published specs, real owner reports from the forums, and the safety details cheap gas forges skip.
July 22, 2026 · 15 min read
Steel and metallurgy
Tempering of metal, explained from the forge floor
What the tempering of metal actually does to hardened steel, how temperature and time change hardness and toughness, and how I temper in a home shop.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
More from the shop
What the black smith actually is, and what the work involves
A plain explainer on the black smith: where the name comes from, what the work involves at the forge and anvil, and the safety that is not optional.
July 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Anvils
Blacksmith and anvil: the honest picks for your first anvil
A blacksmith and anvil buying guide to cast steel picks worth owning, the cast iron ones to avoid, and how to test rebound before you commit.
July 21, 2026 · 12 min read
Forges
The blacksmith forge I'd actually put in a beginner's shop
A blacksmith forge buying guide from a hobby smith: propane single and double burners, a coal firepot, honest tradeoffs, specs, and the safety setup each one needs.
July 21, 2026 · 12 min read
More from the shop
The black smith tools you actually need to start
A working smith's honest take on the black smith tools worth buying first: anvil, hammer, tongs, a forge, and the PPE you never skip.
July 21, 2026 · 13 min read
More from the shop
Blacksmithing tools: the short list that actually matters
A working hobby smith on the blacksmithing tools that actually matter for a starter shop: one hammer, one pair of tongs, an anvil, a forge, and eye protection.
July 21, 2026 · 13 min read
Anvils
How to buy an anvil without wasting your money
A working hobby smith on what makes an anvil worth owning, honest budget picks, and how to test any anvil before you hand over the cash.
July 17, 2026 · 12 min read
Anvils
What size anvil do you actually need?
How much anvil a beginner really needs, why rebound beats raw weight, and the weight classes that make sense for a home shop.
July 17, 2026 · 5 min read
Anvils
The best anvils for beginners: honest picks across every budget
A working smith's take on the best beginner anvils you can buy new, from a budget cast steel option to a forged anvil you buy once, with published specs and what owners actually report.
July 17, 2026 · 8 min read
Safety and PPE
Blacksmith safety gear: what matters and what to skip
The safety gear a beginner smith actually needs, the standards that matter, and where not to waste money, from a smith who learned the hard way.
July 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Forges
Coal or propane: which first forge makes sense?
The honest tradeoffs between a coal forge and a propane forge for a first shop, from a smith who runs both.
July 17, 2026 · 4 min read
More from the shop
Blacksmithing, explained plainly by a smith who still lights the forge
A plain owner to owner reference on what blacksmithing actually is, the core moves, the tools that matter, fuel choices, and safety that is not optional.
July 17, 2026 · 12 min read