I was wondering what a particular sword was called, I cannot find it after multiple searches. It looks to be a short sword that is “tongued”/ “forked”. It has two short points at the end of the blade. I believe it could be Egyptian or biblical but I think it looks beautiful just wondering if anyone knows what this could be

Hey yall! New to blacksmithing apart from watching shows and videos, learning, and a blacksmith experience in Mackinaw, MI.

Anyways, picked up this Trenton 150lb anvil for $80 at a yard sale. I believe it to be 1890-1900, the SN is hard to read. But just looking to get an idea of actual value, is it worth cleaning up with a wire wheel or something, and characteristics of the trenton anvil in regards to smithing. I have no intention of selling it, just want to know what i have.

I have done some research on Trenton anvil and all pictures or illustrations I found only show one hardie hole and one pritchel hole. But mine seems to have two pritchel holes. Is there a reason for that? Was there a particular year they had these?

Thanks!!

First thing first, gonna make some big staples for this anvil, may or may not work let's find out!

Future site of a bricked in forge.

Hi, I am a beginner that is trying to get into forging/ blacksmithing and I need advice on what sort of safety products/ rule along with guide on metal and tip of metals ?

If anyone has advice it would be gladly appreciated.

I’ve been smithing for the last couple of months with like a 16 gauge stainless steel sheet but I’m running out of it and I was wondering for the next sheet should I go thinner? Like 18 or maybe even 20 ? From my online research I hear mixed reviews stainless has proven difficult to smith but not impossible at 16 gauge

Just started classes last week. Here's something from yesterday.

TLDR: I'm currently on disability from my career and really want to get into blacksmithing, but have no space to work in.

Hello and thank you for reading my post. My name is Bo and I am looking for a workspace close to Red Deer that I can start seeing if blacksmithing is truly the wonderful career change that I feel it would be.

There are a few classes around but I can't afford them, I thought about sending out messages to the various businesses, offering grunt work for experience, but quickly realized that it would be rude to even ask.

If you know of a space in the area please let me know.

TIA

Is there any reason, other than cosmetic, to make a knife of any kind out of metal that isn’t steel? Just curious.

A free snake to whoever can guess what it'll be going on

I have this forge https://www.vevor.com/propane-gas-forge-c_11133/vevor-propane-forge-farrier-forge-single-burner-tool-knife-making-blacksmithing-p_010235184359 To start on but I don't really have anyone I know to ask about this stuff so I am asking you guys for some help/advice on stuff.

I have 2 questions

• what size propane tank do you guys recommend? A 40lb tank or future proof my setup by grabbing an 100lb tank now instead of later?
• The ceramic fiber was shipped pre-installed. I'm assuming I take it out very carefully with PPE and follow my rigidizer's instructions, correct?

All Advice is appreciated, I have plans to grab refractory cement after I've finished the rigidizer.

Hey, new and aspiring smith-to-be here. I'm trying to decide on a propane forge to buy. Priority is really just honest performance. I'd like one that can hit forge-welding temperature so I wont have to upgrade later on and can get some practice in. I've been looking into Mr. Volcano forges but heard they might be discontinued so that might be a bust. Majestic forges was a decent, albeit *ahem* pricier, option but had some negativity in some reviews so I wasn't quite sure. So I pose the question, what forge would you recommend based on performance? Im not very worried about price but also dont want it to be needlessly expensive and I dont particularly want to custom-build at the moment, but if it ends up being the best option I might forgoe the convenience of pre-built. I dont need anything huge or professional, but just something for smaller projects thats easy to work around, 1-2 burner type of size, maybe 3 if it was just particular stellar. I have played around with smithing using a single-burner melting furnace with limited success (mostly due to improper equipment, no anvil, etc.) and had a blast, looking to actually commit some time and get some results now though.
TLDR; What forge(s) would you recommend based on performance? Keep it under $650

Anybody have a recommendation for a good prescription safety glasses company? Safety glasses over my glasses just does not work.

Hey everyone! This is my first post in any group. I’m excited to start smithing, I just finished setting up my Mr.Volcano single port forge and I have some springs from an old cheap couch that I feel like would be good test metal to just start practicing hammer strikes. I was wondering if anyone knows if couch springs would be treated with anything that I definitely don’t want in my body? From what I’ve looked up sometimes they can be, does anyone know of any ways to test metals? Or should I just play it safe and get some rebar from the hardware store?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Getting into*

Help me out please