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How Much Does An Anvil Cost?

So you want to buy an anvil, but you’re not sure what’s a fair price to pay. Anvil cost can vary quite a bit depending on age, size, manufacturer, and more. How much does an anvil cost? You used to be able to buy an anvil for $1 or $2 per pound, but those days are largely gone. Now a …

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Why Do Horses Need To Wear Horseshoes?

Out of all the animals, why do only horses need to wear shoes? Creating horseshoes has traditionally been a significant part of blacksmithing, so I thought it was relevant to discuss this topic. After all, the logo of my website prominently features a horseshoe! Why do horses need to wear horseshoes? Domestic horses live in very different environments on cold, …

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What’s The Difference Between Blacksmithing And Welding?

Blacksmithing and welding are just two of many different types of metalworking that people do today. They’re quite different professions, but they may also have more in common than you think. What’s the difference between blacksmithing and welding? A blacksmith uses a hammer and their anvil to shape metal. They use a forge to heat their metal to a hot …

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What Safety Equipment Do Blacksmiths Need To Use?

One of my wife’s biggest concerns when I started blacksmithing was safety. She wanted me to make sure that I was using all the safety equipment I needed to prevent myself from getting injured. What safety equipment do blacksmiths need to use? Blacksmiths can use basic personal protective equipment like safety glasses, a respirator, non-synthetic clothing, earplugs, and proper footwear …

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Why Blacksmiths Tap The Anvil With Their Hammer During Forging

If you’ve seen blacksmiths in a movie, or even if you’ve taken a course, you’ve probably seen someone tap their anvil with their hammer. What’s the deal with that? Why do blacksmiths tap the anvil with their hammer during forging? Blacksmiths might tap the anvil with their hammer for multiple reasons. Some do it to calibrate their grip and swing. …

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5 Tools Every Beginner Blacksmith Needs To Get Started

Getting started with blacksmithing isn’t all that hard. In fact, I’d say you can start with just 5 tools. What are the 5 tools every beginner blacksmith needs to get started? You’ll need a forge, an anvil, a hammer, tongs, and a vice. Most of these you can buy used or make yourself for just a few hundred dollars. One …

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How Do Blacksmiths Measure The Temperature Of Their Forge And Steel?

No matter what kind of metal you’re trying to forge, the process is basically the same. You need to heat your metal to a specific temperature where it becomes easy to shape. But how do blacksmiths measure temperature and know when their metal is hot enough to work with? How do blacksmiths measure the temperature of their forge or the …

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What Is The Function And Purpose of A Blacksmith Bellows?

Historically, the bellows was one of the most essential tools that a blacksmith had in his workshop. Without it, getting metal hot enough to bend and work with just wouldn’t have been possible. What is the function of a blacksmith bellows? A blacksmith uses a bellows to deliver a constant supply of oxygen to the fire. This helps with the …