Needing help with a forge press

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Paxton Albright

Joined
May 4, 2020
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I am a beginner blacksmith/ knife maker and am wanting to make Damascus steel. I have looked around trying to find a forge press that would work well for the occasional Damascus billet, but the only presses I can find information on are $4,000-5,000. Any suggestions for a more affordable press?
 
I know several that have started out with wood spliters. Not the best but price wise and make tools to go with it.
 
Good morning, Paxton and welcome.
Paxton Albright said:
I am a beginner blacksmith/ knife maker and am wanting to make Damascus steel.
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Be careful what you wish for. This is quite an expensive, slow, often frustrating but also rewarding journey you're undertaking.

My suggestion would be to locate and join your local blacksmiths organization and attend as many meetings as you can (when they resume), and while at the conferences, don't be shy. Volunteer to help set-up, clean-up, make yourself known to as many of the other attendees as possible. While this in and of itself is a good thing to do, the ulterior motive is to find someone who lives nearby that will allow you to come to their shop, use their tools, help them with their projects, and in the process, learn how to manipulate steel for your damascus. Offering to pay for at least your propane consumption is a good idea. In a few years, you'll have the added advantage of being able to offer to bring a six-pack to help offset the costs.;)
 
Not sure what the going prices are on the Coal Iron presses, but they're worth looking up.

Another thought, build a tire hammer or Rusty. They're less mechanically complex than a press, and will do many of the same jobs.
 
weo said:
Good morning, Paxton and welcome.

Be careful what you wish for. This is quite an expensive, slow, often frustrating but also rewarding journey you're undertaking.

My suggestion would be to locate and join your local blacksmiths organization and attend as many meetings as you can (when they resume), and while at the conferences, don't be shy. Volunteer to help set-up, clean-up, make yourself known to as many of the other attendees as possible. While this in and of itself is a good thing to do, the ulterior motive is to find someone who lives nearby that will allow you to come to their shop, use their tools, help them with their projects, and in the process, learn how to manipulate steel for your damascus. Offering to pay for at least your propane consumption is a good idea. In a few years, you'll have the added advantage of being able to offer to bring a six-pack to help offset the costs.;)
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I have been wanting to go to some of the meetings near me, but that has been a little difficult recently. I have been trying to practice and learn as much as i can on my own.
 
Paxton Albright said:
but that has been a little difficult recently
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I hear you, brother. All our conferences, hammer-ins, monthly mentoring center activities are shut down for the foreseeable future. I'm bummed because I was hoping/planning on picking up a new anvil at our spring conference this month....
 
As far as just general blacksmithing goes, check out Brian Brazeal's YouTube channel.

He's really one of the most efficient blacksmiths I've ever seen working, it's really quite amazing.

He does a lot of things that are unconventional, but man! you can't argue with his results!
 
A.McPherson said:
As far as just general blacksmithing goes, check out Brian Brazeal's YouTube channel.

He's really one of the most efficient blacksmiths I've ever seen working, it's really quite amazing.

He does a lot of things that are unconventional, but man! you can't argue with his results!
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Thanks. I'll have to check him out.
 
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