/r/Blacksmith

Photograph via snooOG

A subreddit dedicated to the ancient art of blacksmithing. Show off your latest creations or get advice on a problem.

A subreddit devoted to all things blacksmith. Feel free to show off your latest creations or get advice on a problem, or anything else related to blacksmithing!

Previous winners of our monthly contest!

January: /u/ArtistCeleste

February: /u/Karn3

March: /u/docroberts

April: /u/forge_lizard

May/June: /u/The_Brass_Dog


Please remember that any information/tips/tricks you get from this subreddit are not the end-all-be-all of blacksmithing. This is a multi-thousand year old trade and much of the information garnered from those times were lost during the industrial revolution. Do your own research to double check if you agree with the opinions stated here before following them.

This Sub now has a Discord Channel. Join it here.

Beginner? Read our FAQ and FAQ Discussion, And be sure to check out below.

WARNING!!! Read this before attempting any kind of forging.


Rules and guidelines for posting:

  • Please be considerate to others when posting/commenting. Blatant troll posts/comments will be removed.

  • Posts of YouTube videos, gifs, or images must include the beginnings of a discussion or a write up in the comments with a minimum of three sentences. Posts without a submission comment from the OP will be removed within 24 hours.

  • Obviously this sub is for blacksmithing related topics, so keep posts related to blacksmithing.

  • Blatant advertising and for sale posts are not allowed.

  • When reporting content, you MUST state WHY you reported it.

  • Any NSFW posts will be reviewed by the mods and may be removed based on our judgement of the value of the content.


Further resources:


  • Iforgeiron


  • Have an englishweight anvil? Try this nifty little tool from anvilfire to find out how much it weighs in lbs.


  • Dictionary from anvilfire for those hard to google terms.


  • ABANAs list of schools in North America

  • Appalachian Blacksmiths Association list of schools in the US


  • Books:

  • Basic Blacksmithing

  • Metallurgy for bladesmiths and others who heat treat and forge steel

  • The Blacksmith's Craft

  • Engineering Handbook (Lots of info about Metallurgy)


  • Projects


    Our friends:

    Skilled Trade Network: Metalwork

    /r/Blacksmith

    259,729 Subscribers

    0

    Newbie knife forging

    Me and my partner made knives this weekend and tempered them in the oven at home. Was told that they'd go straw coloured when they were done, but this is how they came out. Do they look alright? I'd like to sharpen them but don't want to break them whilst doing it

    0 Comments
    2023/05/31
    21:17 UTC

    4

    could i smelt red dirt into iron bloom?

    The dirt is very rich in iron where i live. You can literally pick up particles of dirt with a magnet...

    Could i somehow purify this ore, and smelt it into bloom? If yes, how?

    2 Comments
    2023/05/31
    20:15 UTC

    3

    What kind of coating for insulation of propane forge.

    What kind of coating should I use for the insulation here?

    9 Comments
    2023/05/31
    16:38 UTC

    135

    New worry stone

    Love the colors on this one.

    24 Comments
    2023/05/31
    13:56 UTC

    3

    Any tips for tumbler ? The goal is to remove scale

    10 Comments
    2023/05/31
    11:03 UTC

    72

    Stonewash bottle opener

    8 Comments
    2023/05/31
    11:02 UTC

    30

    What are these big, flat tongs called, and what are they used for? I’m buying a bunch of old tongs to fix, but I have no idea what these are.

    23 Comments
    2023/05/31
    10:41 UTC

    2

    What's a decent rounding hammer handle around about 16-18 inches for a 2.5 pound hammer?

    7 Comments
    2023/05/31
    08:26 UTC

    49

    1000 hole stainless cladding over 100 layer core to create a reverse raindrop pattern. Sounds complicated and difficult? It is my highest failure rate of anything I forge and the most time consuming but this one came out sweet

    5 Comments
    2023/05/31
    03:00 UTC

    3

    Blacksmith Discord?

    I am not sure if this has been asked before or not. I am new to blacksmithing are there any discord groups that exist for blacksmiths? Reddit is cool but discord is just more immediate?

    2 Comments
    2023/05/31
    02:31 UTC

    265

    Made myself some tools today. Really happy with my square stock tongs

    17 Comments
    2023/05/31
    01:43 UTC

    3

    When to reharden an axe?

    Hey all, I'm a novice Smith and I picked up an old bushaxe at a swap meet the other day. It's cast steel, and has enough chips and an uneven enough bevel to look like it's fresh out of a horror movie. Im currently putting a new bevel in by hand with a file and it's going in quick, a little too quick. I'm concerned that it might need to be rehardened, but I have no idea when it would be necessary and I can't find any info online. Any tests I can run to see?

    5 Comments
    2023/05/30
    20:27 UTC

    12

    Recently picked up this Canadian Blower and Forge Co. Blower, and would like any information on it if possible.

    It's not particularly large, probably suitable for a riveting forge or the like. Unfortunately I can't find much information at all just by searching online, so I was hoping someone here could help.

    7 Comments
    2023/05/30
    17:20 UTC

    30

    Mosaic Worry Stone

    Explosion pattern damascus(pattern welded steel) from Ryan Drobatz. What do you think?

    2 Comments
    2023/05/30
    14:09 UTC

    2

    Put some soapwater on the regulator of my propane tank and it started leaking at this spot. Is this normal or should i replace my regulator? The propane tank is 35kg. I was told by some people that this is normal because the pressure is too high in the bottle. But its always leaking so i'm worried.

    6 Comments
    2023/05/30
    13:23 UTC

    2

    Propane burner and hose

    I'm planning on makeing a paint can forge heated with a propane torch, but I don't know how hard it's going to be to find a hose that is compatible. Can anyone stear me in the right direction. (I'm in the UK if that changes anything)

    1 Comment
    2023/05/30
    11:16 UTC

    679

    First craft fair completed!

    Had my first craft fair this weekend and would highly recommend doing one if you're considering. I went in with no target of pricing or anything but more just for fun and both paid off well! And you get to meet some really cool people.

    36 Comments
    2023/05/30
    09:47 UTC

    2

    Getting started

    I’m a hobbyist boatbuilder, bowyer and spoon carver and I’m looking into getting into blacksmithing because custom tools to whatever specs I want sounds soo awesome and I’ve been wanting to do it for years now. Any resources and plans for forges? Thanks in advance.

    6 Comments
    2023/05/30
    01:58 UTC

    229

    Rate my setup, made everything myself. Cost me a total of €0

    Traintrack anvil, anvil stand made from a old H beam and som pipes filled with concrete. Forge made from propane tank, airflow from a boat pump. And to top it all off, a slag catcher made from a coockie can.

    37 Comments
    2023/05/29
    22:06 UTC

    31

    Forged Blacksmith Helper Stand

    5 Comments
    2023/05/29
    21:57 UTC

    1

    Setting up shop

    Hello, I'm currently trying to set up a new workshop around Canterbury (UK), I'm not sure where to start looking, I only need something small, hoping someone here can give some advice?

    Thanks

    2 Comments
    2023/05/29
    17:33 UTC

    5

    How to deal with hardened spots?

    Hello

    I'm scraping away at my sword with a file, but there are two small spots where the blade is hardened and the file just glides over. How do I work these spots? I don't want to anneal the blade again because I did once already and it started to warp like crazy, it took me hours to straighten it out. Is mechanical abrasive like angle grinder or belt sander the only way? I prefer a file because I feel more precise with it...

    7 Comments
    2023/05/29
    17:05 UTC

    228

    Explosion Pattern W.I.P.

    Mosaic “damascus” from Drobatz Blacksmith.

    8 Comments
    2023/05/29
    14:55 UTC

    2

    Is a Hero forge upgradeable??

    Hi newbie metal smasher here, want to know if it would be a good idea ro try to self upgrade my hero forge.

    What I want to do it and a thick layer of insulation, add a back Door, and add forced air to crank up the heat.

    My question is, is this advisable, I'm sure I can do it all just want to he sure it's safe, the forge is rate to 2800 but if I add air it would probably reach 3000 so i just want to make sure I won't melt my forge or cause a fire

    5 Comments
    2023/05/29
    02:43 UTC

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