In the old days, almost anyone who needed a tool or product would make it themselves, or have a blacksmith make it for them. The blacksmith had a room called a forge where he worked, and there would be a fire constantly burning in the forge.
Setting up a blacksmith forge today isn’t really difficult as long as you plan it out. What tools are required? How big a room? What type of blacksmith forge do you need?
It can be a difficult choice to find a good blacksmith forge, since there are many things that you should think about before you buy one. A good forge can greatly improve your work, and will also make your life a lot easier, so it’s worth it to take your time to find the best forge for your needs.
In this article we’ll look at what to look for when choosing the best forge. We’ll be reviewing 5 forges, all of which have their own pros and cons. We’ve been reviewing products for quite a few years and our readers love our honest advice and reviews.
Let’s get started with our review: best blacksmith forge.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
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Hell’s Forge Portable Propane Forge
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Portable Propane Gas Forge
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Wood-fired Blacksmith Forge
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Double Burner Propane Forge
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Blacksmiths Single Burner Propane Forge
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Specification
| Finish: | 3000 degree ceramic exterior commercial paint |
| Material: | 1/8″ Roll form steel body |
| Shape: | Oval |
| Thickness: | 0.13 Inches |
| Power Source: | Gas-powered |
| Temperature Range: | 2300 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Hose Length: | 48 Inches |
| Handle Material: | Steel |
Features
- 2300 degree fahrenheit temp range
- Lightweight design
- Suitable for beginners
- Weight: 23 pounds
The Portable Propane Forge from Hell’s Forge has already been a smashing success and for good reason. It’s a portable forge that can easily be used almost anywhere you want.
A full forge forges a lot of metal quickly. If you work with blacksmithing or farrier or if you’re a hobbyist, you probably already know how useful a full-size forge is. This portable forge is so light you can take it anywhere with you.
WHAT WE LIKE
It’s easy to set up and pack down. Just fill the forge with propane from a standard tank, switch on the blower, light the burner and in just a few minutes you’ll have the hottest fire you’ve ever seen. The Portable Propane Forge from Hell’s Forge is an excellent tool.
The firebrick that comes with the unit is very impressive and works with no problems. We do wish it would come with one more brick simply to reach a temperature range even quicker.
At only 23 pounds, you’ll be able to transport this forge anywhere you want to. We also wish the hose were longer than 4 feet. 6.5 feet is the standard length these days.
We put the forge through its paces by using various metals in our tests. Nickel, copper, aluminum, steel, tin and others fell under the Hell’s Forge’s 2300 degrees of heat with no problems.
PROS
- Very easy and quick setup
- Perfect size to easily complete small projects
- 2300 degree Fahrenheit range is excellent
- Easy to transport and take anywhere
CONS
- Could use an extra fire brick
- Hose length a bit short
Specification
| Finish: | 1/8″ Thick Structural Square Steel Pipe |
| Material: | Steel |
| Shape: | Square |
| Thickness: | 0.15 Inches |
| Power Source: | Propane |
| Temperature Range: | 2600 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Hose Length: | 6.5 Feet |
| Handle Material: | Steel |
Features
- 2600 degree fahrenheit temp range
- SS-304 nozzle
- Weight: 24.7 pounds
Blacksmiths are some of the few people in the world who are honored for their ability to make objects from scratch. Many blacksmiths use the Simond Store portable propane gas forge to help them create the tools and equipment they need.
This is a single burner forge that you’ll find a breeze to use, and it works particularly well for blacksmiths who want to make knife blades.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Portable Propane Gas Forge is a true metalworking forge that is capable of reaching over 2600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Strangely, we did find the connecting hose to be of a larger diameter than the connectors, but it was easily remedied by some ring clamps we had lying around. Other than that, we found the Portable Propane Gas Forge capable of creating anything from handmade knives to blacksmithing tools and even horseshoes.
PROS
- Easy to assemble the forge
- Nice and compact size
- 3000 degree Fahrenheit range
CONS
- Connecting hose can be a bit chintzy
- The included air supply pipe comes a little larger than the connections
Specification
| Finish: | Steel |
| Material: | Steel |
| Shape: | Square |
| Thickness: | NA |
| Power Source: | Wood / Coal |
| Temperature Range: | 3000 degrees Fahrenheit temp range |
| Hose Length: | NA |
| Handle Material: | Steel |
Features
- 3000 degree fahrenheit temp range
- Uses coal or wood
- Adjustable firebed
- Weight: 110 pounds
The Wood-fired Blacksmith Forge -Fullsize can be used with charcoal or wood fuel. It is considered to be a true blacksmith’s forge, and is not built to weld with.
It is an all around great forge, perfect for forgings, and can really pack a punch. It comes with a useful hand crank and can be used with charcoal or wood fuel. It is fueled with either wood or charcoal, and can be run with forced air.
Although we have heard of lax assembly quality such as damaged welds and other quality issues, our test unit came without issue.
WHAT WE LIKE
We liked how the forge is designed. The hand crank worked very well, providing additional air/heat for our test materials. The wheels were very useful, able to go over a variety of surfaces. Having sloped sides, it’s really nice for fire management.
At 110 pounds, you probably won’t be traveling around much with the forge, nor should you need to. This is a forge you simply roll out when needed. The Wood-fired Blacksmith Forge -Fullsize performs like it says it will.
PROS
- Great quality hand crank
- Wood or coal use
- 3000 degree fahrenheit range
CONS
- Some users have experienced quality issues with their product
- Customers have also mentioned heating issues
Specification
| Finish: | 1/8″ Thick Structural Square Steel Pipe |
| Material: | SS-304 |
| Shape: | Oval |
| Thickness: | Not listed |
| Power Source: | Propane |
| Temperature Range: | 2600 degrees fahrenheit |
| Hose Length: | 6.5 Feet |
| Handle Material: | Steel |
Features
- 2600 degree Fahrenheit temp range
- Gas pressure regulator connection adaptable for different countries
- Weight: 30 pounds
If you have been looking for a top quality forge for your blacksmithing needs, then you might be interested in the Simond forge. Simond is a company that has been in the blacksmith industry for over a century.
Whether you need to buy a forge for commercial or personal use, Simond builds a great tool that can help you with making things like knives, horseshoes, or even weapons.
WHAT WE LIKE
Forged by Simond Store, the Double Burner Propane Forge Oval Knife Making is a compact, portable and efficient forging tool, which is powered by a standard 20 pound propane tank.
It is made with heavy-duty steel, has an operating temperature of up to 2600 degrees Fahrenheit, and can maintain a steady operating temperature with ease. The forge is perfect for making knives, tools for crafting, and even horseshoes.
PROS
- Nice and compact size
- 2600 degree Fahrenheit range
CONS
- Some buyers feel that the forge could use a better heat guard
- The universal regulator doesn’t fit all propane tanks
Specification
| Finish: | 1/8″ Thick Structural Square Steel Pipe |
| Material: | Mild Steel |
| Shape: | Square |
| Thickness: | ⅛ inch steel |
| Power Source: | Propane |
| Temperature Range: | 2600 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Hose Length: | 6.5 Feet |
| Handle Material: | Structural square steel |
Features
- 2600 degree fahrenheit temp range
- 1 inch thick ceramic fiber blanket
- Weight: 24.5 pounds
Blacksmiths are some of the few people in the world who are honored for their ability to make objects from scratch. Many blacksmiths use the Simond Store portable propane gas forge to help them create the tools and equipment they need.
WHAT WE LIKE
It is a single burner forge that is easy to use, and it works particularly well for blacksmiths who want to make knife blades.The refractory firebrick worked well with our test unit, heating up the forge quickly. This is due to the 1 inch thick ceramic fiber blanket.
The Simond Store Portable Propane Gas Forge is a metalworking forge that is capable of reaching over 2600 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a very good tool for creating anything from handmade knives to blacksmithing tools and even horseshoes.
PROS
- Assembly is very easy
- Heats very quickly
- 2600 degree fahrenheit range
CONS
- Regulator does not fit all standard propane tanks
- Customers have also mentioned heating issues, not getting up to proper temperature
Conclusion
Wrapping up, we hoped you enjoyed our review of the Best Blacksmith Forge. As you can tell, purchasing a forge really depends on your needs.
In choosing our champion for best forge, we used the following criteria:
- Ease of use – Can most skill levels use it?
- Temperature range – More specifically, how stable is the operating temperature?
- Transportability – Can you take your forge with you when you need to?
- Value – What accessories come with the unit to increase its usefulness?
All of our reviewed units performed quite well. In the end, the Hell’s Forge Portable Propane Forge emerges as our winner. The unit’s combined ease of use, temperature range, and setup put it above all the rest.
