Hello. Just a noob but looking for help and advice.

T

Trout MaGee

Joined
Feb 24, 2019
Messages
21
Hello ya'll. Ive been wanting to start forging knives and looking for advice on semi small set ups to get me started. Have seen some nice looking small gas forges on ebay etc.... And anvils as well..... Hoping to not spend a small fortune to begin with so not looking to spend too much on each individual thing. Good hammers, tools, etc that would help get me started. I am looking to start out by making hunting style full tang knives. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
My dad made me learn with a old files ,old grill, lump charcoal and a hair dryer, sandpaper, hammer, a hand grinder and a old semi tire as a anvil and a hand drill

I think it made me a better maker. Its because it when you hand make something with the bare min you understand the process and have to slow down

Everything you need to get started is under 200 bucks
Old grill - free
Bag of lump coal $12
Thrift store hair dryer $3
Good files 35
3lbs hammer used $10
Old truck rim free
Metal sand paper $5
Used drill 5
Drill bit 7
Rubbing compound 3
Angle grinder 15 used
Discs 5

As for the steel I've never had to buy any. It's all stuff I found . High carbon steel is every where

Call me stupid but technology and expensive tools make you less of a craftsman and lazy IN THE BEGINNING. But me and my father are different folks lol

Plus the right process of temper is the what makes a good blade

Again just my opinion
 
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Frozen Bear Trading said:
My dad made me learn with a old files ,old grill, lump charcoal and a hair dryer, sandpaper, hammer, a hand grinder and a old semi tire as a anvil and a hand drill

I think it made me a better maker. Its because it when you hand make something with the bare min you understand the process and have to slow down

Everything you need to get started is under 200 bucks
Old grill - free
Bag of lump coal $12
Thrift store hair dryer $3
Good files 35
3lbs hammer used $10
Old truck rim free
Metal sand paper $5
Used drill 5
Drill bit 7
Rubbing compound 3
Angle grinder 15 used
Discs 5

As for the steel I've never had to buy any. It's all stuff I found . High carbon steel is every where

Call me stupid but technology and expensive tools make you less of a craftsman and lazy IN THE BEGINNING. But me and my father are different folks lol

Plus the right process of temper is the what makes a good blade

Again just my opinion
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Awesome advice. Sounds like a great way to keep it cheap and learn all the basics the right way. I was going to get a gas forge rather than coal.... Just wondering the advantages etc.... To coal vs gas or vice versa
 
Trout MaGee said:
Awesome advice. Sounds like a great way to keep it cheap and learn all the basics the right way. I was going to get a gas forge rather than coal.... Just wondering the advantages etc.... To coal vs gas or vice versa
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Well a gas forge is going to be easier to maintain heat. But gas is expensive. I'm cheap .
 
Mechanical Advantage said:
Hit up a local flea market. You can get your hands on hammers, tongs, and other tools (maybe even an anvil) for a decent price. You might even come across some raw materials for blades and handles.
Click to expand...

Good idea. I will have to check what local flea markets have to offer. Maybe get lucky at rummage sales as well. Thanks for the advice
 
I would recommend a gas forge. A tank of propane will last a good while. Coal isn't that easy to learn on.
I also recomment using steel that you KNOW what it is. Just because is is free doesn't mean it is good. Some "found" things can make good knives, but start with known steel and when you know more, you can experiment with stuff from the junk pile.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I would recommend a gas forge. A tank of propane will last a good while. Coal isn't that easy to learn on.
I also recomment using steel that you KNOW what it is. Just because is is free doesn't mean it is good. Some "found" things can make good knives, but start with known steel and when you know more, you can experiment with stuff from the junk pile.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the words of advice. I have a lot to learn.
 
For starting out I think it pretty darn hard to beat a Atlas forge. They are pretty inexpensive and if you are just building knives it will allow you to do a lot.
 
Howdy Trout. If you put your location in your profile, we could point you to nearby resources. For example, if you lived in the PNW, I'd recommend joining the Northwest Blacksmith Assn (NWBA) and suggest trying to get to the monthly mentoring center demos and hammer-ins, the annual conference in May, or Swaptoberfest, our mini conference and swap meet.

Wherever you are, join the local blacksmith group and you'll get a good jumpstart on forging.
 
Trout MaGee said:
And anvils as well..... Hoping to not spend a small fortune to begin with so not looking to spend too much on each individual thing.
Click to expand...

I'd recommend considering options other than a traditional anvil, especially if you plan on only forging knives, because traditional anvils can be expensive, even used. All you need is something hard enough to withstand the beating and solid enough not to use. A 6" square piece of 1" plate welded to a steel pipe buried 4' in the ground will be as good as, if not better than a 175# anvil on a stand that moves around.
 
Storm W said:
For starting out I think it pretty darn hard to beat a Atlas forge. They are pretty inexpensive and if you are just building knives it will allow you to do a lot.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes i have seen those on the web and they seem to be good size and price for what i would need to begin. They look more efficient than some.... I think i read 14 hrs on a 20lb tank.... Seems like a good amount of time
 
weo said:
Howdy Trout. If you put your location in your profile, we could point you to nearby resources. For example, if you lived in the PNW, I'd recommend joining the Northwest Blacksmith Assn (NWBA) and suggest trying to get to the monthly mentoring center demos and hammer-ins, the annual conference in May, or Swaptoberfest, our mini conference and swap meet.

Wherever you are, join the local blacksmith group and you'll get a good jumpstart on forging.
Click to expand...

Yes i would love to find blacksmiths nearby or anyone teaching classes etc... Wisconsin is where im at..... Southwest wisco... Thanks for the advice.... Added my location
 
weo said:
I'd recommend considering options other than a traditional anvil, especially if you plan on only forging knives, because traditional anvils can be expensive, even used. All you need is something hard enough to withstand the beating and solid enough not to use. A 6" square piece of 1" plate welded to a steel pipe buried 4' in the ground will be as good as, if not better than a 175# anvil on a stand that moves around.
Click to expand...

Hmmm thats a great idea. Seems a lot cheaper as well and a lot easier to get mh hands on. I do mostly plan on beginning with knives... Mostly hunting style knives... Later down the road if need be i could always upgrade if i decide to go bigger etc... Thanks for the advice
 
An old anvil from the local for sale ads that's big enough for you to barely lift,if you're strong,Will be the best money you ever spent.in your life:)
And you can always sell it on with no loss if you lose interest
 
Mechanical Advantage said:
Hit up a local flea market. You can get your hands on hammers, tongs, and other tools (maybe even an anvil) for a decent price. You might even come across some raw materials for blades and handles.
Click to expand...
I had some luck with estate auction sales; I once won a lot of tools and in the bottom one of the boxes I found a pair of tongs, and a long-handled set of pliers that work well for handling hot objects. You'll have to separate the wheat from the chaff but estate/downsizing sales can be a good source for equipment.
 
John mc c said:
An old anvil from the local for sale ads that's big enough for you to barely lift,if you're strong,Will be the best money you ever spent.in your life:)
And you can always sell it on with no loss if you lose interest
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yeah i have been looking on Craigslist around here but t most i find say vintage and they want an arm and a leg for em. Ill definitely be checking on a regular basis
 
KillerGriller said:
I had some luck with estate auction sales; I once won a lot of tools and in the bottom one of the boxes I found a pair of tongs, and a long-handled set of pliers that work well for handling hot objects. You'll have to separate the wheat from the chaff but estate/downsizing sales can be a good source for equipment.
Click to expand...

I will definitely have to be checking the paper for estate sales around here... Maybe get lucky with some stuff. Thanks
 
Also wondering for hunting knife sized knives.... Would a single or a double burner forge be needed..... Are there advantages to the double.... And dumb question but im assuming this would burn double the gas?...
 
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