Blacksmith Supplies

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. One of the most important tools are a blacksmiths tongs, and these tongs come in a wide variety of shapes and gripping heads so the blacksmith can choose the exact tong to fit what shape of metal he is working with that very day.
· Hand Hammers. Different sizes of hammers with variously shaped heads are available for the efficient and accurate creation of shapes. Most Blacksmith will have a number of hammers to use depending on what they are trying to achieve. Just like you have tools to help you get certain finishes on your walls at home, there are special finishing hammers that blacksmiths use to finish the metals and create a texture or wood grain look on the metal.
· 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 Blacksmiths supplies include a variety of shaping swages, punches and chisels which will reduce the time taken in the production process.
* There should always be 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. Every blacksmith should know this but since we are working with hot metal, fire, etc there needs to be at least a fire extinguisher in every shop if not 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.

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