The blacksmith guillotine tool to buy
A working smith's honest take on the blacksmith guillotine tool: the genuine G2, the budget imports, the heavier commercial dies, and when to just build one.
August 13, 2026 · 13 min read
Topic
Tools and tooling
The bench tools that earn their place: chisels, punches, drifts, and hardy tools, chosen for what a home smith actually reaches for.
The blacksmith ruler, explained from the forge floor
What a blacksmith ruler really is, how to read a steel rule, why measuring hot steel lies to you, and the layout tools that keep a project square.
August 13, 2026 · 12 min read
The blacksmith swage to buy first
A working smith on which blacksmith swage to buy first, from spring swages to bottom swages and cast swage blocks, and which ones just take up bench space.
August 13, 2026 · 13 min read
The blacksmith pole vise to buy
A plain buying guide to the blacksmith pole vise, also called a post or leg vise: what to check used, the new Kanca picks, and the honest bench vise fallback.
August 4, 2026 · 13 min read
The blacksmith post leg vise to buy
A blacksmith post leg vise is built to be hammered on. Here is what jaw size to buy, what to check used, and why Amazon bench vises are not the same tool.
August 4, 2026 · 14 min read
The blacksmith post vise to buy, used or new
A blacksmith post vise buying guide: how to size a leg vise, what to check on a used one, the new picks worth the money, and honest bench vise stand-ins.
August 4, 2026 · 13 min read
The blacksmith wrench to buy first
A blacksmith wrench guide for twisting and bending bar stock, the twisting wrench and hardy forks I would buy, what to skip, and how to twist evenly.
August 4, 2026 · 12 min read
The blacksmith cone mandrel to buy
A blacksmith cone mandrel guide: when a hardy-hole cone earns its keep, when your anvil horn is enough, and why most floor cones are a want not a need.
August 3, 2026 · 13 min read
The blacksmith flatter worth owning
A blacksmith flatter guide from the forge floor: what a flatter does, how it differs from a set hammer, and which one to buy versus forge yourself.
August 3, 2026 · 13 min read
The blacksmith mandrel to buy first
A blacksmith mandrel guide from the forge floor: which hardy-hole cone to buy first, when to size up, and why floor cones are a used-market hunt.
August 3, 2026 · 14 min read
How to pick a blacksmith chisel for your shop
A blacksmith chisel splits into hot cut and cold work tools. Here is which factory set to buy, which hot cutter to forge, and how to grind and use each safely.
July 30, 2026 · 14 min read
Choosing the right blacksmith fuller tool
A blacksmith fuller tool guide from the forge floor: hardy fullers, spring fullers, and guillotines, which to buy first and which to make yourself.
July 30, 2026 · 13 min read
The blacksmith filing vise to buy first
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
The cast iron swage block to 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 on the market, and whether you need one yet.
July 29, 2026 · 11 min read
The hot cut hardy tool to buy first
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 · 13 min read
The axe eye drift to buy first
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
The blacksmith cone to buy first
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
Blacksmith double calipers worth owning
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
The blacksmith hydraulic press to buy
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
The trepanning tool to buy first
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
The blacksmith swage block to 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
The blacksmith vise to buy first
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
The smithing tools to buy first
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
The swage block to buy
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
The black smith tools you need to start
A working smith's take on the black smith tools worth buying first: anvil, hammer, tongs, a forge, a heavy vise, and the safety gear you never skip.
July 21, 2026 · 13 min read
Blacksmithing tools, the short list that 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