Blacksmith Supplies Information

It is a common misconception that a blacksmith relies on his muscles, a forge and a hammer to create his products. The modern blacksmith is a high tech artisan who uses a variety of sophisticated and complex tools and equipment to produce intricate works of metal.  The modern forge shop is a sophisticated manufacturing unit where the old blacksmith in his leather apron and heavy hammer would feel out of place. Among the supplies available to the modern blacksmith are:

• Forges. While many blacksmiths prefer to make their own traditional coal coke fired forges, a range of traditionally fueled and gas or electric forges are available off the shelf. Besides standard designs n a variety of sizes, special forges for the manufacture of specific items, like a knife forge, are also available.
• Anvils. A range of anvils in a variety of sizes and shapes, designed for use in the creation of specific shapes are available. Using different shape specific anvils to create the desired shapes can both reduce the amount of work required in shaping as well as provide for better accuracy and fineness of finish.
• Tongs. In the case of tongs, one size does not fit all. Tongs of varied lengths and with differently designed gripping heads are available for not just lifting and holding the heated metal, but to make operations like turning, twisting and upsetting easier and more accurate.
• Hand Hammers. Different sizes of hammers with variously shaped heads are available for the efficient and accurate creation of shapes. Most blacksmiths will have a number of hammers to use depending on what they are trying to achieve. Besides the shaping hammers, there are also finishing hammers available with specially textured heads that can be used for creating special surface finishes such as a pebble texture or a wood grain look.
• Power Hammers. Besides the huge industrial size power hammers used in large factories, smaller power hammers of weights ranging from 25 to 500 pounds and above are available for the individual or artist blacksmith.
• Shaping and Cutting Tools. A modern blacksmith’s supplies include a variety of shaping swages, punches and chisels which will reduce the time taken in the production process.
• Safety Equipment. Working with hot metal can be dangerous and a good forge shop will be sully equipped with all the required safety supplies. These will include gloves, helmets, goggles and other protective equipment. The shop should also be equipped with fire extinguishers and perhaps even a sprinkler system. And, as in any manufacturing unit, a first aid box should always be available.
• Besides the supplies listed here, the modern blacksmith has the option of using painting, welding and a variety of other equipment, depending on what type of work he is doing.

The first blacksmiths often used their shops to make the tools they needed. While some still do this, there are a vast number of companies today that are dedicated to providing the modern blacksmith all the supplies he needs, from the simplest hammers to the most complex electronically controlled hammers and forges to allow him to use state of the art supplies to produce state of the art products.