Forge advice

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voodoolord

Joined
Jan 31, 2017
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Looking to buy my first forge and the google searches seem to pull up info from about 3 years back and further. I had pretty much settled on a Diamondback forge until I checked the website and their all unavailable. Sent a text to the owner and haven't heard back either, not good sign's for a business. I'm starting out small but don't want to limit myself with the wrong forge. Majestic forges seem to get pretty bad reviews and Chili forges are too expensive, I'm trying to stay in the $500 range. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Thanks for the reply. I looked at Atlas but their only available forge will not work for tomahawks or much that isn't blade shaped. I want to keep my options open for future builds.
 
Just a bit of friendly advice... Some people won't respond to a text message, especially for business purposes. A friendly phone call does wonders.

Also, filter your Google searches for with the last year, that may help. Keep looking, they're out there. Also check out farrier suppliers.
 
voodoolord said:
Thanks for the reply. I looked at Atlas but their only available forge will not work for tomahawks or much that isn't blade shaped. I want to keep my options open for future builds.
Click to expand...

Another option is to build one. I know it sounds intimidating, but with a few tools and the advice here on the forum, it's not too hard. With a $500 budget, you could build a very nice one. When you build your own, you can tweak the design to fit your needs. That's what I did, and many others here have done. Mr. Apelt has compiled a lot of valuable information on forge building in the sticky threads. If you decide to go that rout, sit back with a good cup of coffee in front of the woodstove and enjoy a good read.
On second thought, make that a whole pot of coffee- there is a lot of information there!

If you want info on my forge build, I'd be happy to share, but keep in mind that I'm not even good enough to be considered a novice compared to the masters of the craft that frequent this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Langadune said:
Just a bit of friendly advice... Some people won't respond to a text message, especially for business purposes. A friendly phone call does wonders.

Also, filter your Google searches for with the last year, that may help. Keep looking, they're out there. Also check out farrier suppliers.
Click to expand...

Diamondbacks website says explicitly that they do not take calls and only take text messages so that's what I did. I tried to call initially and then read their site. No one answered. I'll check out farrier supplies, thanks for the tip.
 
AlaskanHunter said:
Another option is to build one. I know it sounds intimidating, but with a few tools and the advice here on the forum, it's not too hard. With a $500 budget, you could build a very nice one. When you build your own, you can tweak the design to fit your needs. That's what I did, and many others here have done. Mr. Apelt has compiled a lot of valuable information on forge building in the sticky threads. If you decide to go that rout, sit back with a good cup of coffee in front of the woodstove and enjoy a good read.
On second thought, make that a whole pot of coffee- there is a lot of information there!

If you want info on my forge build, I'd be happy to share, but keep in mind that I'm not even good enough to be considered a novice compared to the masters of the craft that frequent this forum.
Click to expand...


The problem is I have so little experience that I don't know what I don't know. That's why I wanted to buy one first so I can learn what I really need. The two options I have looked at so far are either backordered or unavailable. Seems like making forges might be more lucrative than blades since supply is not meeting demand. Not that I hoped to make a profit from blade making. Just saying.
 
If you only will be doing knives and things less than 3" wide, I would suggest the Atlas or Graham forge.


If you will be doing damascus billets, hawks, blacksmith type projects, etc. - you should look at the NC Tool Co forges. They are made for farriers and smiths who do wider objects, as well as long ones. The side or end door lifts to allow hawks, shoes, and curved items to be worked. I love the three burner Whisper Lowboy for most any work. The Knifemaker is also good for objects up to 4" wide. They are overhead burner type ( which is pretty much the standard unless you build your own), and while not as good as a home built round chamber forge for HT, they work very good once the chamber is fully soaked. They are very solidly built, heavy, and will last almost forever. My Lowboy is outside in an open smithy, and exposed to the weather. It has been running for 20 years without problems. For the money, I don't know of a better plug and play general use forge than the Lowboy. I would say that for the extra $100, it is at least twice the forge of any $500 unit on the market.

http://nctoolco.com/products.php?cat=Gas+Forges

After you get used to forging and what a forge can do, build a round chamber PID controlled forge for dedicated knife work. You will find uses for both types, depending on the project.
 
I have the Atlas Graham and love it. As Stacy said, built for knives. Can also do small hawks (need to stay under 4" wide). It's a very solid forge for the money. I also really appreciate the fact that it doesn't require a lot of propane to run. No issues using a standard 20lb tank with it, while I know others need to step up to 40-100lb tanks to avoid freezing due to larger or more burners drawing the propane faster.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
I have had a diamondback 2 burner knifemaker forge for over 6 years. Have had no problems at all. Just purchased a reline kit for it. The guy at diamondback answered my text next day no problem. Recomend this forge.
 
Ordered the NC tool knifemaker 2 burner today. Got sick of waiting for a response from diamondback. I think it will work out. Thanks for the replies.
 
Atlas Knife Company said:
So, what you're all saying is that I need to get off my A## and build some more budget and Graham forges?
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Yes ... and start on the design for a Graham With the front hinged to lift up and allow larger objects to be put in. It should be a pretty simple mod. You could take your existing Graham and cut it off 1" from the front, add the hinge and use 1" insboard for that end's insulation.

That might become a very popular forge.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Yes ... and start on the design for a Graham With the front hinged to lift up and allow larger objects to be put in. It should be a pretty simple mod. You could take your existing Graham and cut it off 1" from the front, add the hinge and use 1" insboard for that end's insulation.

That might become a very popular forge.
Click to expand...

Great idea.

I love my atlas mini forge for nearly everything, it's extremely efficient.

I have been thinking about building something for odd/large work and would love it to be as close to efficient as the mini forge as possible.

I will probably build my next one, but the burners will be Atlas burners.
 
Not to hi jack, but does anyone know a good source to buy a used forklift tank, I can have bottles filled at my house cheaper than I can swap them but need the large fitting.
 
Forklift tanks are for supplying liquid propane to an engine, not gas to be burned. I think they would not be a good idea for supplying a forge with propane. Buy a 100 pound tank at Lowes/Home Depot. They are only about $70.
 
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