Thread: Beginners Forge? Any Thoughts?

Looks nice enough and not too expensive. Making your own is cheaper, but you have to wonder just how many hours are worth it to save 150$. I'd just buy it and start hammering instead of building my own.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Looks nice enough and not too expensive. Making your own is cheaper, but you have to wonder just how many hours are worth it to save 150$. I'd just buy it and start hammering instead of building my own.

Bruno! I was hoping that you'd chime in!!

I've researched about building my own but many of them seem 'hit and miss', I thought that this looks like a good deal!

That looks like a nice little forge. I was thinking of buying one but I am more the DIY kind of guy and have a lot of tools needing to be used. I haven't finished mine up yet but when I do I am going to make pixel a 24/8 near wedge with tangs on both ends. Ivory scales of course. :<0)

Originally Posted by Bruno

Looks nice enough and not too expensive. Making your own is cheaper, but you have to wonder just how many hours are worth it to save 150$. ...

This is a valid part of the decision to buy or build a forge. Time is expensive so are the tools to finish a build if you don't have them already.

My only caveat is that if you build it, you know how it was put together and can rebuild it or fix it if it breaks. OTOH forges are not all that complicated...

For what it's worth, having the right size forge is important in my opinion. A razor is a small object, and a small forge heats faster and uses less fuel.
A larger knife will need a large forge.
A sword can be mostly made in a small forge that has an opening at the rear. you only heat the part of the blade you are shaping. Then you need a large enough forge to heat the whole blade at once to go through your thermal treatments. Until that stage, the smaller forge works better to save fuel, heat faster, and avoid burning steel and/or losing too much carbon.
Simply put - the one you are looking at is good for what you want, or build one similar, or even a bit smaller.
Either way it is addictive. have fun.
Adam

I like the smaller forges for razors and knives. I have a 3" ( I don't remember what I made it from),4" made from a 10 lb propane tank and a 8" one made from a 20 lb propane tank. I like the 2 smaller forges the best.

That small forge looks good to me.


Just my 2¢

If you are only ever going to do razors that forge will fit the bill. However if you ever think you want to do larger projects or pattern welding or knives, ect, I would highly recommend building a forge. The purpose is not to save money on that particular forge but you can build other forges for other needs quickly, easily and cheaply once the first one is under your belt.