r/blacksmithing

A quick mother's Day plant hanger, forged from a railroad spike. First time making one with a bracket. I really like this simple design.

I've got this massive piece of S7, went to fire it, only to discover it has a HOLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LENGTH!

I have no power hammer. Just a breaker sledge and big arms. Trust it to forge weld as I draw it out? By the time I stretch it into a knife blade, will the hole even still exist? Maybe forge it side ways rather than long ways?

People got mad because some promo shots used AI backgrounds, so here’s the real stand with plain photos. No AI here. Just showing the actual build and details.

First time ever forging something. Took a rail road spike for practice and made a little Tanto knife. Have it a bit of a twist too. Learned TONS and can’t wait to keep practicing. Let me know what you would do better!

Thanks

This was my first time forging (did it at an experience day dunno if that’s cheating as I had someone guiding me)
But quite happy with how it came out, my plan is for an antler handle, any recommendations for good places to get them from in the UK? Or is anyone has one knocking about for sale?

Defo hooked and want to do more!

Beyond that C&C welcome!

What even is this fuckin thing, and how do I mount it? $115 US at the flea market.

I am interested in sword making and a grill like this seems it could make a decent starting point for a forge to learn on. What do you guys think?

I get demoralized ever few months when I try to get back into the hobby, and run into this same issue.
I’ve spent hours trying to do research and modify the forge to “work better” but I’m clearly too green to understand what’s wrong.

The forge basically does this constantly, sometimes a fire light up where the burner connects and I have to blow it out. Regardless, the forge never gets hot, even when I manage to get it to stop spitting and putting itself out.

How's this looking for a homemade dug in the ground forge? I've been playing with it the past week or 2 trying to get it right and my only major issue is clogging, but even that hasn't been too bad I just need to make a good poker for it, I usually go like 2-3 hours before it slows down majorly and needs a clean. I didn't vid the whole thing but I've got a chunk of stainless pipe sunk under it with a... grow house? Blower hooked up to a little generator (blower came from Amazon lol was looking for a cheap setup from a hairdryer)

So, my first attempt had some.... issues (https://www.reddit.com/r/blacksmithing/s/D9ttFNBdi5) but I believe I have fixed em.

Why? Because a mechanic friend of mine requested one, and I'm a lunatic of sorts.

I have never made one of these before, so I have some questions. Does it matter whether it's mild steel or carbon steel? If the latter case, should it be hardened? And what's the best way to shape/size the head? My plan was to get the chonkiest 10mm bolt head that I can find and use that as a mandrel, but is there a better way?

I know it's an unusual item, and I know that my skill level is not very high, so any input from somebody more experienced than me is welcomed.

Thanks in advance!

Ladle I’ve been working on ~40 hours of work into it as of right now. Thoughts and critiques?

I’m making a gyuto, sujihiki, and petty, and I can’t decide what wood to use for wa handles.
top-down:
Mahogany
Figured oak
Teak
Forgot the name
Walnut

Thanks:)

Almost finished with the Chef's knife, the wife calls these scales she made "Chaos Scales" so I'm calling it the Kaos Kitchen set. These are knives 003, 004 and 005. Want to try to sell them. What do you think I should price them at?